Barcelona has become the world epicenter of sailing and during the months of September and October the Mediterranean city hosts the America’s Cup sailing tournament, considered the summit of international regattas.
Barcelona is the only city in the world that has hosted the three major sporting events: a soccer World Cup, the Olympic Games and now the 37th edition of the Copa América.
“It is the first time that this competition can be seen from the beachand this is thanks to Barcelona’s coastline, which deepens rapidly, which has allowed it to get closer to the coast. And it is free and open to everyone,” the vice president of the 37th edition of the Copa América, Aurora Catà, tells ‘Euronews’.
And many of the viewers think that It is best to watch the tournament from the water. “We have seen the America’s Cup regattas and it is really nice and well organized. It is the first time I have seen the America’s Cup live, so it is very exciting,” a spectator and classic boat sailor tells ‘Euronews’. Thomas Grahn.
Women participate for the first time in history
For the first time in history, a women’s team competes in the Copa América, scoring a significant milestone after 173 years of competition. According to the organizers, the tournament is also expected to generate €1.1 billion in direct and indirect revenue.
“The projected revenue is expected to be six times the initial public investmentan exceptionally high multiplier,” the director of the Foundation tells ‘Euronews’ Barcelona Nautical Capital, Ignasi Armengol.
Barcelona also hopes that the tournament will leave a long-term legacy in culture, education, sustainability and innovation.
“We have launched a project with Catalan shipyards that, for the first time, have produced a series of electric boats designed and built in Catalonia. They set sail every day and today they will also go out to watch the regattas. This helps us create an industrial hub in Catalonia, demonstrating that the decarbonization of the nautical industry is possible,” says Armengol.
However, not everyone in the city believes the event will have a significant, positive impact on residents. Various groups They have repeatedly protested against the privatization of public spaces for an event that they describe as “elitist.”
