America's Cup Sails into New York City Harbor
Legendary international sailing competition, America’s Cup, will be held in New York City for the first time since 1920. The multiday event sponsored by Louis Vuitton brings a collection of the world’s best sailors, competing on foiling, wing sailed catamarans, in New York City’s iconic Hudson River.
During an interview with the FOX Business Network’s Mornings with Maria, America’s Cup CEO Sir Russell Coutts discussed the importance of bringing the racing circuit back into the New York harbor.
“I think it’s always been an objective to try and get the race back here [New York City], Coutts told the FOX Business Network’s Dagan McDowell. “Of course, it originated here in a way because a group of very influential New Yorkers challenged the business of British fleet and then brought the cup back here, named the cup after the other one.”
America’s Cup use to be raced out at sea, away from spectators and could only be viewed by boat. Now, the racing is set close to the shore, specifically along the Hudson River between Battery Park and the Statue of Liberty.
Coutts, a five-time world champion sailor, also discussed the athleticism and physicality involved in maneuvering such fast boats, with some even going faster than the wind.
“The sailors are real athletes. In fact, we put heart rate monitors on some of the sailors last time and two of the sailors, their heart rate didn’t drop below 180 beats per minute in the 25-minute race.”
The preliminary event is scheduled for May 7 and 8 and is one of six events planned during 2016 as six America’s Cup teams vie for points that count towards the final competition for the 35th America’s Cup in 2017.