As a nation, we might feel a tinge of disappointment that the America’s Cup isn’t being raced in our waters, but the Spanish have truly put on an impressive event. In a previous role, I attended the GSM World Congress in Barcelona each year, and I can confidently say that Barcelona knows how to stage a fantastic spectacle! The European time zone means that Europe, Africa, North America, and much of Asia can all stay awake and engaged with this thrilling competition.
The AC37 Media team has been refreshingly transparent with us—there’s been none of the usual “they own the rights, no one else can do anything” attitude. This America’s Cup, the organisers are focused on promoting the sponsors, the sport, and the event itself, rather than on restricting media access.
The visual quality, knowledgeable commentary, and timely delivery of media coverage are outstanding. The state-of-the-art on-screen graphics from Cap Gemini add a new dimension to viewing, while the real-time updates from Race Officials allow us to feel truly immersed in the action.
To put it in perspective, we have access to an AC37 media website where photo content is made available to accredited media. We can write articles and download pictures during the race, and the tools provided let us snap real-time images from the cameras covering the event—giving us both traditional photo stock and the ability to capture specific shots ourselves. The AC37 media team understands that content is king, and in this competition, they reign supreme!
This year, Boating New Zealand has the privilege of providing real-time reports of every race on our website. Combined with AC37’s visual content creation, our reports feature a full replay of the race (typically available about 30 minutes after it ends while being edited), so you can read our reports first thing in the morning and also watch a full replay of the race.
It’s clear that there are far more viewers watching the America’s Cup races than when the event was held in New Zealand. Despite the less favourable time zone for the Southern Hemisphere, at Boating New Zealand, we are committed to delivering race commentary and digests each night. I’m not entirely convinced, but perhaps the pride of hosting the race in New Zealand is surpassed by the knowledge that many more people are experiencing the event, potentially inspiring a new generation of sailors who could become our next America’s Cup heroes.
As a supporter of the America’s Cup, an avid sailor, and someone passionate about sailing, I have to give kudos to the organisers of the 37th America’s Cup—you are doing an incredible job!
Post Script Edit
This post was written & scheduled for your reading pleasure and interestingly AC37 media sent out a general release telling about innovation this year. Below is detail from AC37 on Innovations in this years Broadcast content:
Notable production innovations include:
- Filming in UHD HDR HLG 2020 and surround sound audio – both firsts for the America’s Cup – to bring viewers as close to the action as possible
- Up to 12 cameras per yacht plus helicopters and chase boats, including a foiling hydrogen powered camera boat developed by Emirates Team New Zealand
- Optical tracking technology delivers precise boat and camera location information to power graphics systems, allowing viewers the best live insights into racing
- WindSight IQ™ is an innovative turnkey solution designed, built and operated through a partnership between America’s Cup Media and Capgemini, combining their expertise in technology, engineering, data and design. WindSight IQ™ will feed the America’s Cup Media broadcast systems with real-time wind field visuals and AR/VR designs so that, for the first time ever, Armchair Admirals at home will know more about the course conditions than the sailors on the yachts
- Combined with yacht simulators,WindSight IQ™ also allows the production team to predict the optimal route for the yachts and to analyse the tactics and strategy that the teams used
- Brand new regatta management system for teams, race officials and umpires including a fleet of electric autonomous race marks that can reposition themselves during a race
- The official documentary of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup will premiere in 2025 and provide a unique insight into the lives of the competitors and their pursuit of the hardest trophy to win in world sport
