The British Ineos Britannia team and the NYYC American Magic Patriot. Photo / Michael Craig
Follow all the live action from day one of the Prada Cup with AUT Screen Professor Mark Orams and follow the live commentary with PJ Montgomery below:
Everything you need to know before the Prada Cup:
After months of drama, controversy and preparation, the race for the America’s Cup will finally kick off with the Prada Cup kicking off.
Organized by the Challenger of Record, the Prada Cup Challenger Selection Series will be held in Auckland throughout January and February 2021 to determine which of the three challengers – Luna Rossa, Ineos Team UK and American Magic – will take on the defenders – Team New Zealand – in America’s Match The 36th Cup which starts on March 6.
The Prada Cup will consist of four round robins consisting of three races each, seven semifinal races and 13 final races between the two leading teams. Each win gets one point.
The highest ranked Challenger at the end of the round robins automatically qualifies for the Prada Cup final.
The remaining two teams will then compete in the semifinals of seven races and the first team to get four points will qualify for the Prada Cup final.
The Prada Cup Final will then determine the Challenger to face New Zealand Team in the America’s Cup Match and the winner of the newly minted Prada Cup trophy.
American Magic will head to the Prada Cup as bookies’ favorites following a fine performance at the World Series in December, where they are the only team to beat Team New Zealand in official races.
However, don’t miss Record Challenger Luna Rossa, who will bring a wealth of experience and experience to the regatta.
Meanwhile, Ineos Team UK, who have appeared winless at the World Series, also appear to be heading in the right direction if this week’s practice race is decisive.
SCHEDULE
There will be two races per day with a race window between 15.00 and 17.00, except for the final race where the race window is between 16.00 and 18.00.
ODD
TAB Odds – Prada Cup Winner:
American Magic – $ 1.75
Luna Rossa – $ 2.75
UK INEOS Team – $ 6
HOW TO WATCH AND STREAM
The Herald will have live updates at nzherald.co.nz/sport while you can listen to live commentary on Gold AM and iHeartRadio.
Coverage of the America’s Cup is free on tvNZ. You can also stream the action live or on demand on TVNZ.co.nz or on the America’s Cup YouTube channel.
If you’re in Auckland, you can also head to America’s Cup Race Village on the Viaduct Marina, where there will be a stage and a big screen to watch it in action. The village operates from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on race day and is accessible via the main entrance at the start of Hobson Wharf.
There are also plenty of options for watching live action around Auckland’s waterfront. Here is the best place to watch the action.
The racing officer will determine which path will be used on each race day.
Professor Mark Orams is a former New Zealand seafarer and world champion, member of the New Zealand Team, writer, environmentalist and Professor Sports and Recreation on Auckland University of Technology.
Towards a Cup race?
• Give yourself plenty of time and think about taking the ferry, train, or bus to watch the Cup.
• Make sure your AT HOP card is in your pocket. It’s the best way to ride.
• Don’t forget to scan the QR code with the NZ Covid Tracer app when taking public transportation and entering America’s Cup Village.
• For more ways to enjoy race day, visit at.govt.nz/americascup.