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J Class to hold 2024 World Championships in Barcelona in 2024

September 1, 2023

Image credit:

© Studio Borlenghi / Francesco Ferri.

No history of the America’s Cup is complete without mention of the J Class, the magnificent sloops that competed for the trophy in three editions between 1930 and 1937. Their grace and beauty reflected a time where a booming global economy brought some of the most colourful tycoons to compete for the oldest international sports trophy in the world. Names like Sir Thomas Lipton, Harold S Vanderbilt and Sir Thomas Sopwith graced a period that is known as the ‘Golden Age’ of the America’s Cup before the realities of the aftermath of the Second World War, saw the smaller, more affordable 12 Metre Class replace the J Class.

In modern times the J Class has thrived with owners either restoring or building new to old lines drawn but never constructed and to see one of the yachts in person is to witness sailing and racing at its very finest. With the America’s Cup in Barcelona in October 2024, the class have been welcomed by America’s Cup Events to host their World Championships between 7-11 th October 2024 with a practice regatta on the 3-4 th October 2024. The magnificent fleet have been allocated space in the Port Vell Harbour and will be a welcome sight for spectators and enthusiasts of the America’s Cup.

Speaking about the J Class coming to Barcelona, Grant Dalton, CEO of America’s Cup Events commented: “When the idea was first suggested, it was one of the easiest decisions ever to make. The J-Class are integral to the history, legend and fascination of the America’s Cup and we are very grateful to the Class Association and the Owners for taking the opportunity to host their World Championship in Barcelona at the time of the 37 th Match. Seeing those boats being raced just off the Barcelona waterfront will be a spectacle for everyone on the water or watching from the shoreline – we cannot wait to see them in action.”

The J Class fleet has grown in popularity in recent years and the fleet includes Topaz (J8), Ranger (J5), Svea (JS1), Velsheda (JK7), Shamrock V (JK3), Rainbow (JKZ1), Hanuman (JK6) and Lionheart (JH1). The Class Association is seeking a commitment from as many owners as possible with five confirmed to date and others working the America’s Cup into their busy global schedules.

Hosted by the Real Club Nàutic de Barcelona, situated right in the heart of the Port Vell, the club is looking forward to a fabulous J Class regatta in the city, with Jordi Puig, President of the Yacht Club saying: “T he opportunity to host the historic J Class for their World Championships in 2024 is something that myself and all the members of RCNB are immensely looking forward to. These yachts with their remarkable history both in the America’s Cup and into the modern era are one of the true wonders of the sailing world and will draw much attention when they arrive in Barcelona whilst acting as an integral part of the America’s Cup celebrations.”

Stuart Childerley, Class Secretary of the J Class, is delighted to be in the heart of the America’s Cup event in Barcelona 2024 saying: “ We are extremely grateful to Grant and his team for smoothing the passage to be included in the America’s Cup regatta where the DNA of our fleet essentially lies, and we look forward to playing a central part in the programme both on and off the water. The Owners and Class Association are excited to hold our World Championships in Barcelona which will be the highlight of our season after the Maxi Worlds in Porto Cervo during September 2024 and the Mahon regatta in May 2024. The boats will arrive to the Port Vell and be situated right in the heart of the superyacht basin giving spectators a fantastic opportunity to see these historic yachts up close.”

Details of the 2024 World Championships in Barcelona will shortly be available on the J-Class Association website www.jclassyachts.com and circulated to Owners and Owner’s Representatives in due course.

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You can be there.

Get involved with the  37th America’s Cup and watch the racing up close! Soak up the unique atmosphere of America’s Cup racing which promises to be fast, furious and tantalisingly close. 

In September & October 2024 Barcelona will be the beating heart of the sporting world as the America’s Cup comes to town. This is going to be an America’s Cup like no other, as Barcelona is one of the world’s finest cities. 

LV Yachting have put together an amazing package so you and your friends, family, clients or colleagues can be in the thick of the action and experience the racing with incredible access to the event both on the water and ashore. 

This phenomenal competition firmly places itself as one of the premier sailing, hospitality and social events of the year!

Get amongst the action and treat yourself to an America’s Cup spectacular like no other. 

The America's Cup - A world class sporting event

The America’s Cup, known as the oldest trophy in international sport, has fascinated sailing enthusiasts since its 1851 inception. Named after the winning yacht “America” in the first Round the Island Race, it symbolizes maritime excellence and innovation. Teams from different countries fiercely compete for the chance to challenge the defender in match races, showcasing cutting-edge sailing technology. Held in various global locations, the competition tests teams in diverse sailing conditions. The America’s Cup remains a thrilling spectacle, continually pushing the boundaries of yacht racing.

Louis Vuitton Challenger Selection Series

The Challenge Series is where the America’s Cup kicks into gear as teams compete against each other in a series of one-on-one match races to see who will earn the right to meet the defending champions in the America’s Cup match.

37th America's Cup Match

The 37th America’s Cup will be raced from 12 October 2024 as a first-to-seven-wins match-race series in Barcelona, Spain, between a yacht representing the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and a yacht representing the yacht club that wins the Louis Vuitton Challenger Selections Series

Youth and Puig Women’s America’s Cup

Both the Women’s and Youth America’s Cup regattas will be contested between 12 teams, split into two pools of six for an initial fleet racing series. Both pools will race a series of 6-9 fleet races with the top three teams from each pool progressing to the final series. A final series of 3-4 fleet races will decide the top two teams, who then go on to compete in a single match-race final to determine the overall winners of each event.

The Location

Barcelona, catalonia.

Barcelona, a captivating tourist hotspot on the northeastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula, seamlessly combines rich cultural heritage with contemporary vibrancy. The city boasts iconic architectural marvels by Antoni Gaudí, including the Sagrada Família and Park Güell, shaping its skyline. The historic Gothic Quarter adds timeless charm and La Rambla serves as a dynamic hub for shopping and dining.

Barcelona’s sun-kissed Mediterranean coastline features pristine beaches, complemented by a vibrant culinary scene at places like La Boqueria. The city is a multifaceted destination, offering a perfect blend of history, art, gastronomy and a welcoming atmosphere that captivates global travellers.

Marina Port Vell

Located in the heart of Barcelona, Marina Port Vell offers the perfect vantage point to immerse yourself in the whole America’s Cup experience. Stella will be situated in the buzzing Superyachts Marina in Marina Port Vell surrounded by the racing teams, the Race Village as well as the official Hospitality Area and the wonderful Barcelona Beach leading to Port Olimpic. This Marina boasts state-of-the-art facilities and is not only a functional harbour but also a bustling vibrant social hub.

The Yachts for the event

Swan 82 – ‘Stella’

Stella, a Swan 82 is recognised around the world as one of the greatest performance cruising yachts ever conceived. Newly refitted in 2024 Stella has a modern contemporary feel that is comparable to the very latest generation of Swan Yachts.

Stella offers a great platform to watch the racing but also the opportunity to intersperse the spectating with some relaxed sailing to give your guests an unrivalled experience.

Stella is equipped with a 5G wifi mesh network, widescreen smart TV and Bose Sound system. Allowing you to enjoy the live commentary and race analysis whilst watching the racing up close from on the water.

As part of the package on Stella you and your guests can enjoy some sailing of your own. Not quite at the same pace as the racing but still an opportunity many will enjoy. Take in the stunning views of Barcelona from a new perspective or enjoy some refreshments watching the famous fiery orange Spanish sunsets.

McConaghy 75 – ‘Jack’

The McConaghy 75 multihull is a lightweight, eco-friendly cruising multihull. The interior has a particularly apartment-like feel with an architectural personality offering a fantastic visual connection with the sea.

Jack is a true luxury Grand Prix style yacht with a multitude of innovative features. Consequently she has completely opening, all glass aft salon doors and giant sliding side salon windows. which means that whatver the conditons you can enjoy watching the America’s Cup in a completely open social platform with full protection from the elements.

Jack features a huge saloon lounge with a dining area and walk-around bar, a spacious aft deck with sofas and al fresco dining space, and cushioned sun pads forward of the superstructure.

Experience the timeless elegance of La Fenice, a 95-foot luxury motor yacht steeped in America’s Cup sailing history. Originally launched in 1962 to support Britain’s entry into the America’s Cup, La Fenice boasts a rich heritage.

Meticulously refurbished by the esteemed French design house Christian Liaigre, every detail of La Fenice exudes luxury and craftsmanship. From its rich natural materials to its impeccable design, La Fenice embodies a true masterpiece of engineering and design, ready to elevate your maritime experience.

La Fenice is available for hospitality and private charters during the America’s Cup and comes with an Axopar 37 foot chase boat to get even closer to the action. Our team will create a bespoke luxury experience for you and your guests to relax and enjoy this unique battle for the world’s oldest sporting trophy in the bay of Barcelona.

15m 1908 Gaff Cutter – ‘Mariska’

Mariska, constructed in 1908, stands as a stunning classic sailing yacht, stretching an impressive 77 feet. With a racing history in the 15m Class from 1908 to 1939, Mariska remains one of the most celebrated classic yachts. She’s earned numerous honors and had notable owners. After relocating to France, Mariska underwent a decade-long restoration. Now based in Slovenia, she’s been meticulously maintained since 2020, preserving her in impeccable condition. Today, Mariska graces the circuit once more, offering her timeless allure for charter, inviting guests to experience her elegant design and enduring beauty.

What's Included

• charter for up to 12 / 20 guests • professional crew to look after your every need • privileged viewing positions for the racing • premium berthing at marina port vell • choice of hospitality packages.

Compete in your own America’s Cup Race in Barcelona in a 12 MetreYacht

Charter French Kiss and South Australia, two 12 Metres that raced in the America’s cup in 1987 to experience your own America’s Cup match race.

Each yacht can take 8 guests and supported by 6 professionals you will go out training in the morning followed by an afternoon of match racing.

Pitch two teams against each other and offer them a distinctive experience where every team member plays a crucial role in the team’s performance. Strategy, tactics, racing expertise, and the involvement of each team member will determine the outcome, leading to victory for the best-performing boat.

Jack Griffin - Your personal guide to the America’s Cup

As a hospitality option we have lined up Jack Griffin, America Cup historian, commentator and author to join you on Stella to host you and your guests. Jack is an expert on everything America’s Cup and will be able to answer all your questions and fascinate you with interesting facts and details.

You might want to know about the racing, or the boats and technology. Maybe it’s the tradition that interests you; how it all started or maybe you’re fascinated by the money and glamour. Whatever it is Jack will be able to give you an enthralling insight into the America;’s Cup and the world that surrounds it.

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Yachting World

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37th America’s Cup to be raced in Barcelona

• Toby Heppell
• March 29, 2022

After months of delays a venue has finally been selected for the 37th America's Cup, which will see racing return to Europe for the first time in 14 years

Barcelona has been selected as the venue to host the 37th America’s Cup in 2024, it has been announced today, Tuesday 29th March 2022 by the Cup Defender, Emirates Team New Zealand and Challenger of Record, INEOS Britannia .

The process for selecting a venue has been a long and fraught one, with many options coming and going. Initially, the venue decision was delayed from its original scheduled announcement in September 2021. It then seemed likely the venue would be formally agreed in time for the 37th America’s Cup protocol announcement in November 2021. But both dates came and went with a commitment to a venue being announced by the end of March 2022.

The final selection of Barcelona makes this the first time a New Zealand team has chosen to defend a Cup win overseas and will likely cause some upset from sections of the New Zealand public.

Auckland had an exclusive period in which to tender for the 37th America’s Cup, but the sums on offer were not enough, and Emirates Team New Zealand CEO, Grant Dalton cast the net wider internationally after rejecting a NZ$99 million (£50 million) offer from the New Zealand government.

Since that time a number of different venues have been rumoured including: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Cork, Ireland; Malaga, Spain and a few others.

In the last couple of weeks, however, the rumours surrounding Barcelona as an option have grown stronger with Dalton having flown to Spain to meet with representatives of the hosting bid.

Spanish news outlet Cronica claimed recently that the city of Barcelona had been chosen to host the Cup and suggested that the city reached the agreement with a bid of 70 million Euro to secure the America’s Cup hosting deal.

The Barcelona money is believed to have come from a number of different sources, led by the Government of Catalonia.

(L to R) Ada Colau, Mayor of Barcelona. Pere Aragonés, President of the Government of Catalonia. Grant Dalton

“Barcelona really is one of the most recognised cities in the world so to have the ability to host the most recognised sailing event in the world is hugely exciting,” Dalton said. “As Defender of the America’s Cup, we have always felt the responsibility to grow the event, the audience, and the sport of sailing on a global scale and certainly having the event hosted in a significant city such as Barcelona will allow us to propel the growth trajectory on the global sporting stage.

When thinking ahead to the 37th America’s Cup and the AC75 ’s racing within a few hundred metres of the Barcelona beach, waterfront, and race village fan engagement zones it will be nothing less than spectacular.”

Barcelona, the venue for the 37th America’s Cup

INEOS Britannia Team Principal Sir Ben Ainslie said, “We are delighted the iconic city of Barcelona has been chosen to host the 37th America’s Cup. The historic weather data for Barcelona shows what a fantastic sailing venue it will be. The marina development and race area in Barcelona will offer excellent shore side facilities for the competing teams, alongside a great event village for fans of sports oldest international trophy to enjoy this iconic sporting event.”

Further details on the venue and 37th America’s Cup will be announced in due course. “Obviously all of this news is announced in the shadow of the unfathomable war in the Ukraine we are witnessing right now, which clearly puts everything in perspective for us”, said Dalton “We sincerely hope there is a rapid improvement in the situation, and we would like to send our strong message of support to the people in Ukraine during this period. We look forward to working in partnership with our Host Venue of Barcelona and announcing further details in due course.”

What the 37th America’s Cup Protocol means

The publication of the 37th America’s Cup Protocol has delivered an eagerly awaited blueprint for the next edition of the…

America’s Cup boats: How they work and why they’re unique

The AC75s, the America’s Cup boats currently racing in the Prada Cup and that will be used for next month’s…

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America’s Cup Barcelona 2024

Do you want to enjoy America’s Cup regattas from the sea? At Boat Trip we offer you the possibility to follow the regattas from one of our boats. Come and Join us now!

America's Cup 2024 Regattas

Match race final & third preliminary regattas.

The America’s Cup, often referred to as the “Auld Mug,” is the pinnacle of yachting, and in 2024, the world turned its gaze to the shimmering shores of Barcelona. As the oldest international sporting trophy, the America’s Cup has a history that spans over a century, and Barcelona’s selection as the host city added a touch of Mediterranean charm to this historic event.

Enjoy with us a day of racing from our boats.

The 37th America’s Cup

America’s Cup 2024

20 – 25 august : last regatta preliminary  barcelona, 29 – 11 september : louis vuitton cup – round rubin, 14 – 23 september: louis vuitton cup – semi final, 26 september – 7 octo ber :  final louis vuitton., 12 – 27 october : match race final louis vuitton..

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How long until the America's Cup Barcelona 2024?

• Start on 22 August 2024
• End: October 2024
• Place: Port Olimpic Barcelona
• Boats: AC75 y AC40
• Current Champion: Emirates Team New Zealand
• Confirmeds Teams: / Emirates Team New Zealand / INEOS Britannia / Alinghi Red Bull Racing (Suiza) / Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli (Italia) / NYYC American Magic

Enjoy the America's Cup from the sea

Without a doubt, the best way to enjoy the training, previous series and the regatta between the final contestants is from the sea. Boat Trip offers you different types of craft so that you can watch the race as close as possible: you will spend a chilled day at sea, enjoying your favourite sport and you will feel part of the competition.

Reserve your place

Enjoy the competition from one of our boats. Limited places available.

Reserve the boat as a private group.

America’s Cup for press

Discover how to cover the event from a very convenient position.

America’s Cup for the fans

If you are passionate about the sea and regattas, you are in the right place. Book a place on board one of our available boats and you will have the chance of watching the America’s Cup from the sea at a few metres distance. Hurry up as there are limited places available!

We also offer the option of booking our boats privately for groups. Are you interested?

If you are planning on covering the America’s Cup as press, we have got an ideal way of doing so: we will cover the event on board our RIB, allowing us to get closer to the contestants as well as getting better angles for photos, video providing the best results for your project.

When is the America’s Cup going to be hosted in Barcelona?

The celebration of the 37th America’s Cup is planned to be taking place between August and October 2024, although the training and first series will start in 2023, nevertheless Barcelona is already getting ready for organising this competition.

Port Vell in the city centre will be the base port for all the teams.

Event’s setup

The 37th America’s Cup will be divided in several races concluding with the Match in October. The preliminary regattas will be the warm up before the Challenger Selection Series. It is in this part where the final contestants will qualify for competing against the Defender for the final prize. In this edition, both the Women’s America’s Cup and the Youth America’s Cup will compete at the highest level, paving the way for the next generations of sailors.

Preliminary Regattas

There are up to three programmed preliminary regattas, the two first ones in the AC40 class and the last one, in Barcelona, in the AC75 class. The details of the rules, scores and conditions will be revealed closer to the date of the race.

Challenger Selection Series

September 2024

The Challenger Selection Series will determine what team will confront the current champion, Emirates Team New Zealand, in the America’s Cup Match. Consisting of a first phase, the Round Robin (league system) and a final phase. Depending on the number of contestants and the available time, Round Robin will be a simple or a double round. The two first teams will qualify for the final stage The winner will be the first Challenger to achieve a minimum of 6 points on the final stage.

America’s Cup Match

Starting on October 12, 2024.

In October 2024, the Defender Emirates Team New Zealand will face the Challenger Selection Series winner in a 13 regattas Match. Each regatta will be a match race between the two teams. Each regatta’s winner will add a point to their score The first team to get seven points will become the 37th America’s Cup Defender.

Youth & Women America’s Cup

September – October 2024

The Youth and Women’s America’s Cup will take place at the same location as the other regattas, along Barcelona’s coast line, during the final stages of the Challenger Selection Series and the start of the America’s Cup Match.

Both regattas will be contested between 12 teams divided in two groups of six for an initial fleet regatta. The first group will be formed by the teams competing in the America’s Cup. The second team will be formed by non directly involved nautical clubs that comply with the 37th America’s Cup rules of participation.

Both groups will participate in a series of 6 to 9 fleet regattas. The three best contestants of each group will get through to the final stage, consisting in 3 to 4 fleet regattas. Only the two best teams of this competition will reach the match-race to determine the absolute champion of their category.

Both competitions will be undertaken by a fleet of six monotype AC40s provided by the America’s Cup teams.

Opposite to what you would have thought, the name of this competition is not related to the continent where it was born, but to the name of the ship that won the first edition of this event. The first America’s Cup was celebrated in London on the 22nd of August 1881 due to the Great Exposition.

The America’s ship owner, John Cox Stevens, donated the trophy, a silver vase, to the New York’s yacht club with a requirement; that an international competition was created in the shape of a regatta and that the prize was that same trophy.

The event is programmed to take place during September and October 2024

All eyes will be on the sea, but for the duration of the regattas all the city will be focused on this sport event; if you are planning on following the races from the sea, you can choose some of the options we offer at Boat Trip, where the starting point will be el Port Olimpic. Also, Port Vell will be hosting all the big teams involved, and the area will be open for fans to visit and check out the boats that will be participating.

Currently, Emirates Team New Zealand is the holder of the trophy. This team will be based next to the press and the America’s Cup offices in the port.

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America's Cup 2024 Barcelona

37th america's cup august 2024.

The next edition of the America's Cup will take place in 2024 from August to October in Barcelona , Spain. The 2024 edition is the 37th in the history of the competition and will see the best sailors and sailing teams from around the world compete. Spain is no stranger to the America's Cup, having hosted the 32nd edition in Valencia in 2007. That edition was won by the Swiss team Alinghi, which beat the American defender, Oracle Team USA, in a series of races held in February 2007.  Barcelona was chosen as the venue for the competition because of its modern harbour and world-class sailing facilities, as well as its generally favourable climate for sailing from August to October. The team defending its title in 2024 is Emirates Team New Zealand.

Explore Barcelona in the run-up to the 2024 America's Cup!

America's cup experience ticket, uncover the history, rules, teams, tech and more...

> Discover the America's Cup teams and technology in the 2,500 m2 centre. > Immerse yourself in a multimedia gallery with 100 screens where you can discover the evolution of the competition. > Watch the film "One Hell of a Battle" in 4K on Europe's second largest screen.

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America's Cup 2024 Barcelona in video

The teams, the boats, and their locations in the port of Barcelona

The heart of the 2024 America's Cup will be located in Port Vell, practically in the centre of Barcelona. The race village will be located along the Moll de la Fusta and will provide a free and accessible experience for all, connecting people to the boats, the team bases, and the event.

Emirates Team New Zealand .  The Cup holder will be located in the extension of the Ramblas not far from the statue of Christopher Columbus on the promontory that leads to the World Trade Center where the media centre and the America's Cup Event offices are located.

INEOS Britannia .  As the Challenger of Record has opted for the coach park area opposite the existing superyacht docking facility adjacent to the IMAX.

 Alinghi Red Bull Racing  will be located near the Barcelona Aquarium and the Maremagnum shopping centre.

American Magic Team  will be located in the Marina Barcelona 92 facilities near the lively seafront promenade - a natural vantage point for the Cup races. Several fan zones are located in the same area of Barceloneta.

Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli  has opted for a base further away from the port. The Italians will be housed at the western end of the harbour entrance, just below the Barcelona Nautical Centre.

K-Challenge ,  the French team will be based on the Moll de Ponent. The area is on the other side of the busy port, west of the World Trade Center, in the current Grimaldi Lines dock.

Where is America's Cup race village in Barcelona?

America's Cup Village (Race Village) is located in Barcelona's Port Vell, along the Ronda Litoral at the Moll de la Fusta.

Address: Moll de la Fusta 08039 Barcelona, España

Metro : Drassanes, Barceloneta.

Major architectural works by 2014

Port Vell and the Olympic Port of Barcelona are already undergoing a transformation in preparation for the great competition that will be the America's Cup. As with the 1992 Olympic Games, Barcelona is being transformed once again.

The Olympic Port has begun a long transformation that will end in the summer of 2024.

A new marina will be built with a brand new Olympic Port with a refined and luminous architecture that is even more oriented towards the sea and more ecological. On the agenda: a 24,000 square metre space, 11 restaurants, gourmet areas, a new Moll de Gregal with a great new design.

Barcelona to host 2023 Rolex TP52 World Championship

The 2023 Rolex TP52 World Championship will be contested on the 37th America’s Cup racing waters off Barcelona during the week August 21 – 26 when Doug DeVos’ Quantum Racing powered by American Magic will seek to defend the world title they won this year in Cascais.

It is the first time that the Rolex TP52 World Championship will be held in the Catalan capital city, following recent years in Scarlino, Menorca, Cascais and Puerto Portals, Mallorca. The event will be hosted by the Club Nàutic Vilassar de Mar and run out of the Marina Vela facility which is adjacent to the iconic W Hotel.

Racing in late August should see the fleet enjoying varied conditions, hopefully mainly in the famous southwesterly Garbi sea breeze which usually blows around 11-12 knots and sometimes up to 18 knots in the summer months.

“It is exciting to look forwards to the Rolex TP52 World Championship Barcelona and the prospect of bringing our teams together in the city which is becoming the focal point for sailing’s pinnacle events and it is great to be going to a new venue to contest the world title,” said 52 SUPER SERIES CEO, Agustin Zulueta.

“Having the support of a Yacht Club like Vilassar guarantees the perfect organization of a sporting event of this level. The Vilassar Yacht club has a long experience in organising sporting events. All the 52 SUPER SERIES organising team and our board of directors very motivated and enthusiastic to deliver an excellent world championship.”

Jesús Majem Tarruella, president of the Club Nàutic Vilassar de Marn commented:

“For the Club Nàutic Vilassar de Mar to join the list of prestigious clubs that have hosted 52 Super Series events and especially the Rolex TP52 World Championship consolidates our fundamental role in promoting the sport of sailing in our country, which we began more than 60 years ago, during which we have trained great sailors and have participated in the organization of large events and regattas. Participating as the organising Club in the next event in August 2023 in Barcelona will be a great opportunity to continue working on our goal of continuing to give visibility and importance to the sport of sailing.”

Main image © Nico Martínez

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A pretty special day for Alinghi Red Bull Racing as the team recorded their 100th day of sailing in ‘BoatZero’ in Barcelona with a stunning performance from the sailors that mirrored the brilliance they displayed yesterday in similar conditions. With a strong south-westerly greeting the Swiss, with gusts at first up to some 27 knots, this was a session of high intensity where the Flight Controllers showed maturity and skill in keeping the AC75 low and fast, often using double boards in the pre-starts, and the helms put on another masterclass of accuracy.

Alinghi Red Bull Racing divide their sailing team into ‘Driving Group’ and ‘Power Group’ but today they were utterly unified and with such a milestone day, it’s worth looking back at early videos to really assess just how far the team have come. Back in January and February 2023, in similar conditions, the majority of manoeuvres were ‘touch & go’ with a real, but totally understandable, hesitancy. Ride height and pitch were erratic. Sail trim felt dis-connected from front to back.

Fast forward to the end of October 2023 and it’s a very changed scenario. ‘BoatZero’ looks like a completely different vessel, staffed by sailors showing their hard-won talent and techniques with consummate confidence. Manoeuvres are executed with commitment, mark-roundings are a lesson in co-ordination and the sail trim is pure symmetry in action. Ride height is precise – low and fast – with the ability to dictate according to conditions and unafraid to ride high downwind or around marks. It’s impressive to watch and whilst much credit goes to the sailing team, equal praise can be shared around from the coaches through to the shore and chase teams. Ernesto Bertarelli, the founder of the syndicate, must be very pleased with what he’s seeing his team achieve.

Alinghi Red Bull Racing’s young team have come so, so far and on a day like today in Barcelona, with flat water and a solid, building breeze they could push on, perform the drills and look tasty whilst doing it. Yesterday they sailed very well. Today they capitalised and laid down a serious marker of intent for the upcoming racing in 2024 with all eyes on the Louis Vuitton Cup in August.

The thirst for learning goes on though with the team who retain a real humility and passion about how they operate. Felipe Portilla, one of the Swiss team’s electronics engineers summed it up perfectly afterwards saying: “We are focused on trying to capture as much data as we can from the boat for the conditions in Barcelona so I guess in the future we have to be ready for what can happen in next year because at the end we are going to have these conditions so I would say that every day is a learning day so we will try to apply that to the boat…every single day is new and different for us here. In Barcelona the conditions are completely different every day and the designers and us are learning from that and then we will apply that.”

Docking out today just before 11.30am, the team were quickly into their warm-up drills setting the smaller M2 mainsail and J3 jib and beginning the session sat in displacement preparing for flight. Crew-work looked tight from the outset with a smooth flight in a breeze that struggled above 6 knots and, in those conditions, the legacy Emirates Team New Zealand T-foil on the starboard wing arm is always favoured for take-off. Once launched, they never looked back and after a quick stop, the pedal was pressed to the floor with an upwind and downwind that saw speeds well into the high forty-knot barrier on a super low ride with BoatZero hugging the surface and looking powerful. Notable were the wide cant angles that induce the low ride and an upwind trim that saw the jib almost on the centreline whilst the mainsail traveller was regularly above with a beautifully cambered sail-shape.

As is usual in Barcelona, the south-westerly picked-up just before 1pm and the call was made to skip code and drop down to the very manageable J5 jib which places even more emphasis on mainsail control for de-powering. Now the skins were being trimmed heavily on the cunningham and mainsheet to induce a much flatter profile that in the lulls looked almost over-done. The Chase team had thrown in marks and a starting gate and it’s here where the team came alive.

Arnaud Psarofaghis and Maxime Bachelin’s time-on-distance was almost perfect start after start and the team practiced the two-board entry to the starting box when coming in on port – something that we will see a lot more of in breeze above 12 knots when we get to the Louis Vuitton Cup next year. The two boards immersed gives the helms so many options and Alinghi Red Bull Racing, although shadow-boxing against an imaginary opposition, very much looked like there might have been a computer system dictating the playbook in those pre-starts. Once away from the line, the team were into quick boundary tacks, ‘JK’ moves around the leeward mark (again with two-boards down) and looked super in-control despite gusts at times that were later said to be some 27 knots.

An unspecified issue, assumed to be with the hydraulic system owing to the aggressive cants the team were exploring today, brought the session to a halt with technicians onboard and soon afterwards at just before 2pm sails were lowered, and the team towed back to base in the Port Vell.

Looking back on the stats on this, the 100 th  day of ‘BoatZero’ and the coaches can be happy with 100% foil-to-foil over 13 gybes and 20 out of 22 tacks also being foil-to-foil – a superb way to mark a milestone day for the whole Alinghi Red Bull Racing team.

On-Water Recon Unit Report – Alinghi Red Bull Racing:  The Alinghi Red Bull Racing team demonstrated their technique, sailing around a racecourse on a puffy and gusty day. The team rolled out their AC75 at 9:00h. The yacht was craned in, and the usual pre-sailing checks were carried out, with engineers onboard testing the hydraulics.

The team docked out at 11:00h, hoisting the M2-2 mainsail and the J3-3 headsail inside the port and being towed out by 11:23h. The wind conditions outside were 6 knots from 290º and more of a flat sea state with some clouds all over the sky. The sailors started sailing in displacement mode by the port entrance, following by the first take-off on their starboard foil and a quick touch down, the gusts and the puffy wind was not making it easy.

At 11:38h, they did a long upwind-downwind at a blistering 45 knots and stopped by the marker buoy that the team placed. The wind increased rapidly and also the sea state with short little waves.

At 12:00h, with a tow line, they changed the headsail configuration, dropping the J3-3 and hoisting the J5-1. At 12:17h, the wind shifted and the breeze decreased 7-9 knots while they sailed around the mark. Following the same pattern as yesterday, they foiled at pace testing different settings and cant angles. Next, they practised pre-start procedures and trained around a 4 nautical miles leg course.

At 13:45h, they had an unexpected problem onboard and after fifteen minutes the team decided to lower the sails and tow the yacht back into the base, where they docked in by 14:20h.

The team covered a total of 45 nautical miles over almost three hours on the water, 75min were spend sailing with 35 manoeuvres performed, 91% fully foiling.

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BARCELONA TO HOST 37TH AMERICA'S CUP IN 2024

Emirates Team New Zealand and the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron are pleased to announce Barcelona, in the region of Catalonia as the Host Venue for the 37th America’s Cup to be held in September and October of 2024.

A mixture of history and modernity, Barcelona is one of the most iconic and attractive cities in the world and will become the first venue in the world to host both an Olympic Games and an America’s Cup event. 

America’s Cup Defender Emirates Team New Zealand CEO Grant Dalton is delighted to announce Barcelona as the Host Venue after a long and competitive venue selection process.  “Barcelona really is one of the most recognised cities in the world so to have the ability to host the most recognised sailing event in the world is hugely exciting. As Defender of the America’s Cup, we have always felt the responsibility to grow the event, the audience, and the sport of sailing on a global scale and certainly having the event hosted in a significant city such as Barcelona will allow us to propel the growth trajectory on the global sporting stage.  When thinking ahead to the 37th America’s Cup and the AC75’s racing within a few hundred metres of the Barcelona beach, waterfront, and race village fan engagement zones it will be nothing less than spectacular.”

Barcelona is a leading city in terms of sustainability and social impact with ambitions to become Europe’s digital and tech capital, so the alignment with the America’s Cup is clear.  Its existing world class facilities for racing, team bases, technical infrastructure, superyachts, and areas for the America’s Cup event village to host fans, hospitality, and media as well as an average wind range of 9-15 knots during the September and October race window, made the city completely fit for purpose.

Barcelona’s bid saw an unprecedented alliance across public and private entities working together to attract the America’s Cup to Barcelona which included the Government of Catalonia, Barcelona City Council, City Hall of Barcelona, Port of Barcelona, Barcelona Global’s investment agency and Barcelona & Partners, a non-profit initiative composed of more than 200 of the city’s leading institutions aiming to make Barcelona one of the world’s best cities for talent and economic activity.

The president of the Generalitat de Catalunya, Pere Aragonés, explained that the celebration of the  America's Cup in Barcelona is excellent news for the city and for the whole country, "It is an historic sporting event, which has a great projection worldwide at an international level, economically and for tourism”.  “The America’s Cup is not just an isolated sporting activity and offers significantly more than that to the Host Venue. It is an event that it will generate a return across many platforms over years and will leave a very important legacy for Catalonia. I am very satisfied because for the first time, the America’s Cup will also include a specific Women’s America’s Cup regatta in Barcelona.”

(L to R) Ada Colau, Mayor of Barcelona. Pere Aragonés, President of the Government of Catalonia. Grant Dalton

The Mayor of the city of Barcelona, Ada Colau, celebrated the election of Barcelona as the venue for the 37th edition of the America's Cup, the oldest sailing race, "It is great news for Barcelona! This should serve to promote the city to the world after the pandemic, to benefit Barcelona’s tradition of this sport in a city by the sea and in addition, to boost the emerging sector of innovation and technology, linked to nautical activities. I want to thank all the public and private institutions for their support and complicity in this project”.

Damiá Calvet, the president of the Port of Barcelona, an integral part of the successful Barcelona bid, said "We have made Port Vell available to the city and the country to be able to celebrate an America's Cup that projects Barcelona to the world and that has innovation and sustainability as its flagship. We will make the most of the infrastructures that we already have, we will boost the economy and employment and finally, we will leave an enduring legacy".

(L to R) Roger Torrent, Minister of Business & Labour of the Government of Catalonia. Grant Dalton. Damiá Calvet, President of the Port of Barcelona

A fundamental approach that not only Barcelona, but all the shortlisted venues, brought to the table was clear ambition to partner with the America’s Cup Event in delivering the best America’s Cup ever across all aspects of the Cup; infrastructure, a true partnership approach, organisation and world class facilities. Combined with their drive into a more sustainable and innovative future via hydrogen marine technology, Barcelona is the perfect place to hold the first ever Women’s America’s Cup and the Youth America’s Cup.

  (L to R) Eduardo Torres, President of Tourisme de Barcelona. Angel Garcia, CEO, Barcelona & Partners. Grant Dalton. Roger Torrent, Minister of Business & Labour of the Government of Catalonia. Pere Aragonés, President of the Government of Catalonia. Ada Colau, Mayor of Barcelona. Jaume Collboni, First Deputy Mayor of Barcelona City Council. Daniel Puig, Consortium of Private Investors. Damiá Calvet, President of the Port of Barcelona. Aurora Cata, President, Barcelona Global. Matteo de Nora, Team Principal.

As current holder and Trustee of the America’s Cup, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron is looking forward to continued success for New Zealand sailing and growth of the America’s Cup and welcomes the announcement of Barcelona as the venue for the 37th America’s Cup Match.  “Barcelona holds a very special place in New Zealand’s sailing history and we remember with pride the success of our 1992 Olympic Games sailing team and four medal result”, said Commodore of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron Aaron Young.  “Barcelona will be a stunning venue for the America’s Cup racing and the Women’s and Youth regattas, and we look forward to defending the America’s Cup there in 2024 as we work to promote and grow the sport of sailing around the world. There are also significant opportunities for our New Zealand marine industry, trade and sailors. Our members will enjoy exclusive benefits and travel options to Barcelona, and we anticipate a large delegation of Club members travelling in support of our Team in 2024”.

Integral to the organisation of the 37th America’s Cup is the Challenger of Record INEOS Britannia and the Royal Yacht Squadron Ltd who have played an important part in setting the foundations of the next edition of the oldest trophy in international sport. INEOS Britannia Team Principal Sir Ben Ainslie said, “We are delighted the iconic city of Barcelona has been chosen to host the 37th America’s Cup. The historic weather data for Barcelona shows what a fantastic sailing venue it will be.  The marina development and race area in Barcelona will offer excellent shore side facilities for the competing teams, alongside a great event village for fans of sports oldest international trophy to enjoy this iconic sporting event.

For 30 years Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei have been proud iwi manaaki and close partners of Emirates Team New Zealand and their America’s Cup endeavours both at home and off shore and are looking forward to helping the team promote New Zealand and its culture in Barcelona and the opportunities the 37th America’s Cup provides being hosted in Europe.  “Wawaratia ngā tai rere. Through this relationship we have had great satisfaction in sharing our manaakitanga with manuhiri visiting our shores here in Tāmaki Makaurau” said Marama Royal, Chair, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust.  “We’ve also experienced immense pride in sharing the Māori culture and the best of Aotearoa’s innovation and warm kiwi nature when representing the New Zealand story off shore. The America’s Cup event is about both acknowledging the past and looking to future opportunities for Aotearoa so we look forward to our ongoing role as kaitiaki to the team and helping promote New Zealand’s unique culture in Barcelona and on the world stage in 2024 right alongside Emirates Team New Zealand.”

In the process of working with the prospective host cities around the world, Emirates Team New Zealand together with Origin Sports Group, have been overwhelmed with the response and ambition of the venues towards the America’s Cup.  “I must acknowledge the absolute commitment of the other final host city candidates, Cork in Ireland, Jeddah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Malaga in Spain and all of the phenomenal people that were behind the bids putting in so much effort to illustrate the exciting vision for their cities and for the America’s Cup. But in the end a difficult decision had to be made to select only one.” said Grant Dalton.

Further details on the venue and 37th America’s Cup will be announced in due course.  “Obviously all of this news is announced in the shadow of the unfathomable war in the Ukraine we are witnessing right now, which clearly puts everything in perspective for us”, said Dalton  “We sincerely hope there is a rapid improvement in the situation, and we would like to send our strong message of support to the people in Ukraine during this period. We look forward to working in partnership with our Host Venue of Barcelona and announcing further details in due course.”

INEOS launch "Britannia" boat for 37th America's Cup

Posted: May 18, 2024 | Last updated: May 18, 2024

INEOS Britannia, the British America's Cup team led by Jim Ratcliffe and Ben Ainslie, launch their AC75 race boat Britannia at an official naming ceremony in Barcelona.

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How Jude Bellingham's stoppage-time El Clasico winner extended Real Madrid's La Liga lead over Barcelona

El Clasico result: Real Madrid 3-2 Barcelona

• 6': Christensen headed Barcelona into an early lead on a corner.
• 18': Vinicius Jr scored a penalty after Cubarsi fouled Vazquez in the box.
• 28': VAR declined to award Yamal a goal after a goal-line save by Lunin.
• 45+6': De Jong left the match on a stretcher after injuring his ankle.
• 69': Fermin tapped home to give Barca a 2-1 lead.
• 73': Lucas Vazquez slammed home an equaliser for Real Madrid .
• 90+1': Bellingham scored to give Madrid their first lead of the game.

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Where does this result leave the title race?

Barcelona realistically had to take all three points to keep their faint hopes of defending their La Liga crown alive. Even (what looked like being) a spirited draw would have felt like an anti-climactic fizzling out to their late-season revival.

Bellingham’s late strike looks like the crushing blow that will bring an inconsistent season, and Xavi’s tumultuous reign as manager, to a brutal and trophy-less close.

Read on at the link below

Real Madrid 3 Barcelona 2 – Yamal’s ‘ghost goal’, Bellingham’s El Clasico winner – The Briefing

Bellingham’s big moment

A 2-2 draw would have suited Real Madrid fine, but it was perhaps inevitable that Jude Bellingham would break his scoring drought against his side’s great rivals. He ghosted in unmarked in stoppage time to get on the end of Lucas Vazquez’s low cross — as if Barca’s defenders had forgotten he could score — and sent a shot high into the net.

Cue that celebration, which Madrid fans will surely have missed since February.

Xavi’s big call on Lewandowski

Getty Images

Xavi kept saying pre-game that this was “the most important game of the season”.

So the Barca coach must have been frustrated after his team had gone ahead early, only for a basic error by left-back Joao Cancelo to allow Vazquez in behind him, which led directly to Madrid’s equaliser from the penalty spot by Vinicius Jr.

Xavi’s thoughts on his squad also seemed clear when he withdrew the team’s senior goalscorer, Lewandowski, with the score at 1-1 and with 30 minutes remaining.

Barca’s high-press gamble

Neither team could wrestle control in a scattergun first half, both sides loose in possession and porous in their high press. It was Barcelona’s riskier out-of-possession approach, however, that provided them with a foothold in the game and their most effective route to the byline.

Xavi’s side were threatening from set pieces and they won their first of the game from a Madrid goal kick. With Ilkay Gundogan stationed high to man-mark Toni Kroos, the conductor could not receive the ball and dictate play from deep. Christensen also stuck to Bellingham tightly, while De Jong kept an eye on Luka Modric in a deeper position.

Did Yamal score?

Barcelona thought they had gone 2-1 ahead when Yamal’s near-post flick at a corner arrowed the ball towards goal. Lunin got across to shovel it out, but the impression watching — and Barca’s players shared it — was that the ball had crossed the line and 16-year-old Yamal had added ‘youngest Clasico goalscorer’ to his already long list of records.

However, that could not be proven, as unlike most other big leagues, La Liga does not have goal-line technology. After a VAR check — broadcast pictures only showed two angles from which it was impossible to tell for sure — the score stayed at 1-1.

Lunin’s flappy start

The Athletic

Andriy Lunin’s emergence has been one of the stories of the season for Real Madrid. The Ukrainian goalkeeper has stepped up in Thibaut Courtois’ absence through injury, as illustrated by his fine penalty shootout performance against Manchester City in midweek.

But his showing here was proof of the pressure that comes with being Madrid’s No 1. Lunin was shaky in the opening stages, clearing straight to Raphinha when Robert Lewandowski put him under pressure and then producing the error that led to Barca’s opening goal in the sixth minute. Raphinha swung in a corner and Lunin flapped at it, allowing Christensen to head into an empty net.

Madrid’s fancy new TV

Works on Real Madrid’s renovation of their Santiago Bernabeu stadium are still not quite finished, but we did see the new 360-degree video screens around the ground in action for the first time.

Ancelotti praises 'impressive' Bernabeu renovation

Another big result in Real Madrid's fancy new Bernabeu. The changes made to the stadium have not been lost on Ancelotti.

"The stadium is spectacular, with a spectacular atmosphere," he said. "This is a stadium that has given us and will give us a lot of points.

"It's a stadium that pushes and a fan base that has the same enthusiasm and the same desire as us. This connection allows us to always get the best out of ourselves."

Vazquez on Bellingham celebration and MVP choice

Lucas Vazquez and Bellingham combined for Real Madrid's winning goal and marked it with a dance that had clearly been rehearsed.

"(It's) a very cool photo," said Vazquez. "We've done that celebration at some training session and today was the right moment."

He then gave his opinion on which player should win La Liga's Player of the Season award.

"It has to be between Jude and Vini," he said. "They're both spectacular, maybe the surprise with Jude will tip the balance."

A great way to bring up 250 Real Madrid appearances

Tonight marked Federico Valverde's 250th appearance in the white of Real Madrid.

Not a bad way to bring up such a significant milestone for the Uruguayan!

Ancelotti: Bellingham played a big game

And who else but Jude Bellingham to pop up with the winning goal?

"He came to us at the right time," said Ancelotti. "He played a big game today with a lot of effort. He hadn't score for a while but he scored a goal that can help us win the title."

Only one team has beaten Real Madrid this season

• Real Madrid have now won four straight meetings with Barcelona in all competitions, including three this season. It's just the fifth time that Madrid have won at least three Clasicos in a single season, and the first since 2012-13.
• Real Madrid are now unbeaten in their last 26 La Liga matches, four shy of the longest run in club history.
• Atletico Madrid remains the only team to have beaten Real Madrid in any competition this season with Diego Simeone's side beating their city rivals in La Liga and the Copa del Rey.

Bellingham praises Lucas Vazquez

Jude Bellingham may have scored the winning goal today, but he's taken to X to heap praise on his team-mate Lucas Vazquez, who won a penalty and scored a goal of his own before setting up the winner.

It's a big step towards winning the league, says Ancelotti

11 points is an almost insurmountable gap to breach for Barcelona, something Ancelotti is very aware of.

"It's a big step towards winning the league," he said. "We have a big advantage now, but we need to win more points. And we have to prepare for the Champions League as well."

He was then asked about Vinicius Jr's unhappy reaction to being substituted in the second half.

"Vinicius didn't like being replaced because he wanted to continue, but he has shown a big effort," continued Ancelotti. "We have asked him to defend, to work for the team and they (the forwards) are the ones that cover more ground.

"They have speed, they run hard, they always want to attack so they use a lot of energy. I understand that he wanted to keep playing, but we needed fresh legs."

Ancelotti: 'Everyone has their own opinion'

Ancelotti did not allow himself to get drawn into an argument with Xavi over the controversial decisions in the match.

"I don't want to talk about what Xavi thinks, everyone has their own opinion," said the Real Madrid boss. "I want to analyse the game. It was an evenly matched game. Barcelona had their moments and we had our moments as well.

"We used all of our energy at the end to increase our lead in the table."

'Huge injustice' – Xavi addresses controversial decisions

While emphasising that he did not want to risk punishment for his comments, Xavi was not happy with the decisions made in the game.

"We lost due to circumstances outside our control. It's a shame," he said. "Everyone has seen what happened and I don't want to say things they'll punish me for.

"Everyone saw it, the ball went it (in the 28th minute). What happened today is a huge injustice. Everyone saw it."

Xavi: We deserved to win the game

Xavi felt his side deserved a lot more than the defeat they were ultimately served at the Bernabeu.

"We should be proud with the way we competed, we played very well," he said. "Especially in the second half, we controlled the game in some stages and we defended well.

"I think we deserved to win the game because we played very well."

Time to dance!

Bellingham's integration into the dressing room at Real Madrid is perhaps best illustrated by his dancing after scoring the winning goal.

His moves could do with some work and he is not quite Vinicius Jr yet, but he is getting there!

Vazquez: 'It's a huge step for us'

Lucas Vazquez was the unlikely hero of the night for Real Madrid as he played a starring role in all three goals.

"It's a huge step for us," he told La Liga TV. "It was tough in our schedule and this game moves us closer to the title. We wanted to win so we're very happy."

As for his own performance, he didn't want to take too much credit.

"I'm very happy to help the team," he said. "We all worked very well since the start of the game to the end and we're happy to take a big step."

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Spain warns boats of possible orca run-ins near the Strait of Gibraltar this summer

FILE - An Aerial view of Gibraltar rock seen from the neighbouring Spanish city of La Linea, Oct. 17, 2019. The ramming of a small boat by an orca in the Strait of Gibraltar prompted authorities in Spain to recommend Tuesday May 14, 2024 that small vessels stick to the coastline in that region to avoid often-scary interactions with killer whales. (AP Photo/Javier Fergo, File)

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BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — After another ramming of a boat by an orca in the Strait of Gibraltar, Spanish authorities recommended small vessels stick to the coastline in that region to avoid often-scary interactions with killer whales during the summer.

In the latest incident, two people aboard a 15-meter (50-foot) boat in Moroccan waters requested help from Spain’s maritime rescue service Sunday after reporting that an orca knocked the craft several times, damaging its rudder and causing a leak. The people were picked up by a passing oil tanker summoned by the rescuers, and their boat later sank.

Spain’s ministries for transport and the environment, along with its merchant marines, issued notices Tuesday urging both sailing boats and small motorboats to beware of orcas between May and August in the area between the Strait of Gibraltar and the Gulf of Cadiz.

The Atlantic Orca Working Group, a team of Spanish and Portuguese marine life researchers who study killer whales near the Iberia Peninsula, says were 197 such known interactions in 2021 and another 207 in 2022.

A pod of orcas even disrupted a sailing race last year, when a boat sailing from the Netherlands to Italy had a 15-minute encounter with the animals, prompting the crew to drop their craft’s sails and raise a clatter to fend them off.

There have been no reports of attacks against swimmers. The interactions on boats seem to stop once the vessel becomes immobilized.

The researchers say that the killer whales seem to be targeting boats in a wide arc covering the western coast of the Iberia Peninsula, from the waters near the Strait of Gibraltar to Spain’s northwestern Galicia.

The orcas off the Iberian coast average from 5 to 6½ meters (16-21 feet) in length, compared to orcas in Antarctica that reach 9 meters (29½ feet).