Explora Journeys kicks off new partnership with 37th America’s Cup: ‘F1 on the water’

For two months at the end of this summer, Barcelona will be a hive for sailing enthusiasts the world over, as all eyes will be on the city for the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup. 

Commonly referred to as the ‘F1 on the water’, the America’s Cup is the oldest competition in International sport (the first one took place in 1851 – 45 years before the first Olympics) and is renowned for pushing the realms of possibility when it comes to sailing. Speeds of over 120mph are regularly reached and the sailing yachts themselves barely touch the water for maximum pace – in fact, they hover! 

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This week, onboard Explora Journey’s EXPLORA I in the port of Barcelona, Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Group and Grant Dalton OBE, CEO of the America’s Cup Events launched a new partnership between the two iconic brands. 

United by the two brands’ shared values and profound respect and passion for the sea, the pair also revealed that Explora Journeys would be sponsoring Emirates Team New Zealand throughout the competition. Emirates Team New Zealand are the competition’s reigning champions and the team of which Grant Dalton is also CEO.

As well as being the current defender of the America’s Cup, the team is also the most successful team in recent America’s Cup history, having won the Cup four times (1995, 2000, 2017 & 2021). With the contest’s policy of there being no second place, competition is fierce to say the least, and this year Great Britain, Italy, USA, Switzerland and France will all be making a bid to lift the trophy. 

The Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup will take place from August 17th, 2024 – October 27th, 2024 in Barcelona this year. The competition is free to watch on land, water or on screen.

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Vago commented: “We are incredibly proud to partner with the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup. This collaboration aligns perfectly with our commitment to excellence and our deep passion for the sea. Whether in competitive sailing or in building a new luxury ocean travel brand, it is only through the strength of our team that we can excel and achieve our ambitious goals. Furthermore, Emirates Team New Zealand perfectly embodies the perseverance and innovation that are at the core of competitive sailing. We are honoured to support such a distinguished team and look forward to their achievements in the upcoming America’s Cup events.”

Dalton added: “We are very proud to bring the America’s Cup onboard EXPLORA I today and to announce the Explora Journeys partnership with Emirates Team New Zealand. As the start of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup draws closer it is these occasions that remind us how the excitement is building for what is going to be an amazing, innovative and highly competitive spectacle here in Barcelona.”

The America’s Cup Exhibition Experience is currently open in Barcelona’s Port Vell, to get crowds in the mood. With inspiring videos about the competition’s origin and the work that goes into it, there is also a VR experience complete with space-age silver VR goggles where you can try out what it’s like to be onboard a racing yacht! 

Tickets are €15.