Please select your home edition
Edition
Palm Beach Motor Yachts

Cup Spy: Rio jumps on the 2027 America's Cup venue merry-go-round

by Richard Gladwell/Sail-World NZ 18 Dec 2024 02:15 UTC
Martine Grael and Kahena Kunz (BRA) sailing on Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro - Day 6 2016 Olympic Regatta © Richard Gladwell - Sail-World.com / nz

According to letters leaked into the Italian media, Rio de Janerio is interested in staging the 38th America's Cup, expected to be sailed in 2027.

Writing in La Stampa, well connected Italian sailing journalist Fabio Pozzo, reports an exchange of letters between Americas Cup Event CEO Grant Dalton and Eduardo Paes, the Mayor of the Brazilian city.

In his opening remarks, Paes notes that Rio de Janeiro has hosted sporting competitions such as the 2016 Olympics and the FIFA World Cup two years earlier and - as quoted by La Stampa - "with this experience and passion it is well prepared to welcome the global sailing community and is confident that its candidacy will be greeted with enthusiasm and support".

In a surprising testament to the leaking America's Cup, La Stampa is able to quote what is claimed to be a response, purported to be dated the previous day, December 16, from Grant Dalton, responding to the Rio Mayor.

La Stampa reports that Dalton thanks the City Council for the interest shown and specifies among other things that the Cup will be held in 2027. "The city would be the ideal place to host such a prestigious event", he says.

Dalton then says he “wants to delve deeper into the financial commitment if Rio’s bid is preferred” and offers to provide documents in the meantime on the infrastructure requirements. “In our quest for sustainability, we want to use existing facilities rather than new or custom-built ones.”

La Stampa goes on to say that Dalton reminds Paes that there are management costs for the event (TV included), plus a fee for hosting the Cup. According to La Stampa, Dalton estimates that organizing such an event “would cost ACE €80 million euros, of which €50 million would have to be financed by the public sector”. And again, he says that the “hosting fee” would also be “equal to this last figure, thus bringing the cost to €100 million euros plus any infrastructure”. However, Dalton specifies, it would be a “turnkey event”.

Those who attended the Rio Olympics will remember it as one of the best and worst, as far as that long-forgotten vital component of an America's Cup and Olympics - wind is concerned.

The issues of pollution in the enclosed harbour of Guanabara Bay were well documented before the 2016 Olympics. During the regatta, the notorious bay was no worse than any other Olympic sailing venue of recent years. Whether that was a temporary measure, as claimed, for the 2016 Olympics is unknown.

Facilities for the 2016 Olympics were excellent and would roll over well into an America's Cup - with the possible exception of a small domestic airport with its runway exiting over the the marina entrance.

Two course areas were use for the 2016 Olympics - inside the Atlantic Ocean entrance and blocked at the other by a bridge across the harbour. Without the surrounding geography and possible pollution the bay offers flat water perfect for foiling. But it is surrounded by high hills, which cause a big deflection of even a strong wind, however the breeze blowing from the Atlantic through the heads and into Guanabara Bay, is hard to fault.

Outside, the Atlantic Ocean provided the most memorable of Olympic sailing venues - if the yachts could sail in swells of up to 4 metres, and 1-2metre swells were common place. The breeze outside was very good, aside from the squall that hit the 49er fleet just after the finish of one race.

Inside or outside the harbour fan viewing is excellent - from Copacabana on the Atlantic side and the long white sand beach running from the Marina da Gloria entrance to Botofogo at the top of the bay.

Other venues believed to be under consideration include various venues in the Middle East, and Auckland. However at this stage of the 2024 America's Cup cycle a request for proposal had been in circulation since July 2020, and the evaluation was well advanced with the long list being cut to three or four after Auckland exited from contention.

A decision on the America's Cup venue is expected in June 2025.

Related Articles

Fishing: Patterning brown bass
Post-spawn through summer smallies Whitewater Fishing B.A.S.S. tournament pro, Alex Redwine, talks fishing the transition period Posted on 26 Jun
2025 Bahamas Fly-fishing Tournament Series
Anglers to compete across some of The Bahamas' top bonefishing spots The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation announced the launch of Bonefishing Tournament Series that will showcase diverse pristine flats across four islands - Grand Bahama, Andros, Eleuthera and the championship round will be held in Exuma Posted on 20 Jun
Mote leads seagrass restoration initiative
Florida legislature establishes the Seagrass Restoration Technology Development Initiative Seagrasses play a crucial role in the health and resilience of Florida's coastal ecosystems. They provide nursery habitats for keystone species and stabilize shorelines and sediments. Posted on 20 Jun
Maritimo M50 Flybridge & S60 Sedan Video
We speak to Maritimo's Neil McCabe & Phil Candler We talked to Neil McCabe, Maritimo's Design Office Manager, and Phil Candler, Maritimo's General Manager Operations, to find out more about the M50 Flybridge and S60 Sedan during the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show. Posted on 17 Jun
“I'm living my dad's dream”
Carl made sure to provide young Kyle the chance to be a seasoned pond hopper Carl Cortiana is about to turn 70, but he still remembers the days four decades ago when he'd cast a practice plug across the living room floor and his toddler son, Kyle, now a highly accomplished Vexus pro on the MLF Toyota Series. Posted on 14 Jun
Stories From The Salt - Ep.6
Insights from PENN's top anglers Whether you're a passionate saltwater angler who eagerly dedicates every spare moment to being out on the water, or you simply enjoy watching the techniques and experiences of others, we invite you to anchor up and learn some valuable insights Posted on 14 Jun
Bulwarks and Bulldust – watch Episode Six
Episode Six is now live - Are boat shows still relevant? Episode Six - asks the question, 'Are boat shows still Relevant?' We also offer some thoughts on changes and updates. The final episode of Series One is now live Posted on 13 Jun
Scania, Viking showcase renewable diesel
Mack Attack shows outstanding efficiency without compromise in performance of Scania V8 Engines Scania, one of the world's leading manufacturers of engines, announced today the successful demonstration of the performance and viability of renewable marine diesel fuel in a Viking 48 Convertible powered by twin Scania 1,150 HP DI16-liter V8 engines. Posted on 10 Jun
Sportfishing industry applauds decision by NOAA
Elimination of proposed South Atlantic bottomfishing closure The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries withdrew the proposed bottomfishing closure from Amendment 59 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic. Posted on 10 Jun
Marine Auctions: June online auctions
Bidding to open on Friday 20th June The Bidding for the June Online Auction will commence on Thursday 20th June and will end on Thursday 26th June at 2pm AEST. Posted on 7 Jun
Palm Beach Motor YachtsMaritimo M600