The America’s Cup World Series Chicago gets underway later today at the city’s Navy Pier on Lake Michigan in North America.
The weekend of racing will bring together the six teams lined up for next year’s main event in Bermuda and, staged on Lake Michigan, will take place on fresh water for the first time in the event’s 165-year history.
Competing in AC 45 foiling catamarans, the international sailboat teams comprise USA, Sweden, Great Britain, Japan, France and New Zealand.
Emirates Team New Zealand are currently top of the leader board with 244 points, closely followed by Oracle Team USA with 236 points.
In Chicago, the Alvalle Race Village will open at midday with various preview activities taking place throughout the afternoon, culminating in an opening ceremony in the evening. The racing will then kick off on Saturday, with more to follow on Sunday.
Staged on Lake Michigan, racing will take place on fresh water for the first time in the event’s 165-year history
Presented by Louis Vuitton, the World Series is a chance to put points on the board, which carry forward to the next stage of the competition, and overall ranking will determine the starting points score of the teams in the America’s Cup Qualifiers in 2017.
So far this year, racing has taken place in Oman and New York City, with events coming up in Portsmouth and Toulon in July and September respectively.
Chicago boasts the largest public harbour system in the USA with over 5,000 berths and so is well-equipped to host those spectating from the comfort of their boats.
For further information on planning a yacht charter to the America’s Cup World Series or the final 2017 event in Bermuda, speak to your preferred charter broker.
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