How Does the Prada Cup Work?

If you’re a fan of sailing, you’re probably familiar with the America’s Cup, the oldest trophy in international sports. The Prada Cup is a series of races that serves as the challenger selection series for the America’s Cup. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how the Prada Cup works.

What is the Prada Cup?

The Prada Cup is a series of races that determine which team will challenge the defender, currently Emirates Team New Zealand, for the America’s Cup. The event is named after its sponsor, Italian luxury fashion house Prada.

How many teams compete?

In 2021, there were three teams competing in the Prada Cup: Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team (ITA), INEOS TEAM UK (GBR), and American Magic (USA).

What type of boats are used?

All teams compete in AC75 class yachts, which are foiling monohulls that can reach speeds of up to 50 knots (57 mph). These yachts are designed specifically for high-performance racing and feature cutting-edge technology.

How does the racing format work?

The Prada Cup consists of two rounds: a round-robin phase and a knockout phase.

During the round-robin phase, each team races against each other twice. A win earns one point and a loss earns zero points. The top two teams at the end of this phase advance to the final while the third-place team is eliminated.

The final is a best-of-13 series where the first team to win seven races wins the Prada Cup and advances to challenge for the America’s Cup.

What happens if there is a tie?

If two or more teams are tied on points at any stage of the competition, tiebreakers come into play. The first tiebreaker is head-to-head results between the tied teams.

If that doesn’t resolve the tie, the team with the most wins in the round-robin phase advances. If there is still a tie, a sudden-death race will be held to determine which team advances.

Conclusion

The Prada Cup is a thrilling competition that showcases some of the world’s best sailors and cutting-edge technology. With its unique racing format and high-speed yachts, it’s no wonder that it has become a favorite among sailing fans around the world.