The Prada Cup, which is the preliminary competition for the America’s Cup, was cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. The event was scheduled to take place in Auckland, New Zealand, from January 15 to February 22, 2021. However, due to a sudden outbreak of COVID-19 in the city, the organizers had no choice but to cancel the event.
What is Prada Cup?
Prada Cup is a series of sailing races that lead up to the America’s Cup. It involves multiple teams from different countries competing against each other in high-speed sailboats called AC75s. The winning team from the Prada Cup goes on to face the defending champion of the America’s Cup in a final race.
The Outbreak
In early February, just days before the start of Prada Cup’s semi-finals, Auckland recorded several cases of COVID-19. The government of New Zealand quickly responded by imposing a lockdown and suspending all public gatherings.
The Impact on Prada Cup
The outbreak had an immediate impact on Prada Cup as it was no longer possible for teams and officials to travel between their accommodations and the venue. Moreover, many teams had already arrived in Auckland and were forced into isolation as per government regulations.
The Prada CEO’s Statement: “We are obviously disappointed that this course of action has been necessary given the incredible effort that has gone into organizing this event in recent months..We have always said that safety is paramount, and it is not worth risking anyone’s health.”
The Aftermath
After much deliberation between organizers and teams, it was decided that there would be no winner for this year’s Prada Cup. Instead, all three teams would advance directly to compete against defending champions Emirates Team New Zealand in March 2021.
The Bottom Line
The cancellation of Prada Cup was a significant blow to the sailing community and sports enthusiasts worldwide. However, safety must always be the top priority in such situations. We hope that the organizers and teams can come together once again for a safe and successful America’s Cup in March.
- Safety is paramount
- All three teams will advance directly to compete against defending champions Emirates Team New Zealand in March 2021
- We hope for a safe and successful America’s Cup in March