Barcelona Serves as the ‘Lighthouse of the World’ During Opening Ceremony of Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup
by America’s Cup Media 10 Oct 15:10 PDT
10 October 2024
Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup Opening Ceremony © Ricardo Pinto / America’s Cup
As the climax of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup approaches, featuring the ‘Match’ between Defender Emirates Team New Zealand and Challenger of Record INEOS Britannia, Barcelona has dazzled as the ‘Lighthouse to the World’ during a magnificent opening ceremony at Platja de Bogatell.
In line with the spirit and values of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup, the opening ceremony occurred on the night of Thursday, October 10, showcasing the influence of sport intertwined with art and culture as catalysts for change and commitment. This extraordinary event marked the peak of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup, staged in Barcelona for the first time, as part of an America’s Cup Legacy initiative supported by the America’s Cup Event and their partners, alongside host institutions coordinated by the Barcelona Capital Nàutica Foundation.
Broadcast worldwide to a truly global audience, the unprecedented show featured breathtaking visuals such as a stunning drone performance, laser skies, LED screens, avatars, and waves of light, all synchronized with beautiful soundtracks, musical acts, and immersive symphonies that took viewers on an emotional journey, captivating audiences globally.
Albert Guinovart, the composer and director of the soundtrack, reflected on the truly stunning evening, stating: “We believe that the contrast between artists helps amplify the message of the show and engage a broad audience with the image Barcelona and Catalonia aspire to project globally through the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup.”
Barcelona, known for its creativity and culture, was the ideal backdrop for an event merging technology, art, and nature. The ceremony, inspired by the elements of sea, wind, and sailing, exemplified human creativity and collaborative effort, crafting a narrative that aimed to reconnect audiences with nature’s power and the enchantment of maritime exploration.
Grant Dalton, CEO of America’s Cup Event, remarked on the ceremony, saying: “Our bond with Barcelona, its people, culture, and identity resonates with the principles we’ve endeavored to highlight at the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup – Sustainability, Diversity, Inclusion, Technology, and Innovation. This concert showcased those values while evoking unforgettable memories from the 1992 Olympic Games opening ceremony – an experience etched in every witness’s mind. It has been a fitting spectacle and a significant legacy for what has been an incredible summer of sailing in Barcelona ahead of the concluding ‘Match’ of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup.”
Leslie Ryan, Event Director of America’s Cup Events (ACE) Barcelona, shared how meaningful the ceremony was as the culmination of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup approached, saying: “Since selecting Barcelona as our host city, we have felt the unique energy that makes it an iconic city on a global scale. Fans worldwide were treated to a spectacular and unforgettable concert that showcased the fruitful partnership between Barcelona and the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup.”
An estimated 60,000 people experienced the free concert from Platja de Bogatell and local beaches, alongside an audience of 800 from the America’s Cup community watching from the America’s Cup Fanzone. The opening ceremony of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup was an unforgettable spectacle befitting the oldest continuously contested event in international sports – the 173-year-old America’s Cup.
The Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup Match between Emirates Team New Zealand and INEOS Britannia kicks off on Saturday, October 12, when these two elite teams will compete head-to-head on the waters off Barcelona in the first two races of the series, which is the first to seven points.
