The world’s longest continuously contested global sporting trophy, the America’s Cup, is now on its countdown to what promises to be the fastest, most spectacular, and most inclusive leadup to the 2024 event.

The America's Cup, also affectionately known as ‘the Auld Mug’ – was first contested in the UK in 1851 and renamed after being won by the youthful supporters of the Schooner America– has attracted business, technological, and spectator support the world over, with nearly a billion people estimated to have watched the 36th America’s Cup events culminating in the win of Emirates Team New Zealand in 2021.

Australasian hydraulic hose and fitting company Hydraulink will once again be involved with the event and the Emirates Team New Zealand defence in the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup final in Barcelona next October, preceded by the Youth and Puig Women’s America’s Cup events that organisers have incorporated into the leadup programme to create an electrifying pathway to the America’s Cup itself.

Hydraulink will be utilising its hose assembly design capabilities and providing specialist hose kits for the Foil Cant System to the entire field of yachts. Hydraulink will also be providing hi-tech hose assemblies to Emirates Team New Zealand for the boat control systems. For this iteration of the Cup, all syndicates will use pedal-powered Cyclor pumps to provide the hydraulic power for the AC75 boat control systems – including control of the twin skinned mainsail, foils, and rudder functions as the AC75’s skim over the water at speeds expected to exceed 50 knots when conditions permit.

“We will also provide hydraulic hose kits for the AC40 boats, which will be used for the Youth and Puig Women’s America’s Cup events, which Hydraulink applauds as further expanding the spectacle and appeal of this wonderful event,” says Hydraulink Product Manager, Garth Woodhouse, who has been extensively involved in the America’s Cup support extended since 1995 by Hydraulink Directors Lee Short and Noel Davies.

They see involvement in high-tech ventures with no room for error as reinforcing the company’s top safety and reliability focus on the work Hydraulink undertakes for industrial users throughout New Zealand and Australia.

They also applaud the self-improvement and ongoing education that technology-intensive training provides, which is a keynote of Hydraulink’s own industry operations, which span machinery used in roads and earthworks, civil engineering, mining, energy, oil and gas, agriculture, materials handling, manufacturing, machinery and vehicle distribution fleet, utilities, public works, machinery servicing, and safety.

The next generation of foiling superstars

The Youth & Puig Women’s America’s Cup events are set to be some of the highlights of the 37^th America's Cup in Barcelona, attracting the next generation of foiling superstars who have the perfect platform to showcase their talents to the world, says Garth.

Alongside the established six America’s Cup teams, a further six entries have been received from Spain, the Netherlands, Canada, Germany, Sweden, and Australia, with all the teams undertaking extensive selection trials to uncover future talent.

Skill, talent, perfect racing intuition, and dynamic foiling will see the very best rise through both fleet and match racing, with the Youth America’s Cup Final to occur between racing in the Challenger Selection Series Final, while the Puig Women’s America’s Cup Final will occur between racing in the America’s Cup Match.

Organisers believe the incorporation of these new events will guarantee huge exposure to youth and women involved in the sport and help foster the next generation of talent to be uncovered for the world’s longest-running international sporting trophy, says Garth.

All of the teams entered in the 37^th America's Cup in Barcelona 2024 are fielding teams in the AC40s events, with representation from the Defenders, Emirates Team New Zealand, the Challenger of Record INEOS Britannia and the Challengers: Alinghi Red Bull Racing, NYYC American Magic, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, and Orient Express Racing Team.