Cork Harbour is lining up a bid for the rights to host the prestigious 2024 America’s Cup yacht race — the oldest sporting trophy in the world that scooped over a billion dollars for the New Zealand economy when the event was held there in March this year.
According to The Examiner newspaper, a technical America's Cup team from the event's organising authority visited Cork city and harbour over the weekend for a range of technical briefings and site assessments, including an aerial assessment conducted during a flight over the harbour.
New Zealand won the 36th edition of the Cup held in Auckland in March, sensationally putting all other teams - including Britain - to the sword in a series of high-speed races in some of the world's fastest sailing foiling monohull yachts, known as IC37s.
The team was examining key technical harbour details on tides, wind speeds and directions, channel depths, and berthing facilities.
Cork Harbour is the second biggest natural harbour in the world, after Sydney Australia.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney
They were accompanied by Irish tourism bosses, as well as by city and county officials at various stages.
It is understood some key Cork sailing officials and professionals also attended the briefings.
They attended a number of events, including an outdoor briefing on a veranda or balcony at the Sirius Arts Centre in Cobh on Friday night, also attended by Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney; a lunch event at Camden Fort Meagher on Saturday; and the delegation also visited Cork city over the weekend to experience the buzz of the city centre.
Crowds of spectator boats watch the 36th America's Cup in Auckland Harbour in March
A spokesperson for Mr Coveney confirmed he was part of a series of briefings but she declined to comment in any further detail.
“A small international team assessed sites in Cork last weekend for potential future events,” she said.
“Mr Coveney attended a number of briefings and presentations on the excellent facilities and sites Cork City and Harbour has to offer for major international tournaments.
“All events in his programme were compliant with public health rules.”
It comes ahead of a decision, expected within days on whether or not current America’s Cup title defenders, New Zealand, will exercise its right to defend its title at home or not.
Cowes and other venues are also understood to be considering bids in the event New Zealand opts to defend its title abroad.
Much more from The Examiner here
