The inaugural season of the America’s Cup e-Series wrapped up with a thrilling Grand Final in Barcelona, where eSailingCentral claimed victory, securing the coveted e-Series trophy and a €25,000 grand prize. This groundbreaking esports competition brought the excitement of sailing into the virtual world, captivating a global audience and showcasing the intense skill needed to master AC Sailing, the hyper-realistic PC simulation developed by Emirates Team New Zealand.
A Spectacle for Fans Everywhere
The Grand Final took place at the America's Cup Race Village, with energized crowds in attendance and thousands more tuning in online. The newly crowned champion, eSailingCentral, reflected on the experience:
“The whole experience has been crazy. The Grand Final has been exciting, with a lot of ups and downs and everyone could win until the last race.”
The victory capped off weeks of intense virtual racing, a journey that united sailing enthusiasts and gamers worldwide.
A Visionary First Season
The first season of the America’s Cup e-Series exceeded all expectations. Since the game’s launch in April, over 100,000 downloads were recorded, and a vibrant community of players emerged. Grant Dalton, CEO of the America’s Cup Event, praised the initiative’s success:
“From the outset, our vision for the e-Series was to turn our cutting-edge simulator into a game and open up the world of America’s Cup racing to a new generation. We’re incredibly excited to see what the future holds for this initiative.”
From Virtual Racers to Real Sailors: The 'Gamer to Sailor' Experience
The e-Series doesn't stop at the virtual finish line. In an unprecedented twist, eSailingCentral and runner-up Booshifywill embark on the “Gamer to Sailor” experience. They will transition from digital champions to real-world sailors, participating in three days of intense simulator and on-water training. The culmination? A high-stakes race aboard a high-performance AC40 yacht in Barcelona, squaring off against a UniCredit Youth America’s Cup team.
This unique initiative demonstrates the realism of AC Sailing and the transferable skills between gaming and actual sailing.
A New Chapter for Esports and Sailing
The “Gamer to Sailor” race is scheduled for October 2nd, an event designed to showcase the connection between the virtual and physical worlds of sailing. Dan Bernasconi, Technical Director of Emirates Team New Zealand, emphasizes the mission:
"The 'Gamer to Sailor' race is the ultimate testament to the e-Series' mission of breaking down barriers and making the thrill of sailing accessible to everyone."
About the America’s Cup e-Series
The America’s Cup e-Series marks the first venture into esports by the America’s Cup, merging virtual racing with real-world sailing through the AC Sailing PC game. This groundbreaking league offers gamers and sailing enthusiasts a thrilling new way to engage with one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events.
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