Under the Spanish sun, the Blues made three full races aboard their AC40. Fifth at the end of the first run, despite daring trajectory choices and a good flight regularity, the France team then finished third twice.

"We had a blast," said French helmsman Quentin Delapierre back on land. "We didn't refuse anything with Kevin (Peponnet, 2nd French helmsman, editor's note) and we tested things. And even with less experience than the others, if you sail light you see that you are able to be in front," he added.

The New Zealand title holders and the American Magic challenge, led by helmsman Tom Slingsby, dominated the day's proceedings and were originally scheduled to compete in the late afternoon for victory in a two-boat race.

But the wind fell back on the water, causing the finals to be cancelled. American Magic was named winner of the regatta on points, ahead of the second-placed Kiwis.

America's Cup American Magic challenge during the 1st preliminary regatta on September 17, 2023 off Vilanova © LLUIS GENE / AFP

Unlike these teams, launched in the America's Cup campaign for more than a year, the French challenge only participated in its first sailing aboard its training sailboat on August 20.

And to everyone's surprise, Orient Express still won the first qualifying race on Friday in very light wind conditions, preventing the 12-meter monohulls from flying thanks to their foils.

"The team has proven that it has character and that we can play on equal terms with others. It's extremely satisfying and it exceeds all our expectations," said the co-director of the challenge Stéphane Kandler on Sunday.

In the general classification, the Italians of Luna Rossa finished at the foot of the podium, ahead of the Swiss of Alinghi by only one point. The Ineos Britania Challenge missed its entry into the race for the silver ewer by finishing the regatta in sixth and final place.

For this first event, the organizer of the next America's Cup -- which will take place from October 12, 2024 in Barcelona -- has imposed on the various challenges involved to compete aboard an AC40, a one-design model of the AC75 used next year.

Orient Express, the French America's Cup challenge, during one of the preliminary regattas on September 16, 2023 off Vilanova © LLUIS GENE / AFP

The challenge of this weekend was above all to gauge oneself and learn to sail in the fleet for the competing crews: a victory did not bring anything on the sporting level.

© 2023 AFP