CE Case Study
America’s Cup World Series and 35th America’s Cup (2015-7)
Controlled Events delivered integrated event control, communications and operational coordination across the America’s Cup World Series and 35th America’s Cup between 2015 and 2017.
Context & Background
The America’s Cup World Series and 35th America’s Cup represented one of the most operationally demanding international sporting event programmes in the world, spanning multiple countries, cities and stakeholder groups.
Each location required integrated command, control and communication arrangements capable of supporting race operations, fan zones, public safety, agency coordination and incident management across large and complex event footprints.
The final event in Bermuda introduced additional operational pressure through extended testing periods, multiple concurrent activities and heightened international attention.
The Challenge
As a major global event series, the America’s Cup World Series and 35th America’s Cup required effective command, control and coordination arrangements, training and exercises as well as event control personnel between 2015 and 2017.
Operations needed to remain agile across multiple international venues while supporting race operations, public safety, agency coordination and rapidly changing environmental conditions.
Our Role & Scope
- Integrated event control facility delivery
- Radio communications management
- ECR Manager incident logging deployment
- Readiness training and exercising
- Joint Agency Command Centre support
- Operational coordination across race and fan operations
Approach & Solution
Controlled Events supported events in Portsmouth, Oman, Chicago, New York and Bermuda by delivering a fully integrated event control capability coordinating festival, fan zone and race operations.
Using ECR Manager and live communications monitoring, teams maintained operational oversight across multiple locations and agencies.
In Bermuda, Controlled Events delivered an integrated readiness training and exercising programme, assisted with the fit out, testing and operational readiness of the Joint Agency Command Centre (JACC), and coordinated support throughout 40 days of testing, training and live event operations.
Operations included support for the America’s Cup, J-Class Regatta and Red Bull Youth America’s Cup alongside Bermudian and UK safety and security organisations.
Delivery Highlights
- Multi location operational delivery across international venues
- Integrated agency coordination during live race operations
- Real time communications and incident monitoring
- Support during severe weather incidents and evacuations
- Coordination of Event Liaison Teams and operational partners
Outcomes & Impact
Despite numerous weather events, incidents and challenging operating conditions, Controlled Events provided trusted operational support that enabled managers, agencies and volunteers to respond effectively throughout the programme.
The operational structures, communication systems and coordinated decision making processes proved critical during major incidents, including the safe evacuation of approximately 60,000 people during severe weather conditions.
On behalf of the team, Rob was awarded the Queen’s Certificate and Badge of Honour in the 2018 New Year’s Honours list.
“Given that we had to evacuate 60,000 people from the site one day due to a raging storm, it was imperative that Event Control and all members of the Event Liaison Team were kept completely aware of decisions and input from various stakeholders, suppliers and responsible authorities. Once the decision was made, all parties needed to be kept in the loop regarding civil contingencies and crowd movements. Without Rob, his kit and his team, this simply would not have happened.”
Steve Kearney Event Health & Safety Lead, Gallowglass H&S