America's Cup Races Headed to NYC View Full Caption Youtube/ America's Cup

BATTERY PARK CITY — The fastest sailors in the world are headed to the Hudson River this spring.

A series of warm-up races for America's Cup, the sailing world's most prestigious event, will hit the waters off of Battery Park City in May, the America's Cup announced.

The high-speed regatta, slated for May 7 and May 8, marks the first time America's Cup events have taken place in New York City since 1920, the organization said.

"It's super fast, sailing fans will be really impressed," said Matt Cassidy, a U.S. sailing team member, in a video promoting the New York races called the Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series. "It's not the type of sailing they are used to seeing."

The most skilled teams from all over the world will be headquartered in the marina at Battery Park City. Races will take place from about Pier 25 to The Battery, organizers said.

Watching the two days of races will be free. Spectators will also be able to catch the speedy 45-foot catamarans fly across the water on May 6 when the teams warm up.

Oracle Team USA currently holds the trophy for the America's Cup, which will be held in Bermuda in 2017.

As the New York Yacht Club continually won the America's Cup for more than a century, the regatta was held in New York from 1890 to 1920, then moved to waters off of Rhode Island, where it stayed until 1983 when the club lost the race, according to the America's Cup statement.

"Racing on the lower Hudson River, in front of that Manhattan skyline, will be a huge hit," said Team USA skipper Jimmy Spithill in the statement. "New Yorkers are massive sports fans and I think this will be something very special: thrilling, top-level racing right in the heart of the city."