It was a demonstration of performance that New Zealand's America's Cup defenders delivered before the start of the first pre-regatta on 15 September in Vilanova i la Geltrú. On the last day of practice before the first test of strength on the AC40 One-Designs, the Kiwis dominated the six-team field at will. And if they didn't win the start, they put their opponents to the sword in the course of the races in spectacular fashion.
Three races, three victories for the Kiwis
In higher mode, with more determined manoeuvres and obviously excellently developed pre-settings, the team around their experienced helmsmen Peter Burling and Nathan Outteridge left no doubt as to who was best at this point in the prelude to the 37th America's Cup as a sailing team. The Kiwis simply flew higher, leading the bow in all three training races on Thursday.
As usual, "Pistol Pete" held back his comments on land after the show on the water: "Keeping the boat on the foils when the wind dropped below six knots was the key today. The guys did a good job with the way we got through the gusts and the manoeuvres. These little checks to see that we are close to the top are great. We don't get many opportunities to learn and race, so we're making the most of it."
I believe that the mental game is very important in the America's Cup" (Tom Slingsby)
Two teams proved to be leading challengers to the Kiwis in training: The US team American Magic looked fast in the first race with helmsman Tom Slingsby and established themselves as a veritable opponent. But Slingsby also admitted honestly: "We haven't sailed together as a team that much. So this is an opportunity to improve as a team. If we can win in equal boats, then that would give us a mental edge. I believe that the mental game is very important in the America's Cup."
Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli also stood out in the practice races with good starts and consistent manoeuvres. "It was obviously a good day," said Francesco Bruni after the races in the best Azzurri mood. I think we had three good races as a team. We had fewer problems than other teams. But obviously it's also a fact that Team New Zealand overtook us a few times. That was a bit painful. We need to analyse this more closely and take a closer look at the different settings. We had the feeling that they had a speed advantage."
I hope that we can be even stronger when the regatta starts" (Francesco Bruni)
Bruni told YACHT that these findings related primarily to race two. His crew made some changes afterwards and were able to narrow the gap. "We felt better there, but there is still a small gap between them and us. I hope that we will be even stronger when the regatta starts."
The three-day regatta in the Vilanova i la Geltrú area over the long weekend will show what these and other impressions from the training in the pre-regatta are worth. For the crews outside the top three teams, it was a day of mixed feelings, some highlights, but ultimately also the realisation of the level at which the current three major powers are playing.
We still have a lot of catching up to do" (Sir Ben Ainslie)
Ben Ainslie, skipper of Ineos Britannia, was realistic and said: "We still have a lot of catching up to do. In the light conditions, it's all about finding the right settings. The short time we've spent on the AC40 shows how far away we are from these other teams. That definitely worries us. We spent another hour and a half after the race analysing our shortcomings. The good news is that we can learn from the other teams, who have already mastered the boat a little better. We can try to close the gap. That's what we have to do."
Days before the start of the pre-regatta, Ainslie had left no doubt that the test of strength on the smaller AC40 yachts was not at the top of his team's to-do list. "Our top priority is to bring the fastest AC75 to the water in August 2023." Ainslie has painfully come to this clear realisation in the past two Cup editions, because both times it quickly became clear after the presentation of the Cup yachts that the British boats would not be fast enough.
To be honest, I think there were some fundamental things where we made a mistake" (Arnaud Psarofaghis)
For the Swiss team Alinghi Red Bull Racing, helmsman Arnaud Psarofaghis said after the last official AC40 training session in Vilanova i la Geltrú: "It was a difficult day. I learnt a lot. It's always good to make a few silly mistakes on a training day. Small mistakes can really throw you out of the race. But we have to be patient because anything can happen on a race course with light winds when others fall off the foils too. To be honest, I think there were some basic things where we made a mistake."
The significance of training regattas for major sailing events may be limited. The Kiwis' ability to sail forwards effectively or to relentlessly chase, confront and overtake their opponents as hunters has deeply impressed all teams and observers ahead of the first pre-regatta for the America's Cup. Whether they can continue their power play remains to be seen from today (15 September) to Sunday (17 September).
As on the other days, the races will be broadcast live from 15:30:
Racing! Impressions from the last training session before the first pre-regatta for the 37th America's Cup:
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Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
