America's Cup: The Kiwis take on the role of favourites, match race tension rises
Tatjana Pokorny
· 25.08.2024
New Zealand's America's Cup defenders have underlined their role as favourites for the 37th America's Cup with a victory. Off the coast of Barcelona, Emirates Team New Zealand won the third and final pre-regatta for the summit assault. In the first test of strength with the new second-generation AC75 foilers, the Kiwis lost one of their five duels in the main round of the Louis Vuitton pre-regatta after four consecutive victories - against the American "Patriot".
After both boats had entered the starting box late, both also had a lot of time to make up on the way to the starting line. Both boats crossed the start line too early, dived back again and then - with a slight advantage for "Patriot" - started almost bow to bow at the pin end of the line. Positioned downwind, the Americans forced the Kiwis to split early. They defended the left side of the course and sent "Taihoro" to the right.
"Patriot" defies "Taihoro" to score a point
In the confused wave of the day, the New Zealanders were unable to find a compelling answer to the fast "Patriot", whose co-pilots Tom Slingsby and Nathan Outteridge were very determined after the rudder problem the day before. The "Patriot" crew hit the mooring line to the gate perfectly and had a 15-second lead after the first section of the course. After an outstanding performance by Andrew Campbell and Mike Menninger (trimmer and flight controller) and the "power generators" on their bikes, they turned this into a 28-second lead at the finish.
"American Magic sailed really well. They had a good start and we were pretty keen to get to the right side of the course. Unfortunately they had a nice left turn." Nathan Outteridge
The US team NYYC American Magic can boast of having handed the Kiwis their only defeat in this Louis Vuitton Cup pre-regatta. The overall American performance is worthy of third place in the overture. It could not be overlooked that "Patriot" is a very fast boat that the other challengers will also have to reckon with.
In the subsequent duel between Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli and Alinghi Red Bull Racing, the Swiss once again proved to be clever match racers. Arnaud Psarofaghis and his team forced "Luna Rossa" to make an early start before opening the race cleanly themselves. With good handling and loose coverage from the Italians, Alinghi Red Bull Racing was able to convert the advantage into a lead of 34 seconds by the first mark.
Penalty doesn't stop Azzurri from winning
However, when Alinghi Red Bull Racing's "BoatOne" made a mistake at the finish of a gybe, it reared up before crashing into the waves. The consequences were less drastic than feared, however, as "Luna Rossa" was awarded a penalty by the umpires because the Italians had come too close to the Swiss boat. The so-called "keep clear boarder" rule violation is determined with the help of imaginary "rhombuses" drawn around the boat. If the "rhombuses" of both boats overlap, the boat that infringes the right of way is penalised.
"Luna Rossa" had to drop back 75 metres before "Cecco" Bruni, Jimmy Spithill and their crew were able to step on the gas again. They did so masterfully and reclaimed the lead at the end of the third section of the course. They turned a twelve-second lead before the second downwind section into a 46-second advantage in a thrilling match with a preference for the right-hand side of the course, speeds of more than 42 knots in places and consistent cover right to the finish.
France's Orient Express Racing Team and Ineos Britannia met in the final main round duel. Both had suffered more than they would have liked in this pre-regatta for the America's Cup. The French team entered the starting box ten seconds late, making life difficult for themselves. The British immediately handed them a penalty, only to then lose their own momentum.
Early start confusion about "Britannia"
A "Britannia" tack towards the start line turned into a premature start in the unstable winds and waves, for which Ben Ainslie and co. even had to clean up twice because they had not got their boat fully back behind the line on the first attempt. The astonishing sequence of manoeuvres even confused the TV commentators for a short time, until it gradually became clear what unusual thing had happened.
It was good to finish the regatta with a win." Sir Ben Ainslie
The tenacious race to catch up by the British, who were 16 seconds behind at the first turning mark, was favoured by a weak gybe by the French in seven knots of wind. Ieanos Britannia was able to take the lead, but the duel remained exciting. At the last leeward gate, the Brits opted for the port buoy and almost fell off the foils, but managed to save themselves. One of the most exciting and varied duels of the Louis Vuitton pre-regatta was won by Ineos Britannia by 48 seconds at the finish line.
As main round winners, New Zealand's co-pilots Peter Burling and Nathan Outteridge then met Patrizio Bertelli's Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team with helmsmen Francesco Bruni and Jimmy Spithill in the final. 78-year-old Patrizio Bertelli is chasing the America's Cup with his sailing team for the seventh time since it was founded in 1997.
Déjà vu with memories of the 36th America's Cup
The reunion of the Cup defenders and their challengers in the final of the 36th America's Cup in Auckland gave the showdown at the pre-regatta in Barcelona an interesting touch of déjà vu. The Italians conceded a penalty in the pre-start phase for a manoeuvre that was too close. The Kiwis started the race with perfect timing, while the Azzurri still had to adjust. A 100-metre lead turned into a 200-metre lead for the New Zealanders, who consistently covered their opponents.
Both teams struggled to keep their boats on the foils in the light winds of around seven knots and had to fight their way back up after tacking. Plenty of swell and holey pressure put the AC75 sailors to the test.
A weak gybe by the Kiwis brought the boats closer together again. The team led by co-pilots Peter Burling and Nathan Outteridge responded a short time later with probably the most typical and effective Kiwi manoeuvre: in one of their exciting encounters, they tacked directly onto the bow of "Luna Rossa", forcing the Italians to tack away to the left side of the course.
Kiwis in luck: many mistakes, but still won
The race remained gripping. Even when the Italians conceded another penalty for violating the imaginary boat limit. The next penalty for "Luna Rossa" followed at the next turn when the Azzurri failed to keep clear. The two powerful racing teams and their protagonists delivered a grand finale in which the New Zealanders rounded the final mark just eleven seconds ahead of the Italians.
It certainly wasn't our prettiest job. We made it difficult for ourselves. But we're thrilled that we got the thing because you can make so many mistakes and still win." Peter Burling
In the final sprint to the finish, it was the Kiwis who saw pressure on the right - and capitalised on it. With a minimum of manoeuvres, they reached the finish line 34 seconds ahead of the Italians, who, in view of a total of three penalties for this duel, can be described as a class act. The final match showed just how exciting this 37th America's Cup can be. And how close boats and teams can become with daily development.
Barcelona's XL sailing summer is underway
Just four days before the start of the challenger round for the 37th America's Cup, the American team NYYC American Magic also made a strong showing in the overture alongside the Italians. After a few stumbles, Sir Ben Ainslie's Team Ineos Britannia took fourth place in the pre-regatta ahead of Alinghi Red Bull Racing and the French Orient Express Racing Team.
The Louis Vuitton Cup (challenger round) on 29 August marks the start of a month-long battle for the right to challenge the New Zealand Cup defenders in the 37th America's Cup duel from 12 October. The Cup programme in Barcelona's super sailing summer also includes the Youth America's Cup (17 - 26 September) and the historic first Women's America's Cup (5 - 13 October). In contrast to the America's Cup itself, German teams are also taking part in both competitions.
Louis Vuitton Pre-Regatta, Race 13 - Emirates Team New Zealand vs. NYYC American Magic:
Louis Vuitton Pre-Regatta, Race 14 - Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli vs Alinghi Red Bull Racing:
Louis Vuitton Pre-Regatta, Race 15 - Orient Express Racing Team vs Ineos Britannia:
