America’s Cup: Improving in real time

by Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt Sailing News
There are two statements often associated with the America’s Cup, 1) Teams must constantly be improving, and 2) The fastest boat wins. But what’s not often said is how this much-hyped event begins with the teams under-prepared. During the Louis Vuitton Cup, we are literally watching the best sailors in our sport, learn to sail.

Despite this being the second edition for the AC75, significant changes to the boat have put every team on the back foot. They are more maneuverable, and the light air performance is improved, but the teams must still blend match race tactics with survival. Falling off the foils is never an option, and teams are falling off the foils.

With the AC75’s sizzling speed, the competition exists only through the broadcast, and they’re learning on the fly too. I suspect the technical team will keep raising the bar, but please commentators, stop with crutch words like ‘tricky’ and actually explain. Also, the on-the-water host should listen to SailGP’s Lisa Darmanin who tells us what we can’t see. She’s great!

The double round robin stage of the challenger selection series has two more days remaining (September 7-8), with one of the five teams to then be eliminated. The inexperience of the French team has been frequently revealed, and it would take some shockers in their final races to remain.

Italy has thus far been the best of the challengers, and if they finish the Louis Vuitton Cup on top of the leaderboard, they choose their opponent for the Semi-Finals stage. That’s an interesting question, for if the Swiss advance, they’d likely lose in a match with Italy, but also may not sufficiently help Italy improve. USA and Great Britain still both have a lot of ceiling, and if paired in the semifinals, the winner would give Italy some trouble. Hmm…

For fans of NYYC American Magic, their final matches are against Italy and France (and a non-counter against NZL) could have a significant impact on the leaderboard, but only if they find some pixie dust. Their most recent races against Great Britain and Switzerland were not good enough, and the broadcast commentators are already questioning if going with recumbent cyclors was a mistake. Standing by…

For all the Louis Vuitton Cup reporting, click here.

Viewing details – Race information – Results – Weather forecast

2024 Louis Vuitton Cup Challenger Selection Series
August 29-September 8: Double Round Robin
September 14-19: Semi Finals (Best of 9)
September 26-October 7: Finals (Best of 13)

Team New Zealand competes in the round robin stage only, and the results of their races are not included in the challenger leaderboard. Races start at 14:00 CET (08:00 ET) and run until 16:30 or 17:00, depending on the schedule.

Following the publication of the AC37 Protocol and AC75 Class Rule on November 17, 2021, the AC75 Class Rule and AC Technical Regulations were finalized on March 17, 2022. The entry period was from December 1, 2021 until July 31, 2022, but late entries for the 37th America’s Cup could be accepted until May 31, 2023. The Defender was to announce the Match Venue on September 17, 2021 but postponed the reveal, finally confirming Barcelona on March 30, 2022. The 37th America’s Cup begins October 12, 2024.

Teams revealed to challenge defender Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL):
• INEOS Britannia (GBR)
• Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI)
• Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team (ITA)
• NYYC American Magic (USA)
• Orient Express Racing Team (FRA)

2023-24 Preliminary Regattas
September 14-17, 2023 (AC40): Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain
November 30-December 2 (AC40): Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
August 22-25, 2024 (AC75): Barcelona, Spain

2024 Louis Vuitton Cup Challenger Selection Series
August 29-September 8: Double Round Robin
September 14-19: Semi Finals (Best of 9)
September 26-October 7: Finals (Best of 13)

2024 America’s Cup
October 12-21: 37th Match (Best of 13)

For competition details, click here.

Additionally, 12 teams will compete in the 2024 Youth & Women’s America’s Cup.

Noticeboard: https://ac37noticeboard.acofficials.org/
Event details: www.americascup.com/en/home