Drive it like you stole it in Barcelona

Barcelona, Spain (September 17, 2024) – The training for the Youth America’s Cup had been hampered by light winds, and that was the setting today as the lower-end wind-limit of 7.5 knots struggled to be met to start the competition. But with a promising forecast late in the day for the AC40 teams, a long postponement was rewarded.

Pressure thundered in from the south-east as dark, angry cloud cover came in from across the Mediterranean, delivering a gusty, solid, 14-16 knots atop a building sea state over a metre in height.

With the 12-team field in two groups, the first fleet race for Pool A got underway just before 1800 CET with the entire fleet stuck on their biggest J1 jibs which added significantly to the challenge, but from the start it was the experience of the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team that came to the fore.

Marco Gradoni and Gianluigi Ugolini powered into a commanding lead for Italy with pace and pointing ability that was next-level. The Emirates Team New Zealand challenge was negated by an early start, so it was down to American Magic with Harry Melges and Kyle Navin helming, to give chase.

Italy held it together over six legs of the course, sailing cautiously when required in the waves and surviving some big scares, to notch the first win of the series.

“The conditions were pretty tricky out here this afternoon, we’ve got really big waves, the whole fleet got stuck out here on the J1s which made the boats tricky to sail,” said Harry Melges, skipper of NYYC American Magic. “It was definitely quite out of balance; we were in full survival mode for that race.”

With the Race Committee instructing Pool A teams to change down to the smaller J3 jibs, race two got underway with the French and Swiss teams both ordered not to sail due to technical issues on board their boats.

Off the start, Emirates Team New Zealand held the lead with Italy and USA close, but a splashdown on the first downwind brought an end to their challenge. Luna Rossa strode into the lead but it was tenuous, and American Magic were chasing hard.

As conditions worsened, the race was shortened to four legs. With USA and Italy on the final upwind leg, and the wind peaking at 18 knots, American Magic nailed the starboard layline out by the right boundary, and with speeds in excess of 30 knots, took the lead and held it to the finish, with Kyle Navin and Harry Melges crossing the line at 40 knots.

It’s all square at the top of the standings with NYYC American Magic and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli tied on points, whilst also sharing third are Emirates Team New Zealand and Athena Pathway.

Talking about overtaking the Italians upwind, Melges noted how that gave them a lot of confidence. “Now we’ve got two races down, we’ve got what it takes and we’re going to keep battling for the rest of the regatta. We definitely like to send it at American Magic.”

Gradoni added, “It was really difficult, especially downwind…. crazy passing through the waves. I’m really proud of the boys because they’re less experienced than me but they learn super-fast, and we know we can be better.”

Tomorrow will see four races, starting from 10:30 CET with two Pool A races and two Pool B (Invited Teams) races scheduled.

Viewing details – Race information – Weather forecast

Format: Twelve teams are split into two groups of six for an initial fleet race series. The top three teams from each side after eight races will race together in four fleet races to decide the top-two crews and from there it’s a one-race, winner-takes-all for the title on September 26.

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 9: 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, but the results of their races were not included in the challenger leaderboard.

2024 America’s Cup
October 12-27: 37th Match (Best of 13)

For competition details, click here.

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

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

Source: ACE