Italy setting pace at Youth America’s Cup

Barcelona, Spain (September 18, 2024) – After big wind and waves yesterday created extreme sailing for the Youth America’s Cup, teams were greeted today with a sea-state of almost a metre and a patchy breeze that ranged from 8 to 14 knots. Pool A teams returned to the course where maneuver consistency and tactical acumen was rewarded.

In the opening fleet race of the day, and the third for the six America’s Cup team representatives, both NYYC American Magic and Orient Express L’Oreal Racing Team were unable to compete. The remaining four teams from Italy, Switzerland, New Zealand, and Great Britain took flight and put on a heck of a display.

A tight first beat was aced by Emirates Team New Zealand at the first turning gate, with the British Athena Pathway crew and the Italians giving chase close behind. Italy, paralleling on port tack, were given a boat boundary penalty on the final approaches into the first gate for getting too close to the British as they both ducked to avoid a collision with the right-of-way, starboard tack, Kiwis.

On the first downwind, however, having expunged their penalty, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli capitalized on gybe errors from the Kiwis and British to seize a lead that they would never lose over the next four legs, followed by the Brits, Kiwis, and Swiss.

For race two of the day and number four of the series, it was a familiar story with Italy powering off the start line with pace and height to really put the pressure on the fleet. Initial competition came from New Zealand, but their challenge faded after maneuver errors down the first run that allowed the Italians to extend and never be headed.

The story of the race though was for second and third, with the British and Swiss duking it out tack-for-tack and gybe-for-gybe all the way to the finish. The British squeezed ahead on the final gybe to secure their second runners-up place of the day and move themselves up the points table.

Luna Rossa’s two victories today sees them extend their lead at the top of the Group A leaderboard to 12 points ahead of NYYC American Magic in second and Great Britain’s Athena Pathway in third.

“It was tricky again, big waves and good breeze that came in, it was super dynamic, super shifty and puffy,” said Italy trimmer Rocco Falcone. “The boys sailed well and we had two great races where we made great starts and after that just kept it simple and kept it fast.”

Italy helm Gianluigi Ugolini added, “We haven’t done much sailing in these big conditions, so we are just focusing on our boat-handling, and we are not talking about the points at the moment. For sure, it would be a beautiful thing to win the Youth America’s Cup, but at the moment we cannot think that far ahead, we are just thinking about qualifying for the semi-final.”

Four more races are to come for the America’s Cup teams of Group A, while the Group B Invited Teams are scheduled to start racing tomorrow.

Viewing details – Race information – Weather forecast

Format: Racing AC40s, 12 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