LVC37: New Zealand returns from dead

Barcelona, Spain (August 31, 2024) – There was high praise for Team New Zealand that repaired their boat for racing today, but the sailing conditions were not all that inviting as light winds continued for the Louis Vuitton Cup.

Despite the difficult forecast, the Italian team of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli showed outstanding skill, winning two points from two races, and top the rankings amongst the Challenger teams tonight.

Plenty of positives could be taken away from the other single-race winners on the day including NYYC American Magic, INEOS Britannia, and Emirates Team New Zealand, but for Alinghi Red Bull Racing and Orient Express Racing Team, they both are looking up the leaderboard, knowing they are in a fight for survival.

It was especially tough for the Swiss, who suffered a third straight defeat in the Louis Vuitton Cup, falling off their foils in a haze of wing-wash thrown mercilessly down at the start of their race against INEOS Britannia who themselves survived a late fall off the foils on the final downwind leg, but managed to to recover to take the win. The British went on to succumb to a light-airs defeat against Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, where a foil fall was more costly.

“We came off the foil in the first race which gave Alinghi Red Bull Racing a sniff of getting back into the race – pretty stressful moments – but we managed to get that point across-the-board,” noted British helm Ben Ainslie. “Then another nice start against the Italians, got the first cross but all the pressure came in from the left at the top of that beat and they got the cross, got the lead.”

The Swiss sit frustrated at the bottom of the standings of the Louis Vuitton Cup with the team eyeing time in the simulator to improve. “Again, we didn’t manage to take a start, and we didn’t anticipate how big the bad air was between the boats, so very difficult, but it’s not over,” said Maxime Bachelin, port helm. “We will keep pushing and we will work more on the mini-patterns in the simulator.”

The race of the day on paper was the opener between Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli and NYYC American Magic with these two very even teams going head-to-head and just one poor tack on the opening upwind leg by the Americans separating the two. Once ahead, Luna Rossa never looked back despite the distance delta not increasing over the remaining five legs and the Americans keeping it remarkably tight.

“I thought we sailed pretty well today,” observed Paul Goodison, USA port helm. “We got really good starts, and we won both first crosses. In the past when we have won the first cross, we’ve gone on to win, so we are obviously frustrated that the Italians got round us in a very close race. We have learned that the more consistent we are, the better we are. So, we just have to keep polishing and brushing up around the edges. The Italians sailed a good race, but I don’t think there’s too much in it.”

NYYC American Magic went on to secure a point against Orient Express Racing after a very light airs race that saw both teams fighting to stay on the foils and some snakes and ladders on a tricky course. The Americans just executed better and, despite the race being too close to call at times with the French once again proved they have a fast design. Ultimately a poor layline call and gybe ended French hopes, and the win went to NYYC American Magic by a flattering margin.

“I’m pleased with the boat performance but I’m not happy,” admitted French helm Quentin Delapierre. “I mean they were just in front of us, I think 50 or 60 metres and we had a great comeback. This is the kind of match-race you want to win so it’s really disappointing honestly, but there are a lot of positive vibes on the boat and the boat handling and also for the shore crew. We are in a good rhythm, but we need to score.”

The only other scoreboard chalk today was by Emirates Team New Zealand who came bouncing back to the racecourse in their impressively repaired ‘Taihoro.’ A race unopposed against the French, who retired before the start with mainsail issues, allowed the Kiwis to give their AC75 a full test at race pace. It passed with flying colors but there will be sterner tests ahead for sure, starting tomorrow.

“To the whole team, just a massive well done,” shared Blair Tuke, Flight Controller. “It certainly tested us as a team over the last few days but an amazing response from everyone.

“It was a very scary and tense time, a delicate situation and really unlucky to begin with, but lucky with just how minimal the damage was compared to what it could have been. We’re back racing two days later, we didn’t get that much action in, but the boat felt great, and we are back in it, pushing it as we always would. It’s just a credit to everyone in the team.”

Racing continues tomorrow at the conclusion of the opening Round Robin of the Louis Vuitton Cup with four races scheduled. The first race of the day will be the catch-up from today’s abandoned final race between Alinghi Red Bull Racing and Emirates Team New Zealand before the three final scheduled races of the Round Robin.

The pecking order is starting to become established but there is still all to play for as the first Round Robin comes to a conclusion and next week’s deciding second Round Robin begins. The harsh fact remains: one of these teams exits the competition at the end of the second round robin.

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

Source: ACE