LVC37: Is it fair to shorten the course?

Barcelona, Spain (August 30, 2024) – The marginal conditions during the challenger selection races for the Louis Vuitton Cup have kept the race committee busy adjusting the course to the wind, but also the leg lengths to assure completion inside of the 45-minute limit. Or is that the reason?

The question has risen about fairness, as races are finishing well within the limit, and a shorter course is a disadvantage to the trailing boat. That was the scenario today as Alinghi Red Bull Racing lost in their match to NYYC American Magic.

The race committee repeatedly shortened the course, reducing it six times in the span of 12 minutes, from 1.3 nautical miles down to 0.9 nautical miles. On the fourth leg, to keep the race duration within limits, race officials decided to cut the race down from six to four legs, with American Magic completing the course in 31:54

“The biggest frustration of today, when you’re trying to chase the other boat around the course, is when the race committee shortens the course with the objective of getting a 23-minute race,” noted Rodney Ardern, Alinghi Sailing Team Manager. “We have a 45-minute time limit in the rules, so we all struggle to understand what the urgency is to shorten the races even while you’re on that leg of the course.

“We understand you can shorten the legs—range and bearing of the marks—during the race, but today we had multiple length changes of the course while boats were already on that leg. On an ever-shrinking course, that made it virtually impossible to catch up, which is super frustrating.”

Races must be at least four legs, but there is no restriction on leg length, with the race committee making adjustments during the race to meet an unpublished target length of 23 minutes to complete, which is the preferred time for broadcasters.

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)

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