LVC37: USA survives non-foiler scare

Barcelona, Spain (August 30, 2024) – When the AC75 foiling monohull was introduced for the 2021 America’s Cup, the non-foiling races in light winds were a train wreck. While the 6.5 knot minimum wind requirement was not increased for the 2024 event, changes to the boat were meant to improve flight.

But the problem persists, and while the new and improved AC75 appears to initiate foiling easier than its predecessor, touch downs remain painful. Yesterday, it was American Magic that fell off the foils in the pre-start to lose their race, and today the USA team watched as their opponent Alinghi Red Bull Racing did the same during the Louis Vuitton Cup.

The Americans were unopposed at the start, sailing on the foils and stretching into an enormous lead that they clung to tenaciously with some superb boat control from helmsmen Tom Slingsby and Paul Goodison aligned with flight control from Michael Menninger and Andrew Campbell. It was a race, however, that never felt over with much jeopardy across the racecourse on all four legs.

With the Race Committee shortening the course length repeatedly and eventually calling for the finish at the end of leg four (of a possible six) with the time-limit of 45 minutes a factor, both boats were at one stage in displacement, off their foils in sync, desperate to attain flight.

The Americans though, had built a massive lead of almost a leg and ghosted across the finish line, again off the foils, to score their first win of the Louis Vuitton Cup, with Alinghi Red Bull Racing losing by two minutes and 58 seconds.

“We had a little bit of breeze when we started the race, and we had got them off the foils so we were thinking ‘okay we should be able to just cruise around the racetrack’,” noted Slingsby. “But the wind started dying and dying and went from sort of 7.5 to 6.5 knots and then we were getting patches of five knots at times.

“When we fell off the foils going down the last run, I started trying to do the mental maths: If I sail 10 knots at 120 degrees and he is now on the foils, how long is it going to take him to catch us. Those conditions are so stressful and I’m glad we had a big enough lead to put points on the board.”

The second race of the day saw INEOS Britannia unopposed as Team New Zealand was repairing their boat from the previous day’s accident. The schedule and the rules dictated the British team needed to complete the starting sequence and begin the race before the Chief Umpire, Richard Slater called the win for the British.

Light winds continued, postponing the remaining two races for tomorrow when the Race Committee will attempt six races, with the two missed races today to be raced at the top of the program. Conditions are forecast to stay light but slightly improved over today.

Viewing details – Race information – Results – Weather forecast

2024 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 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