LVC37: Fast start for GBR, Italy

Barcelona, Spain (September 14, 2024) – The business end of the Louis Vuitton Cup challenger selection series began today as the Semi-Finals got underway with INEOS Britannia and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli winning both races in their best of nine matches.

In variable winds from a seven to 13 knots coming in across the Mediterranean from the south-south-west, the British dismantled the Swiss to begin their best of 9 series. ‘Britannia’ was fast both upwind and downwind, and in both races were able to stretch into enormous leads that were never challenged.

“We’ve been working hard since the Round Robins, a massive effort from the shore team to get Britannia ready for the semis, and it feels like we’re building some good momentum,” noted port helm Dylan Fletcher. “With the breeze up and down, it was difficult to know what jib to be on. So we are happy to get through it.

“We’ve been working hard on the maneuvers and the big feature has been tacks for us, as we kind of felt like our gybes have been basically good for a while, but we’ve been looking at our tacks and they’ve been getting better. I think, for me, the key thing is just consistency, just building that consistency, and then being able to look out – heads out of the boat.”

In the other match, NYYC American Magic got the advantage in both starts but Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli never was far astern. Despite leading both races, USA lacked a performance advantage to break away, with the Italians eventually getting some space for the pass and the win.

“We’re really happy with the way we sailed,” said USA helm Tom Slingsby. “The guys did an amazing job, but to lose two tight ones, it hurts. We’ve made some improvements to the boat and it feels a bit better, a bit more reliable. We feel like we are right in the race. We know that it could have gone either way today and we are excited heading into tomorrow.”

Viewing details – Race information – Results – Weather forecast

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 2024 Youth & Women’s America’s Cup.

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

Source: ACE