Powerless, betrayed by technical failures

The 2024 Youth America’s Cup was marred by breakdowns, and no team was impacted more than the French youth team. Anticipated to be a contender after training with the French America’s Cup team, they completed only three of the eight races and were eliminated in the first round.

Repeatedly dogged by technical issues that prevented them from showing what they could do, their 16 months of preparation had been undone, leaving a group of six young sailors and a data analyst, aged between 18 and 25, in a state of deep dismay.

The Orient Express-L’Oréal Racing Team was powerless and betrayed by repeated technical failures – primarily hydraulic issues – on their AC40, the maintenance of which had been provided by the event organizers since August 26, with event technicians serving all 12 competing teams.

“The fact that the technical problems on the boat occurred before the start of the races meant the race officials had to instruct our crew not to compete for safety reasons. In their terminology, the boat was classified as ‘INR’ – ‘Instructed Not to Race’ – which granted us 4 compensation points,” explained Louis Viat, Operations Director in coordination with the organizers.

After forced to sit out the first four of the eight-race series due to issues before the start, their luck got worse in the final qualifying race.

“The hydraulic issue could not be detected before the start,” explained Viat. “It was a leak at the rear of the boat, which the crew could not visually detect. The boat ended up almost entirely out of hydraulic fluid, making it uncontrollable and unmanageable.

“It no longer responded to the sailors’ commands, and they were forced to withdraw from the race. We did everything we could to explain the situation, but our request for redress was denied.”

Had redress been granted, the French team would have been given INR status and the corresponding 4 points, allowing them to advance to the next stage of the event.

“We inevitably end this campaign feeling frustrated, betrayed by technical issues after months of preparation,” said Enzo Balanger, skipper and helmsman of the AC40. “We were confident in our sailing abilities and our training sessions showed we could hold our own against the other teams.”

The French competed in the 6-team pool which included crews from each of the America’s Cup entrants, with the youth squad posting scores of 3-4-1 in the only races they could complete.

Viewing details – Race information – Results – Weather forecast

Format: Beginning September 17, 12 teams were split into two groups of six for an initial fleet race series in the AC40s. The top three teams from each side after eight races 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: Orient Express, Scuttlebutt