All even at Louis Vuitton Cup Final

Barcelona, Spain (September 26, 2024) – What was revealed on the first day of the Louis Vuitton Cup Final between INEOS Britannia and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli? The obvious was that each challenger won a race. The less obvious was how each lost a race.

With a solid south-westerly ‘Garbi’ breeze that topped the upper wind limit of 21 knots more than once, it was survival sailing in the rough sea-state along the eight-leg races. With speeds in excess of 52 knots on the bear-aways at the windward mark, the AC75s were at their limit.

The opening race saw the Brits make a mess of the start, and the Italians took no prisoners. The broadcast had to pull back the camera to capture both boats in the same frame, as the Brits slowly faded to 700 meters during the race. That’s not close, unless the lead boat wipes out. It didn’t.

After a couple of delays as the maximum wind limit of 21 knots was breached – the first time this has happened in the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup – Race 2 got underway.

Both teams got off the start line more even, and the Brits held position to leeward with the Italians on their hip. That alignment held to the boundary, with the Brits able to remain in control when both teams tacked to port. The Brits were ahead for the full race, but Italy was never far astern, and not remotely as far behind as the Brits were in the first race. Hmmm…

“I thought the performances were pretty similar, they made a couple of errors maneuver-wise in that first race and we were able to step out,” noted Jimmy Spithill, starboard helmsman of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli. “In the second race they sailed it very clean so performance-wise there not a whole lot in it but obviously we’ll be checking on that tonight.”

Sir Ben Ainslie, skipper of INEOS Britannia, reflected on the performance profile of the two AC75s: “It’s hard to really read the performance I think when both boats got in front they did a nice job of controlling the race and it’s always a little bit hard for the boat behind in those situations.

“The thing that’s hard when you’re watching is to understand how difficult these boats are to sail, we were totally red lining it all day, the foils were cavitating, literally every foil, and trying to manage the boat in those circumstances it seriously takes every ounce of focus and concentration and fitness from the cyclors to get the power down, so full team effort on a day like today, but it was great fun.”

First team to win seven races wins Louis Vuitton Cup.

With the series tied after the opening day’s two-race action, the schedule sees the teams return to duty for two more races on September 28 when lighter conditions forecast. Racing starts at 2:00pm CEST and run until 4:30pm or 5:00pm, depending on the race schedule.

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 Youth America’s Cup and Women’s America’s Cup.

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

Source: ACE, Scuttlebutt