Will Great Britain be too much for New Zealand?

by Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt Sailing News
The Louis Vuitton Cup fulfilled its mission of providing a competition to advance the best challenger to the 37th America’s Cup. INEOS Britannia was most certainly not the best when the series began August 29, but the British team proved to be for their final race on October 4.

While the devil is in the details, which is hard to detect with the hyper-tech AC75 yacht, the British squeezed more out of their boat than the others. The French were first to go, then the Swiss were no match, and the USA couldn’t get it together. As for the Italians, they plateaued while the Brits continued their climb.

Aside from it being 60 years since Great Britain had a yacht compete in the America’s Cup Match, INEOS Brtannia is not going to cheat the viewer when they face the Kiwi defender. While the AC75 yacht may not be everyone’s cup of tea, the Brits aren’t afraid to match race, and the America’s Cup is a match racing event.

The Italians were plenty good in the Louis Vuitton Finals, but the Brits remembered match racing mattered. While Italy was likely to play the course and wind shifts, the Brits were as likely to play their opponent. Passing is hard after the start, and British skipper Ben Ainslie made it harder. Watching punches thrown and landed is entertaining.

Ainslie was the 2010 Match Racing World Champion, and his team was the most aggressive and inventive before the gun. When they mastered what moves were possible, and improved their all-around speed, they were too much for Italy. Will they be too much for New Zealand? The 37th Match (best of 13 series) is October 12-27.

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