Kiwi team sweep America’s Cup opener
Published on October 12th, 2024
Barcelona, Spain (October 12, 2024) – When the defender and challenger line up for the the first race of an America’s Cup, there is a moment of truth as to who may win the match. While tactics and boat handling can lose races, a fast boat wins races, and Team New Zealand has a fast boat for the 37th Match.
In the first two races today, the Kiwis jumped off the start line better than their British opponent, maintained pace through their maneuvers, and were not dumb on the course. More so, the pre-start aggressiveness that INEOS Britannia displayed in the challenger series was matched by the defender. The Scuttlebutt poll had the 37th Match winner at 7-4. It might not go that far.
With low cloud cover sucking up the wind, initially the Race Committee went into postponement but as the clouds slowly cleared and separated, in came a tricky and puffy south westerly breeze that filled to a maximum of 12 knots in the puffs but could cruelly leave wind holes at will right across the racecourse.
Racing got underway after a short postponement with INEOS Britannia struggling to get into flight down at the bottom of the pre-start box with three minutes to go, whilst Team New Zealand were well into their drills to start at the port end of the line. The British were late, entering with only just over a minute to go and were faced with a determined Kiwi team who were doing their level best to disrupt airflow, positioning and the ultimate lead back to the line.
In the final throes of the start, Team New Zealand started fast to leeward with separation, leaping forward off the line and by the time of the first tack back had established a lead that they would never lose over the next six legs of the course. The final winning delta was 41 seconds and 1-0 to Emirates Team New Zealand.
With the enormity of the challenge before them, a fired-up INEOS Britannia came into the second race with more determination and accuracy. A port entry gave the British a chance to execute their characteristic tack-around-and-trail move once across the Kiwis, something that had worked so well against Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli but were greeted with an aggressive Team New Zealand who had gybed around, came back on starboard tack and dictated tactics thereafter.
With more pressure on the right side of the course, what followed was a dance to hold the right side off the line, and as the clock ticked down it was the Kiwi boat to windward with speed who tacked right on the starboard marker, with pace, and headed to the right boundary.
The duel ensued with lead changes aplenty that eventually arm wrestled in Team New Zealand’s favor but on a shorter-legged course and more laps (eight laps this race), maneuver execution was tested as the wind hovered around 8-10 knots.
The crucial decider was the third beat where Team New Zealand stepped out on INEOS Britannia who had been gambling to the right side of the course whilst new breeze was coming in left. The Kiwis bounced the British relentlessly right and bore away with a 28 second lead that they never looked like losing.
By the finish, the Kiwis were 27 seconds ahead, moving to 2-0 up in the 37th America’s Cup Match and have set the sailing bar high for INEOS Britannia to try and compete.
Speaking afterwards Andy Maloney, starboard trimmer on ‘Taihoro’ reflected on a perfect day for Emirates Team New Zealand:
“It was really hard to get every phase right today. There was a little sea state coming through, so being super accurate on the flight and the trim of the boat was really difficult as well. We were doing everything we could to try and pull off good maneuvers but even then, it felt like we were making some mistakes, so I think there’s a lot in the technique, but I think both boats were going really well. It will be interesting to watch it back, but it’s tight.”
Sir Ben Ainslie, skipper of INEOS Britannia came ashore with an air of calm and assessed the day:
“It wasn’t the day we were looking for to start off, but all credit to them, they sailed two really good races. For us it was a great opportunity to check in and suddenly it feels like we need to up our game in a few areas.
“We will take a look at where they were out-performing us and why and our coaches will no doubt do a great job with the technicians and engineers trying to help us figure that out. There’s a long way to go in a series and we will keep plugging away.”
Exuding an air of confidence and determination, Ainslie added: “It’s definitely not a time for panicking and we’ve all seen that the America’s Cup is a funny old game, and things can change pretty quick, so we’ve just got to keep plugging away and as a team we will look again at the way we sailed, and we’ll just take every opportunity to learn and improve.
“I definitely think that whilst they won the two races today, I think it was maybe a little bit closer than it looks, so we will keep pushing to find that extra speed in the performance and in the maneuvers and come out swinging. Tomorrow’s another day.”
Racing returns to the course tomorrow with two more races, beginning at 14:00 CET (8:00 EDT).
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, SSN