Key Takeaways from Day 3 of the Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta

Insights from Day 3 of the Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta – Barcelona

The competitive landscape is becoming clearer as teams navigate through the regatta. Defenders, Emirates Team New Zealand, are demonstrating exceptional calm and confidence at the top. Meanwhile, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli has positioned themselves as arguably the best among the Challengers, although New York Yacht Club American Magic also makes a strong case for this title.

INEOS Britannia managed to secure their first point, boosting their confidence and placing them just above Alinghi Red Bull Racing. Conversely, Orient Express Racing Team appears to be struggling relative to the others.

It’s important to keep in mind that these AC75 boats are continuously evolving. Ongoing developments in boat design, software updates, and trim adjustments mean that the current state of competition is far from the final product.

During the live coverage, a notable addition was the inclusion of Velocity Made Good (VMG) metrics on downwind legs, which provides valuable insight into race dynamics. While understanding straight-line speed is helpful, knowing how quickly boats approach upcoming marks is crucial. Ideally, this information would also be available for upwind legs.

The live communication from the AC75s was particularly beneficial, as commentators wisely tuned in to on-board conversations at strategic moments.

Insights from team coaches offered helpful perspectives on speed and tactical approaches, enriching the viewer experience.

Displaying sailor names alongside cockpit views would enhance viewer engagement, as identifying sailors behind visors can be challenging. It’s increasingly important to recognize the athletes, especially given their enclosed positions in the yachts.

Capturing camera views of cyclors would highlight their physical contributions, as AC75s heavily depend on the power they produce. Showcasing their efforts on camera would help audiences appreciate the challenges they endure during races.

INEOS Britannia vs. Alinghi Red Bull Racing

Both teams demonstrated excellent timing and distance at the start, tacking in unison near the left boundary upwind. Alinghi pressed up on port tack, forcing INEOS Britannia to tack away.

In their next engagement, INEOS Britannia ducked Alinghi while on port, seizing the favored right side of the course. They overtook the Swiss team and tacked in front of them at the right mark of the windward gate, maintaining their control throughout the race and ultimately winning by a comfortable 33 seconds. British coach Robbie Wilson noted that while they are still seeking improved upwind speed, they are pleased with their downwind performance.

New York Yacht Club American Magic vs. Orient Express Racing Team

The American team encountered difficulties, falling off the foils before the start due to a rudder stall, resulting in a bang that prompted their retirement. This allowed Orient Express Racing Team to secure their first win with minimal resistance.

The American shore team will need to put in significant work overnight to ensure their AC75 is prepared for the next day’s racing.

Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli vs. INEOS Britannia

INEOS Britannia experienced a pre-start boundary penalty, entering the start box just slightly early. They managed to start well but had to backtrack by 75 meters due to the penalty.

Additional penalties were incurred by the British team on the upwind leg when they tacked from starboard to port a bit too late. However, during the first downwind leg, INEOS Britannia closed the gap by seven seconds. Despite a dwindling breeze and continually shortened course lengths, Luna Rossa maintained control, winning the race by 46 seconds.

Alinghi Red Bull Racing vs. Emirates Team New Zealand

A captivating pre-start scene unfolded as the Kiwis attempted to push Alinghi, seeking to hook them. The Swiss team successfully kept their distance, forcing Emirates Team New Zealand to tack away and start on port.

The Kiwis built a lead and executed well in a tacking duel, showcasing outstanding maneuverability. As the breeze eased to just 7 to 8 knots, Emirates Team New Zealand demonstrated their ability to maintain speed during tacks and gybes while communicating effectively.