Insights from Day 4 of the Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta
Key Takeaways from Day 4 of the Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta – Barcelona
A big sea state and swell contributes to better racing. Sunday delivered some of the most thrilling races witnessed so far.
Tactical and boat-handling mistakes were abundant. The conditions posed significant challenges for the AC75 teams, where the choice of jib proved to be critical.
Unwind VMG was demonstrated multiple times, enhancing the viewer’s understanding of the race dynamics.
No cockpit view names yet, making it hard for viewers to identify the sailors during the races.
Match Overview: Emirates Team New Zealand vs. New York Yacht Club American Magic
The US team executed a tight start, matching the Kiwi team’s moves as they maneuvered off their starboard quarter. The New Zealand team had to tack away early, allowing American Magic to cross by 100 meters as they came together.
The US team expertly reduced their maneuvers upwind and comfortably led the race, increasing their delta to a maximum of 50 seconds by Leeward Gate 4. This lead was reduced to 28 seconds at the finish, as American Magic seemed to ease off in the swell to ensure safe sailing after achieving a solid lead.
Celebrations ensued on the American Coach Boat. Tom Slingsby remarked, “We know we can do it. When we sail to our potential, it’s great, and it’s nice to finish on a high.”
Match Overview: Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli vs. Alinghi Red Bull Racing
A strong start from Alinghi forced Luna Rossa to cross the start line early, which set them 500 meters behind the Swiss team right from the beginning.
At Windward Gate 1, Alinghi led by 34 seconds. However, they encountered a significant error during a gybe, losing grip on the rudder and falling off the foils. They quickly regained sailing speed but accidentally hounded Luna Rossa, leading to a penalty that pushed the Italians back 75 meters.
By Leeward Gate 2, Alinghi led by just 9 seconds, with only 90 meters separating the boats, giving Luna Rossa a chance to reenter the race. Alinghi’s subsequent tactical misstep allowed Luna Rossa to gain the edge, leading at Windward Gate 3 by 12 seconds.
The winds picked up to 12 knots, prompting an extension of the race length. Luna Rossa increased their lead to 13 seconds by Windward Gate 5 and demonstrated exceptional downwind sailing to clinch victory by 46 seconds. Coach Philippe Presti acknowledged the challenging sea state, saying, “The sea state is super-challenging, and we haven’t had it for a while.” This match was considered the most thrilling of the event so far.
Match Overview: Orient Express Racing Team vs. INEOS Britannia
The French team entered the starting box late and deep, ultimately becoming vulnerable to the British team, which resulted in a penalty for Orient Express. The British team then made a mistake by tacking and crossing the line early, putting them at a disadvantage.
The French team covered the British closely during the initial tacks, leading at Windward Gate 1 by 16 seconds. Downwind, the British team managed to cross the French after a slow gybe from Orient Express, subsequently leading by 11 seconds at Leeward Gate 2.
As wind conditions varied, the course was shortened to finish at Windward Gate 5. French Coach Thierry Peponnet mentioned their choice of jib (J3) was incorrect, citing a lack of power during the race. Despite a less-than-perfect leeward mark rounding, INEOS Britannia emerged victorious by 48 seconds. While it was entertaining to watch, the race was marked by numerous tactical and handling errors.
Final Match: Emirates Team New Zealand vs. Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli
During the pre-start, Italy incurred a penalty for crossing too closely to New Zealand while on port tack. At the race start, the Italians tacked onto port, followed by the Kiwis to make it challenging for Luna Rossa to recover from their penalty.
Emirates Team New Zealand effectively covered Luna Rossa upwind and switched to a loose cover on the Windward Gate 1 layline to secure a 22-second lead.
The final upwind leg brought fresh tension as Luna Rossa faced two penalties in heated exchanges. Each time, the Italians failed to keep clear as the Kiwis executed their tacks. This ultimately determined the outcome, leading to Emirates Team New Zealand’s victory in the Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta – Barcelona.
After several lackluster days of racing, the America’s Cup has come alive in Barcelona, and it’s evident that viewers eagerly anticipate exciting races in challenging sea conditions.
Ava Thompson, a skilled sailor and marine journalist from Auckland, has developed a deep connection to the ocean that guides her work. With a degree in Marine Journalism from the University of Auckland, Ava is known for her engaging and detailed storytelling. Her writing brings to life the thrill of sailing and the unique maritime culture of New Zealand, earning her recognition in the sailing community. Outside of her journalism, Ava enjoys exploring the rugged coastlines of New Zealand and competing in local regattas, always in search of her next seafaring adventure.