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AC37—Some Cards Revealed at the Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta

Recall the winter of 2020/2021 during the pandemic when excitement was scarce in the sports world, with the America’s Cup emerging as a beacon of hope. This thrilling event took place off the coast of Auckland, New Zealand, from March 10-17, 2021, showcasing the innovative AC75 foiling monohulls. Among the unforgettable moments were images of fans celebrating together without masks or social distancing, as the Defender triumphed in familiar waters against fierce competitors.

Fast forward to 2024, and while the world has rebounded from the pandemic, some things remain unchanged. The AC75s continue to represent the pinnacle of speed and excitement in sailing, and Emirates Team New Zealand (ETNZ) remains at the forefront of this thrilling sport.

For those who may not have been following the America’s Cup closely over the past three and a half years, ETNZ, after clinching the 36th America’s Cup in Auckland, opted to host “AC37” in Barcelona, despite their previous success. In an exciting turn of events, two new teams have joined the competition, bringing the total to six for 2024. ETNZ is the Defender, with INEOS Britannia as the Challenger of Record. They are joined by veteran teams Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli and New York Yacht Club American Magic, along with newcomers Alinghi Red Bull Racing from Switzerland and Orient Express Racing Team from France.

All five challenging teams have been diligently designing, building, and training with their Version 2 AC75s for the upcoming Louis Vuitton Cup, scheduled from August 29 to September 7, which will determine the opponent for ETNZ in the Cup match taking place from October 12-27.

ETNZ has been equally motivated to develop a competitive Cup-winning team. Recently, racing fans got a glimpse of the teams’ performance during the Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta held off the coast of Barcelona from August 22-25.

As expected, ETNZ dominated, winning four out of five round robin races and ultimately securing victory in the finals against Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli. Skipper Peter Burling remarked on the importance of making strategic decisions during the racing, expressing a desire to improve despite their strong performance.

Meanwhile, New York Yacht Club American Magic made their mark in the regatta with a notable win against ETNZ. Paul Goodison, the team’s port helmsman, expressed satisfaction with their performance and highlighted the significance of sailing well in challenging conditions.

Terry Hutchinson, skipper and president of sailing operations for NYYC American Magic, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the team’s potential for growth and improvement as they prepare for the upcoming races.

The LVPR finals, featuring a fierce competition between LRPP and ETNZ, was not without drama. Francesco Bruni, LRPP’s port helmsman, acknowledged mistakes that led to penalties but remained proud of his team’s capabilities and the overall performance.

Though the Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta unveiled some insights into each team’s boat speed and teamwork, several questions linger. Will teams continue to optimize their performance, or did they hold back some strategies for future competitions? How will evolving boat designs impact racing? And can teams overcome mechanical challenges that previously arose?

Louis Vuitton Cup racing is just around the corner, commencing on August 29, promising further excitement and answers to these pressing questions. Get ready for the thrilling competition ahead as the teams prepare to showcase their skills and determination!

David Schmidt
Sail-World.com North American Editor

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