Louis Vuitton Cup Day 6 Recap: Highlights and Key Moments in the Race
Cup Spy: Louis Vuitton Cup – Day 6 Review – Storms Pass Away
Welcome to Sail-World’s Early Edition of the Live Coverage of Race Day 6 of the Louis Vuitton Cup – September 5, 2024.
Racing is expected to proceed as scheduled on Race Day 6 of the Louis Vuitton Cup. This marks the second day of racing in the second round of the Round Robin phase of the regatta, originally set to conclude on Monday, September 9, with reserve days also in consideration.
Weather Prognosis:
America’s Cup Weather Partner, PredictWind, has provided a dedicated Race Weather Center that offers detailed daily weather breakdowns, live webcams, and historical weather data. The expected weather conditions indicate that the instability will completely dissipate, returning to normal conditions. Morning offshore winds will shift by midday, transitioning to southerly winds around 8 to 12 knots in the afternoon, coupled with calm seas and partly cloudy skies, making for great sailing conditions with air temperatures reaching 26°C.
Proposed Match Schedule:
- Match 18: American Magic vs. INEOS Britannia
- Match 19: Luna Rossa vs. Orient Express
- Match 20: Alinghi Red Bull Racing vs. American Magic
- Match 21: INEOS Britannia vs. Emirates Team NZ
- Match 24: Orient Express vs. Emirates Team New Zealand
All racing on Wednesday was canceled due to an unpredictable storm system affecting the Mediterranean coast. Only two of the four scheduled races for Tuesday were completed before sailing was halted because of an electrical storm and nearby lightning strikes. Originally, four races were scheduled, but a safety decision prevented racing from occurring on Wednesday.
The schedule has since been rearranged to facilitate five races, ensuring that every team competes without back-to-back races. Due to the limited amount of racing completed, it remains unclear if any team has speed superiority; the outcomes are currently dictated more by crew errors than the respective design teams’ abilities. Notably, winning the pre-start zone has proven critical, with approximately 75% of races being won by the team that rounds the first mark in front.
Emirates Team NZ has demonstrated exceptional performance, securing this first mark position twice against Luna Rossa and American Magic. Luna Rossa has successfully led once in a race, as has INEOS Britannia against Orient Express. Traditional metrics in previous America’s Cups suggest that the team leading at the first mark typically won around 90% of the races. In contrast, changes in leads are more variable, as seen with Team NZ’s recovery abilities in recent races.
The significance of factors such as rig and wingfoil turbulence appears frequently underestimated by many Cup crews, which has been evident in various races. The unseen impact of foil turbulence can significantly affect race dynamics and efficiency, with teams recognizing its relevance when conducting tow tests prior to race days.
If you haven’t done so, consider exploring our latest analysis on the cost and impact of foil falls using black-box data from the boats involved. This in-depth look at performance indicators provides valuable insights into the competitive landscape of the Louis Vuitton Cup.
Virtual Eye:
For comprehensive coverage of the America’s Cup, Sail-World will be utilizing Virtual Eye from ARL, a powerful tool that elevates viewer experience. After the races conclude, fans can replay the key moments or review the entire race through the Virtual Eye platform, which offers a dynamic 3D viewing experience.
Stay tuned for updates and additional live race coverage as the thrilling Louis Vuitton Cup progresses!
Louis Vuitton Cup Points and Leaderboard after Day 5
Series Format:
The competition features two phases of Round Robin racing with six teams. The schedule will be updated if racing takes place.
Course Location:
To be updated based on race developments.
Crew Lists:
To be updated as races proceed.
Emily Carter, a seasoned sailor and marine journalist from Vancouver, has a deep-seated passion for the ocean that has shaped her career. With a degree in Marine Journalism from the University of British Columbia, Emily has become known for her captivating and detailed storytelling. Her work vividly portrays the excitement of sailing and the distinct maritime culture of Canada, earning her a respected place in the sailing community. When not writing, Emily enjoys navigating the rugged coastlines of British Columbia and participating in local regattas, always eager to embark on her next maritime adventure.