American Magic Splits Results: Highlights from a Win and a Loss
Louis Vuitton Cup Day 6: American Magic Splits Results with a Win and a Loss
The schedule for the sixth day of racing at the Louis Vuitton Cup called for two matches for NYYC American Magic. The team first faced the British Challenger of Record, INEOS Britannia, followed by a match against Switzerland’s Alinghi Red Bull Racing in the day’s penultimate fourth race.
The opening race against the British was a closely fought battle, with the lead trading back and forth between the two crews in light, unstable winds that made staying on the foils a real challenge for both teams. The pre-start saw minimal engagement, as both teams focused on staying airborne and making a clean start in the tricky conditions. Slingsby and Goodison appeared to have the upper hand in the final minute when the British yacht splashed down, but at the start gun, it was virtually even, with INEOS taking the stern of NYYC American Magic to start on port while Patriot powered off to the left.
After taking control on the first upwind leg, American Magic rounded the first windward gate with a 20-second lead, which they maintained—despite constant attacks from the British—until the final windward gate. A brief splashdown cost them distance and handed the lead to INEOS Britannia. However, the race was far from over. After a wobbly jibe from the UK crew in the final quarter of the last downwind leg, superior boat handling by NYYC American Magic enabled them to regain control and close out the victory by a margin of 13 seconds.
Paul Goodison reflected: "We needed that. It wasn’t pretty, but we got it done."
In the second race, American Magic faced Alinghi Red Bull Racing in a challenging match that began with drama, as Alinghi briefly fell off the foils but recovered quickly. American Magic incurred an early-entry penalty, starting 75 meters behind. The race ended in a disappointing defeat, with the Swiss team capitalizing on their start before adopting a close-covering strategy that gave the Patriot crew little opportunity to make gains. Alinghi finished the race 38 seconds ahead.
Today’s single point leaves NYYC American Magic third in the Louis Vuitton Cup challenger rankings, behind Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli in first and INEOS Britannia in second.
American Magic holds a 3-3 record in the Louis Vuitton Round Robin Series. On Saturday, the team will aim to bounce back in its final point-scoring races against Luna Rossa and the Orient Express Racing Team.
Post-race, Paul Goodison reflected on the day: "It literally feels like I’ve done ten rounds with Mike Tyson. I feel like we had the seven bells knocked out of us, but the good news is that we got another point on the board, and we have plenty of lessons that we can take from today to move forward."
Tom Slingsby, starboard helm on NYYC American Magic, remarked, "And that’s frustrating, a penalty that I shouldn’t have gotten. And then, from there, we didn’t sail a great race. Our maneuvers weren’t as good as they should be. And, yeah, we’ve got plenty to work on."
Alex Tanaka, a seasoned sailor and marine journalist from Singapore, has a deep passion for the sea that began in childhood. With a degree in Marine Journalism from the National University of Singapore, Alex has built a reputation for insightful and engaging storytelling. Their work captures the excitement of sailing and the intricate details of maritime life, making them a respected voice in the sailing community. When not writing, Alex enjoys exploring new waters and participating in local regattas, always seeking the next adventure on the horizon.