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Louis Vuitton Cup Day 3: Patience and Accuracy Rewarded
It was a challenging day at the Louis Vuitton Cup in Barcelona, where the world’s top sailors faced light winds that brought both elation and frustration. The Italian team, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, showcased exceptional skill, winning two races and asserting their dominance among the Challenger teams.
Other notable single-race winners included NYYC American Magic, INEOS Britannia, and Emirates Team New Zealand. However, Alinghi Red Bull Racing and Orient Express Racing Team are struggling and fighting for survival at the bottom of the leaderboard. Alinghi suffered a third consecutive defeat, falling off their foils during a race against INEOS Britannia, who managed to recover and win.
Sir Ben Ainslie expressed optimism after racing, reflecting on their performances: “We had a couple of good races today, with nice starts. Despite falling off the foil in the first race, we managed to secure the point. Against the Italians, we led at one point, but fell off the foil in light air, which cost us the race. They did a great job.”
The Swiss team is currently frustrated, looking to improve their performances in simulations. Maxime Bachelin, the port helm, remarked: “It was a tough day. We didn’t anticipate how significant the bad air was between the boats, but it’s not over. We will keep pushing forward.”
On paper, the standout race of the day featured Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli against NYYC American Magic, with both teams closely matched. A single poor tack by the Americans allowed Luna Rossa to take the lead, which they maintained throughout the race despite American Magic’s tight competition.
Luna Rossa’s helmsmen, Jimmy Spithill and Francesco Bruni, were praised for their brilliant sailing, while the Flight Control team earned accolades for their impressive control. Spithill highlighted their high-level performance and the importance of technique as they work towards further improving their AC75.
Paul Goodison from NYYC American Magic spoke about the importance of consistency in elite racing: “We sailed well today. We had excellent starts and made good early crosses. While we are frustrated with the close loss to the Italians, we recognize the need to keep refining our performance.”
NYYC American Magic later secured a win against Orient Express Racing in a race marked by light airs, where both teams battled to stay on the foils. Ultimately, the Americans executed their strategies better, though the French team displayed promising speed.
Quentin Delapierre from Orient Express expressed both disappointment and optimism: “While I’m pleased with our boat performance, I’m not happy with the outcome. There’s positive energy on the boat, and we need to capitalize on our potential.”
Emirates Team New Zealand faced no opposition when they raced against Orient Express, who retired before the start due to mainsail issues. This allowed the Kiwis to test their repaired AC75, which performed excellently.
Blair Tuke from Emirates praised the team’s efforts and the quick turnaround after repairs, stating: “It was a tense time, but we were fortunate with the minimal damage. We are back racing and ready to compete.”
Racing continues on Sunday as the first Round Robin of the Louis Vuitton Cup concludes, with four races scheduled. The opening race will feature Alinghi Red Bull Racing against Emirates Team New Zealand, followed by three additional races. The competition remains fierce, with one team set to exit next week.
Source
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.
