Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series Chicago - Day 1
by 35th America's Cup 12 Jun 2016 07:34 BST
10-12 June 2016
Up to 1000 boats were ringing the race area just off the city front. Tens of thousands of fans were lining iconic Navy Pier. Bars, restaurants and fan zones were heaving. The best sailors and fastest boats were ready to show what they could do. After phenomenal practice racing on Friday, with two capsizes, the wind took a while to co-operate.
So while fans enjoyed a great day on Navy Pier, officials took the 'substitute race', which was sailed on Friday, and scored it as Race One of the Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series Chicago.
That victory went to SoftBank Team Japan who would have seen a measure of justice in having Friday's "substitute race" count on the leaderboard.
In New York, the team won the substitute race, but it was never used.
But in Chicago, with winds too light and unstable to start on time, the substitute race was inserted in the broadcast and scored as an official race. It was the first win of the Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series for SoftBank Team Japan.
"It's a shame we couldn't get racing started on time today, but it's nice to turn the good work from Friday into a win on the scoreboard today," said skipper Dean Barker.
"We've been working hard to improve our performance... Friday was a good day and we take a lot of confidence from that."
Artemis Racing scored second place and Groupama Team France was third.
On the other side of the ledger was ORACLE TEAM USA, who capsized in the substitute race on Friday and who now must carry that last place finish on the scoreboard.
As Saturday afternoon progressed under steamy, sunny conditions, and with the sea breeze taking its time to settle in but picking up, race officials and teams extended the race window beyond the initial 3:00pm deadline and were eventually able to get one late afternoon race completed for the fans on Navy Pier.
This race was a huge crowd-pleaser and is designated as a 'substitute race' for Sunday. Should conditions not allow for racing to progress as scheduled on Sunday, it will be inserted in the international broadcast and scored as an official race.
Emirates Team New Zealand were the top team on Saturday, finishing ahead of ORACLE TEAM USA and Artemis Racing.
"The race today was a tough battle in front of some really impressive crowds," said Artemis Racing skipper Nathan Outteridge. "I'm pleased we were able to put on a race for everyone who turned up as the fans here in Chicago have been awesome."
"The amount of people on Navy Pier and the number of boats out on the water made for a pretty amazing experience to be out there sailing in front of them all," said Emirates Team New Zealand skipper Glenn Ashby.
"Everybody looked like they were having a really good time, in the grandstands and on the spectator boats on the water, and it was good to put in a strong win in front of every single person out there today, whether it evenutally counts on the leaderboard or not
"Racing here in Chicago has been special, and I'm glad we could take a win in front of such a big crowd."
Conditions are predicted to be excellent tomorrow, setting up a fantastic finish for Super Sunday.
Race One Results: (substitute race from Friday)
1. SoftBank Team Japan – 10 points
2. Artemis Racing – 9 points
3. Groupama Team France – 8 points
4. Emirates Team New Zealand – 7 points
5. Land Rover BAR – 6 points
6. ORACLE TEAM USA – 5 points
Saturday Substitute Race finish order: (this race will only be scored if used on Sunday)
Emirates Team New Zealand
ORACLE TEAM USA
Artemis Racing
Land Rover BAR
SoftBank Team Japan
Groupama Team France
Find out where to watch at www.americascup.com/en/where-to-watch.html
SoftBank Team Japan draw first blood on freshwater
SoftBank Team Japan scored their first win of the Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series today after postponed racing due to lack of wind caused the race committee to invoke Friday's substitute race as an official result.
The team's first place finish in that race – part of a dominant shut out performance by the Japanese challenger yesterday – now puts the team on top of the leaderboard heading into Sunday's races.
While the team had hoped the wind would fill in time to start a race within the television window, they're glad their solid teamwork and tactics from Friday's races now result in the first America's Cup event win on freshwater.
With a crowd of tens of thousands circling the race course in Chicago, the team's unfortunately spent much of the day waiting for two competing wind patterns to establish a consensus as the weather models had predicted.
"There were two breezes fighting one another today", said tactician Chris Draper. "One was a reasonably strong gradient going straight against a lake breeze that was trying to establish itself. Really we they were just fighting back and forth until finally the land breeze won at the end of the day but it was still unstable."
The breeze did fill in just enough by the end of the day for the race committee to run one race outside the television time-window which will count as a substitute race should racing be postponed for any reason tomorrow.
Forecasts are for 12-15 knots of wind on the course in what will hopefully be a wild
"Super Sunday" at Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series Chicago with double points up for grabs.
This is the first time in Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series history that the substitute race rule has been used towards an official result.
Emirates Team NZ win only race sailed on day 1 (from Emirates Team New Zealand)
The Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series Chicago got off to a confusing start today with conditions for the majority of the day more suitable for relaxing on the waters of Lake Michigan rather than full fledged fighting it out on foiling AC45's.
The official race window came and went without enough wind to warrant a hoisted headsail, so Friday's 'substitute race' result was implemented meaning overall series leader Emirates Team New Zealand placed 4th ahead of close rivals Land Rover BAR and Oracle Team USA.
"There was an amazing crowd and spectator boats as far as the eye could see, so everyone was up for action other than the wind gods." Said tactician Ray Davies.
"We were eager to race, having had such great racing yesterday, but conditions just didn't allow it... initially."
Late in the afternoon a perfect breeze emerged from the city and built to allow the race committee an opportunity to start a race which will only be used as a substitute race for the final day on Sunday if the wind conditions are not suitable for racing at the scheduled start time of the first race tomorrow it will be broadcast and count as a double point race.
Confused?
To put it simply - Emirates Team New Zealand won the only race which was actually sailed on Saturday, but it may not count for anything if three races are sailed tomorrow.
"It was a long hot day waiting on the water for the guys. So when the opportunity came for a race our guys switched into gear fantastically." said skipper Glenn Ashby
"Pete did a great job at the start, we have a good lead at the first mark then it was just up to us to pick the shifts well to keep out in front."
Which is precisely what the kiwi team did, playing the shifts and extending its lead around the track before popping up on the foils to cross the finish line and giving the large Navy Pier crowd something to cheer for.
It remains to be seen if the result will count- that all depends on tomorrows conditions.
Tomorrow's 'Super Sunday' is scheduled for three double points fleet races, which will decide the winner of Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series Chicago.
ORACLE TEAM USA buoyed by home support in Chicago (from ORACLE TEAM USA)
Sunshine, fast boats, enthusiastic crowds, and eventually the wind. All of the ingredients needed for a tremendous Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series debut in Chicago on Saturday.
"I can't believe the number of boats on the water today," said skipper Jimmy Spithill. "Just incredible."
And the fans weren't just on the water. Chicago's iconic Navy Pier was jam-packed, standing room only, with the race course just meters away.
While fans waited for the forecast lake breeze to fill in on Saturday afternoon, race officials elected to use Friday's substitute race for the broadcast, and score it as Race One for the Chicago event.
Unfortunately for ORACLE TEAM USA, this was the race when the team capsized. Although there was a quick recovery from the mishap, the team finished in sixth place.
"We have to take that one unfortunately," Spithill said. "But the guys did a great job of getting the boat upright so we could finish the race and then making sure the boat was prepared for today and we were ready to go."
When the wind filled in on Saturday afternoon and racing got underway, it was outside the official race window for the day, so the race was again designated as a substitute race. It will only be scored if regatta officials are unable to get the scheduled complement of racing completed on Sunday.
In Saturday's race, ORACLE TEAM USA sailed well, finishing in second place.
"It was great to get a good race in today, it was a chance to show what the boys can do, especially here on home turf, and even though it was tough conditions, that created opportunities for passing," Spithill said.
"We did make the most of that and we're all pleased with how it ended up today. However, one thing I do want to say is credit to the crowds. It was awesome to see all the support out there and I want to thank everyone for sticking with us when the conditions didn't allow racing to start on time. At the end it worked out and we're pleased we put on a good show for the fans."
After racing on Saturday, Wyclef Jean jumped aboard for a quick sail (and sing-along!) with the team. See the video here.
Super Sunday racing is scheduled to start at 1:30pm local time. Races will have double point scoring on Sunday.