Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup Day 2
by Mark Jardine 13 Oct 2024 13:46 BST
13 October 2024
Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup Race 3 - October 13, 2024 © Ricardo Pinto / America's Cup
Everything went the way of the Defender on the opening day of the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup, and the Challenger needed a good one to stay in touch with them in the competition.
Putting a point on the board would signal a momentum shift, whereas 4-0 to Emirates Team New Zealand would be devastating for INEOS Britannia.
Analysis showed that the boats were similar speeds, but the Kiwis kept more speed through the manoeuvres, and often gained more distance upwind through the tacks. The performance team in the British camp were no doubt crunching the numbers to see how, or if, they could replicate that.
Race 3: INEOS Britannia vs. Emirates Team New Zealand
Both teams came into the start area cleanly, with INEOS Britannia going for a familiar move in their playbook, choosing to tack once past Emirates Team New Zealand, setting up more towards the pin than their opponent.
The last thing the British team needed was a pre-start penalty, but that's exactly what happened during a dial-down by the Kiwis where the Brits didn't keep clear enough on port. This was as close together as we've ever seen two AC75 yachts, and no doubt caused stress on board and amongst the shore crew, as the foils were overlapping as the boats passed.
Once INEOS Britannia wiped off their penalty, they valiantly came back into the race, trailing by just 50 metres, but Emirates Team New Zealand made no mistake, tacking perfectly on their opposition twice to force them left, and into less wind.
At the first windward gate the Kiwis led by 19 seconds, extending to 27 seconds by the first leeward gate.
As the wind decreased, the course was shortened in length, and Emirates Team New Zealand stuck to INEOS Britannia like glue, employing the mantra of staying between your opponent and the next mark. Being quick and tactically smart puts you in a very strong position.
Dylan Fletcher was by far the more vocal on board the British yacht, and it was clear from the expression on Ben Ainslie's face that he was kicking himself for the pre-start error.
The communication aboard the New Zealand yacht was all about tactical positioning and wind strategy. Peter Burling and Nathan Outteridge are a slick team at the top of their game.
By the second windward gate the lead was 32 seconds, extending to 33 seconds at the second leeward gate. Bar a mistake, equipment failure or massive windshift, this race was effectively over.
After a quiet final windward leg, the Kiwi lead was 43 seconds and all was relaxed on board as the took race win by 52 seconds.
Flawless sailing moved Emirates Team New Zealand to a 3-0 in the 37th America's Cup match.
Race 4: Emirates Team New Zealand vs. INEOS Britannia
With the wind dropping, the lower wind limit was repeatedly failed and racing was cancelled for the day. Race 4 will now be sailed on Monday, which was originally a reserve day.