Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series Portsmouth - Day 1
by LVACWS Portsmouth 23 Jul 2016 20:25 BST
22-24 July 2016
Portsmouth results after day 1
1. Land Rover BAR, 26pts
2. Groupama Team France, 26pts
3. SoftBank Team Japan, 23pts
4. ORACLE TEAM USA, 23pts
5. Emirates Team New Zealand, 20pts
6. Artemis Racing, 17pts
Sir Ben jumps into the lead in Portsmouth by 35th America's Cup Media
Hot, sunny conditions and thousands of fans lining the Portsmouth seafront was the backdrop to Saturday's crowd-pleasing Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series action, the first day of points scoring races on the Solent at the 2016 event.
The home team, Land Rover BAR, led by skipper Sir Ben Ainslie, recovered from a poor first race result to win the second two contests and complete the day at the top of the leaderboard, much to the delight of the tens of thousands of cheering fans lining the shorefront.
"We wanted to perform well in front of the home crowd to give them something to cheer for – it's an extra impetus. We've been training hard, preparing thoroughly and the guys are really fired up for it," said Land Rover BAR skipper Ben Ainslie.
"It was very tight racing in quite light and difficult winds. We got caught out in the first race, we were in a strong position and then got stuck with Japan and both of us sailed ourselves to the back of the fleet from second and third which was really frustrating.
"But I was pleased with the way we regrouped for the final two races. We fought hard and kept going to come away with two wins; and to top the day in such difficult conditions at our home event was a great effort."
At the start of race one it was Land Rover BAR and Groupama Team France who led the pack, Softbank Team Japan in third and Artemis Racing, ORACLE TEAM USA and Emirates Team New Zealand all incurring penalties as they crossed the start line fractions of a second too early. The French team made a tactical decision heading to Gate 2 that really paid off and quickly built a good lead. The battle behind the French was fierce, with boats making contact as the light conditions tested the crews to the limit, but at the finish line it was Groupama Team France in first, ORACLE TEAM USA recovering to second and Emirates Team New Zealand in third. Behind them, a drag race for fourth between Softbank Team Japan and Land Rover BAR was finally settled in favour of the Japanese on a photo finish, with Artemis Racing bringing up the rear in sixth.
Race two was another penalty-fest at the start, with every team except Groupama Team France incurring penalties for crossing the line before the gun, but the pack quickly caught up with the French team and at the bottom mark the home crowd went wild as Land Rover BAR took the lead. Ben Ainslie's crew strode into a huge lead, and from that point they put on an America's Cup racing master class, making the best use of the light winds to finally finish first, over a minute ahead of ORACLE TEAM USA, who again fought back from a poor start to finish in second. Behind them, Softbank Team Japan finished third, Groupama Team France in fourth and the two boats with new helmsmen in Portsmouth, Artemis Racing and Emirates Team New Zealand crossing the line in fifth and sixth respectively.
The third and final race of the day saw another good start for a French team who were the standout performers on the start line today. Land Rover BAR kept up their race two form, but both ORACLE TEAM USA and Softbank Team Japan again incurred start line penalties and were playing catch up from the start. The Japanese team, under the leadership of Dean Barker, made up ground impressively and were right with Groupama Team France at the halfway point of the race, battling with Land Rover BAR for second as the French inched ahead.
However, an incredible fight back from Ben Ainslie's British boat saw them overtake the French boat at gate 3 and then they found themselves stuck into a huge battle with Softbank Team Japan as they sped towards the final leg. Finally it was another win for Land Rover BAR, an impressive second for Groupama Team France, third for Softbank Team Japan, fourth for Emirates Team New Zealand and Artemis Racing and ORACLE TEAM USA in fifth and sixth places in the final race of the day.
Quotes from the sailors
Adam Minoprio, Wing Trimmer, Groupama Team France: "Tough conditions today, a lot of light patches and with the sea breezes coming around the Isle of Wight it was tricky conditions out there. However, we're very happy with our performance today. In all the races today Franck and Thomas (Le Breton, Groupama Team France Tactician) made sure we had really good starts, they worked hard to get us right on the line and I think we were leading at the first mark in all three of the races today. It was a good day for them, wherever we were.
"The level here is world class and even though we've obviously made some gains, every other team is also improving. The key is to find those last few percentage gains and make sure we are putting them into action everywhere, not just on the first day of points scoring here in Portsmouth.
"The other pleasing thing about today is that we had to work hard last night on fixing the damage to the boat that we incurred yesterday. We had to lift the boat out last night to work on it and a couple of the shore team worked through the night to fix it, then we had an early start to get the boat back in the water. It was a big distraction, but maybe that's what we need!"
Dean Barker, skipper, SoftBank Team Japan: "It felt like a bit of a tough day. We were over the line in two of the starts and from there we were battling, we really weren't error free at any point and I think we have a lot to improve on. We still managed to salvage credible results which I think that was key - in the past we may have let this sort of form drag us down, but here we didn't. That leaves us still in a position with all to play for tomorrow.
"It was the same for everyone though. We saw yesterday that being strong at mark one is really important here, but even with that you saw a lot of places changing position going downwind. You'd think you were in a good place, but then you could suddenly be vulnerable to other boats closing back in and in the first race we gave up a good position, which was pretty frustrating. Overall though, we gained more than we lost today so it's not been too bad."
Paul Campbell-James, tactician, Land Rover BAR: "It was a fantastic day for us. We struggled in the first race but bounced back and to get two bullets in the second and third races was a great result.
"It was quite tricky out there, a real day of snakes and ladders, but generally we were moving forward so we're pleased with that. It's an unbelievable event, the amount of people that are here, and to hear the cheers from the shore was absolutely amazing. It gives you that extra bit of pep that helps you pull those sails in a bit harder, and it's incredible for a sailing event that we can hear support like that.
"The crowd are a big part of it, but also, being the home team, we train here six days a week and it feels like home. That's helping us, but we also made sure that we were keeping away from other boats, which was the key today."
Jimmy Spithill, skipper, ORACLE TEAM USA: "It was pretty tough out there, with the conditions and trying to keep clear of the other boats. I thought we sailed better than yesterday, but we still have a way to go. We'll go back tonight, look at our mistakes and tidy it up.
"It's difficult to make up ground but the boys kept fighting. We had a tough one in the last race, but it's all up for grabs tomorrow when it's double points races, maybe a bit more wind, and it will be great if we can get the boats foiling. But whatever happens we'll be ready."
Iain Percy, tactician, Artemis Racing: "It was a terrible day for Artemis Racing. We really didn't sail as well as we can so we're disappointed with our performance. We're frustrated, but fortunately it's double points tomorrow so it's still all to play for. A lot of people took some painful lessons today, and we probably took more than our share.
"It is good to be racing in front of such a big crowd, but Britain is a huge sailing nation. I grew up sailing in the 80s here and it was one of the biggest sports in the country. There is just a huge sailing community here and a lot of them came out today and that is great, for all of us."
Ray Davies, tactician, Emirates Team New Zealand: "It was tough out there, it's a short course and we were on the big code zero sail the whole time so that puts a lot of pressure on the crew work. I think Land Rover BAR seemed to be more polished than the rest of us on that aspect of racing today and that was the main difference for them.
"One of the keys today was the need to find your own lane because the pack slows you down in these conditions. You keep rolling each other out of gybes and pulling each other back but if you can find your own space and get some clean air there are big gains to be had."
Ben Ainslie, skipper and team principal, Land Rover BAR: "We want to perform well in front of the home crowd to give them something to cheer for – it's an extra impetus. We've been training hard, preparing thoroughly and the guys are really fired up for it.
"It was very tight racing in quite light and difficult winds. We got caught out in the first race, we were in a strong position and then got stuck with Japan and both of us sailed ourselves to the back of the fleet from second and third which was really frustrating.
"But I was pleased with the way we regrouped for the final two races. We fought hard and kept going to come away with two wins; and to top the day in such difficult conditions at our home event was a great effort.
"It was difficult on the start line today, the tide was actually pushing us away from it, but I think everyone was desperate to get a good start because it puts you in such a strong position and there were a lot of early starts. But after that, because the wind was so patchy, there were a lot of passing lanes and place changes. It was a day to keep your eyes open and keep fighting all the way because there were always opportunities to gain and lose, you could never feel secure, you always had to be alert to the changing conditions."
Paul 'CJ' Campbell-James, wing trimmer, Land Rover BAR: "A fantastic day, we struggled in the first race but to bounce back and get two bullets in the second and third one was really, really good. It was a day of snakes and ladders, but generally we were moving forwards so you can't get much better than that.
"It's useful being the home team and knowing the waters. The crowd are a big part of it, but also we train here six days a week so it feels like home and that's very important.
"The number of people in the crowd is absolutely unbelievable. When we were going round the leeward mark the cheer from the shore was amazing, it gives you that extra bit of motivation to pull those sails in a bit harder. Absolutely amazing for a sailing race."
Nick Hutton, trimmer, Land Rover BAR: "We love being at home, the feeling is the equivalent of playing in Wembley for the England football team, it's what you dream of as a kid. Awesome weather today, not a cloud in the sky, sea breeze a crowded shore and two wins, it doesn't get much better."
Ed Powys, bow, Land Rover BAR: "That was as hard as it gets, everything changing, the wind left then right, it was hard to pick. After that first race Ben just said put it behind us, crack on, it's the first of six races. The crowd are brilliant, every leeward mark you can hear them, it's like an extra gust of wind. It was a relief to finish strongly and thanks to everyone for coming."
Tied for the top in front of huge home crowd by Land Rover BAR
Ben Ainslie and his Land Rover BAR team delivered brilliantly – after a shaky start – to win two of three races on the first day of the 2016 Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series (ACWS) in Portsmouth.
A disappointing fifth in the first race was followed by superb through-the-pack wins in races two and three – and all in front of huge Union Jack waving crowds on "Ben's beach" in Southsea.
The results left the team tied with Groupama Team France at the top of the standings.
The racing opened with the teams still calibrating their timing in the tide and light winds and Land Rover BAR hit the line early. They struggled on the first leg, and despite threatening to recover a podium position on leg four, they were held back into fifth by inches on the finish line.
The second race saw five of six boats early on the line as everyone again struggled with their timing. The fleet reshuffled to lose the penalties, and the Land Rover BAR team sailed a superb second leg to take a lead that they built on all the way to the finish.
It was a brilliant tactical move on leg three that put them into the lead in the third race, and once in front they delivered all the way to the line.
Sunday's action can be watched live on BT Sport 1, beginning at 12:45 BST in the UK and Ireland.
The Land Rover BAR documentary "Taking Flight: Britain's America's Cup challenge" will also be aired on BT Sport at various times over the weekend.
Building knowledge and building breeze in Portsmouth by Emirates Team New Zealand
A light and shifty day in Portsmouth saw ETNZ claim third fourth and sixth as the current outweighed the breeze in stages of all three races sailed today. A headsail snag in the first race saw the team with new helmsman Glenn Ashby hold his nerve through a windless patch on the final downwind leg, to squeeze past Soft Bank and Artemis Racing to grab a podium place, 'we will take that one for sure', said Tactician Ray Davies after slicing past the Japanese and Swedish boat on the line.
The second and third races were more of a challenge for the team, with the breeze struggling to get above six knots, getting clean air off the line was vital to be able to break clear of the pack as skipper Ashby confirmed, "If you were with the majority of boats it was a challenge to break clear. Home team BAR managed to slingshot from way back and go round the bulk of us all locked together in more current than breeze. It's about inches at the start of the race, getting the edge on the other guys and breaking clear. Everyone is pushing here and penalties for breaking the start were common today."
With crew rotation onboard for the Portsmouth event, yesterday was the first race start Skipper Ashby has ever had on an AC45, meaning the team gained a lot of knowledge out on the race course, "With Sunday's forecast for stronger and constant breeze, it looks solid that all the boats will foil for the majority of time in the races. Sunday is double points day, we have taken a lot from today, we still top the leader board and I can tell you the guys on board are focused on staying there."
Poised to pounce for Super Sunday by Oracle Team USA
ORACLE TEAM USA showed determination and fightback in claiming two second place finishes from the first two races at the Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series in Portsmouth on Saturday.
Unfortunately, in the third race, the team was pushed right to the back of the pack and couldn't recover.
The results leave the team on equal points for third place with SoftBank Team Japan, just three points behind the leaders, Land Rover BAR and Groupama Team France.
"It was pretty tough out there, with the light conditions and trying to keep clear of the other boats," said skipper Jimmy Spithill after racing.
"I though we sailed better than during practice yesterday, but we still have a ways to go. We'll go back tonight, look at our mistakes and tidy it up."
In light winds ranging from 6-8 knots, getting off the starting line clear was critical but the team was over early and penalized off the line in each race.
But the team showed great form in picking up places to earn second place finishes. One key was in keeping clear of the pack and sailing clean. In the third race, a tussle with Artemis Racing proved the wisdom of that approach as the incident left the team well behind the fleet.
"It's difficult to make up ground," Spithill admitted. "The boys kept fighting. We had tough one in the last race, but it's all up for grabs tomorrow. Three double-point races, maybe a bit more wind, it will be great if we can get the boats foiling. But either way we'll be ready."
Gunning for Glory in Portsmouth by SoftBank Team Japan
SoftBank Team Japan sits within striking distance of first place tonight after the inaugural day of racing at Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series Portsmouth.
Tens of thousands of spectators lined The Solent as the team fought through difficult starts to consistently climb through the fleet and finish with two thirds and a fourth resulting in a curiously strong position ahead of tomorrow's "Super Sunday" racing.
"Not easy out there but today was a good day", said Skipper Dean Barker. "It was surprising to come off the water feeling we hadn't sailed our absolute best but the great thing was we battled back from several difficult positions and rather than settling for fourth or fifth we managed to turn them into two thirds and a fourth."
Those results were enough to carry the team into a position where they're only three points behind Land Rover BAR and Groupama Team France – both tied for first place.
The starting line proved to snag many of the teams including SoftBank Team Japan creating massive upsets on the first reach. However, despite trailing at the first mark in several races, the team's mantra of trying to stay consistent picking off teams one-at-a-time paid huge dividends.
There was arguably no better example of this than one of the tensest moments of racing today – a photo finish in the first race that saw SoftBank Team Japan hang onto their advantage long enough to edge out hometown favourites Land Rover BAR.
"I think we had moments in all three races where we sailed really well", said Barker. "We managed to wriggle out of some tight positions that could've ended up a lot worse. The good thing was that the attitudes stayed really positive though it felt like a tough day at the office."
Japanese Bowman Kazuhiko "Fuku" Sofuku agreed that the team's growing ability to manufacture strong results in "come from behind" situations is paying massive tactical dividends.
"I think we had a good day today; the conditions were similar to practice yesterday which suited us. Coming from Chicago event we had a very positive result and wanted to carry that into this regatta. Even though we had difficult starts we fought back. Coming from behind is a real strength of the team."
Asked if there were any dominant features of the course that affected decision making during racing, Barker stressed that patience and focus was key to the team's success in ascending through the rest of the fleet.
"The current is a huge factor when the boats are travelling so slow, the current affects you more like it would in a traditional monohull. The wind itself was pretty tough to read as well. It wasn't consistently the same so you had to look at every single leg differently. Being patient was one of the hard things to do."