America’s Cup: Team NZ strolls to first win in Barcelona after Luna Rossa lose control and retire
Friday, 23 August 2024
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Team New Zealand’s America’s Cup campaign has made an anti-climactic start after arch-rival Luna Rossa lost control and retired in their highly anticipated encounter.
The opening day of the Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta in Barcelona saw Switzerland’s Alinghi Red Bull Racing beat Orient Express in the first race, after the France were penalised for being late into the start box.
Race four: Luna Rossa vs Orient Express
The Italians recovered from their race two retirement and had an easy race against a mistake-plagued Orient Express.
The French fell off the foils entering the start box and were penalised, being ticked off again for being early over the start line, and having to come around to restart.
From there, it was a procession with Quentin Delapierre and his crew unable to make an impression, and some handling errors left them 1min 33sec behind at the finish line.
Race Three: NYYC American Magic vs INEOS Britannia
In the match of the day, American Magic edged ahead of INEOS Britannia after an even start to eventually win by 29 seconds.
The pair were almost locked together up the first leg, but Tom Slingsby and Paul Goodison built a six second lead at the first marker to 21 seconds at the third rounding.
It’s a comeback for the US team, who nosedived during a practice race on Wednesday, and withdrew after taking on a lot of water.
For the British, it was a solid outing, but helmsmen Sir Ben Ainslie and Dylan Fletcher could not match the speed of the sleek, low-drag-look of Patriot, in 12 knot winds.
Race Two: Emirates Team New Zealand vs Luna Rossa
Team NZ took an easy first win at the America’s Cup regatta in Barcelona after arch-rival, Italy’s Luna Rossa, lost control and stalled its boat, then retired.
The Italians heeled over and almost nosedived, before the boat appeared to shut down before they restarted.
The incident robbed the preliminary regatta of an intriguing first encounter between the 2021, and 2000 cup finalists.
Helmsman Francesco Bruni said an electrical fault caused the team to lose control.
Race One: Alinghi Red Bull Racing vs Orient Express
The Swiss America’s Cup challenger Alinghi Red Bull racing WIN the first official race win at the 37th cup regatta in Barcelona.
Alinghi won the start, with the French penalised for going outside the start box boundary, and from there the margins opened and closed slightly, but the Swiss maintained the upper hand, winning by 36sec.
Orient Express, with Quentin Delapierre and Kevin Peponnet at the helm, trailed by 13sec at most mark roundings, and by 22 seconds in the turn for the finish.
It was an encouraging performance for the Swiss who bounced back from breaking a mast for the second time, during practice racing earlier in the week.
Skipper Arnaud Psarofaghis’ crew did not put a foil wrong, covering each move by the French as they tried to close the gap.
The first of the day’s four races was sailed in winds of around 6 knots.
The Louis Vuitton Cup preliminary series does not count for points in the main regatta, but in the contest for Sunday’s final, Alinghi RBR, Team New Zealand, American Magic and Luna Rossa each have one point, with Orient Express and INEOS Britannia yet to score.
Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta, day one
Standings: Team New Zealand 1, Alinghi 1, American Magic 1, Luna Rossa 1, Britannia 0, Orient Express 0.