As the 37th America’s Cup takes off in Barcelona, the first three days of racing have delivered an exhilarating showcase of skill, strategy, and high-stakes competition. The picturesque setting of blue skies and light winds set the stage, and the world’s elite sailors have not disappointed. With its signature mix of speed, precision, and tactical battles, the Louis Vuitton Cup has quickly become a spectacle to behold.
Day 1: A Royal Start and Close Battles
Day one of the Louis Vuitton Cup was nothing short of a royal spectacle. His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain enjoyed the drama up close from a hydrogen-powered foiling support vessel. It was a day marked by tight races and unexpected outcomes.
The French Orient Express Racing Team, entering the competition with limited preparation time on their AC75, surprised everyone with a spirited victory against Alinghi Red Bull Racing. Kevin Peponnet, helming for the French, expressed newfound confidence, believing they could compete with the top teams: “We haven’t discovered the full potential of our boat yet.” Meanwhile, Alinghi’s Maxime Bachelin maintained a positive outlook despite the loss, acknowledging the need to learn from their mistakes.
In another thrilling encounter, Emirates Team New Zealand faced off against Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli. Despite an early lead by the Italians, the Kiwis displayed some brilliant tactical maneuvers, snatching the victory in the final moments with masterful lee-bow sailing by Peter Burling and Nathan Outteridge.
The third race saw NYYC American Magic stumble dramatically at the start, giving INEOS Britannia a clear advantage. The British team never looked back, despite a strong comeback attempt from the Americans, who closed the gap to just 14 seconds at the finish.
However, the day concluded on a concerning note for Emirates Team New Zealand, as their AC75, ‘Taihoro’, suffered significant damage during a crane mishap while being lifted onto its cradle. The team quickly moved into repair mode, determined to get back on the water as soon as possible.
Day 2: Light Winds and Strategic Racing
Day two brought challenges of its own, with light winds testing the sailors’ patience and tactical acumen. Emirates Team New Zealand was unable to race due to ongoing repairs, a significant setback in their campaign.
The first race of the day saw NYYC American Magic claim a crucial victory over Alinghi Red Bull Racing in a race that was essentially a battle against the elements. The Swiss team struggled to keep their boat on the foils, while the Americans executed their maneuvers with precision to secure their first points of the Louis Vuitton Cup.
INEOS Britannia also took advantage of the absent Emirates Team New Zealand, efficiently completing the pre-start sequence to claim a victory by default. Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, meanwhile, waited anxiously as light winds caused multiple delays, ultimately forcing the Race Committee to abandon their scheduled race against NYYC American Magic.
Day 3: A Day of Frustration and Triumph
Day three continued with light and unpredictable winds, creating a day filled with elation for some and frustration for others. Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli emerged as the standout team, winning both of their races and securing the top spot among the Challenger teams. Jimmy Spithill and Francesco Bruni, helming for Luna Rossa, showcased their tactical mastery and praised their team’s flight control efforts in maintaining peak performance.
Other teams found mixed fortunes. NYYC American Magic and INEOS Britannia each notched single-race wins, but Alinghi Red Bull Racing and the Orient Express Racing Team remained winless, their crews left searching for answers and improvement.
The Swiss, in particular, suffered their third straight defeat, unable to capitalize on their opportunities. Maxime Bachelin, port helm for Alinghi Red Bull Racing, struck a determined tone: “Very tough today… We will keep pushing and work more on the mini-patterns in the simulator.” The British team, INEOS Britannia, found themselves similarly challenged, with a critical mistake against Luna Rossa proving costly. Still, Ben Ainslie, helming for INEOS, was upbeat about their overall performance and optimistic about their future chances.
The Road Ahead
As the first round of the Louis Vuitton Cup progresses, the competition remains wide open. With three more days of racing to come, each team knows that the slightest error or tactical misjudgment could prove decisive. The absence of Emirates Team New Zealand from the second day of racing highlights the unpredictable nature of the sport and serves as a reminder that even the strongest teams can face setbacks.
But in America’s Cup racing, adversity often breeds innovation. As teams huddle to analyse data, refine tactics, and adjust strategies, the next few days promise to be packed with intense rivalries, remarkable comebacks, and unexpected twists.
Stay tuned as we bring you all the latest updates from Barcelona – the city where the world’s best sailors are pushing their limits and leaving nothing on the water. The Louis Vuitton Cup is heating up, and we’re just getting started.
