What did we learn on day 4 of the Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta – Barcelona?

by Mark Jardine August 25, 14:56 UTC
25 August 2024

Strong seas and swells make for better racing. Sunday brought us by far the most exciting race ever.

Tactical errors and errors in boat handling were common. It was obviously very difficult to sail the AC75 in these conditions and the choice of jib was crucial.

Unwind VMG has been shown several timesanother useful piece of information for the viewing experience.

No names in the cockpit view yetwhich means it is still difficult to identify who we are dealing with.

Emirates Team New Zealand vs New York Yacht Club American Magic

With a tight but cautious start, the USA was able to perfectly follow the movements of the New Zealand team as they maneuvered from the starboard side.

At the start, the New Zealand team was forced to turn early. Combined with a left turn, American Magic crossed by 100 metres as they came together.

The US team calmly minimized their manoeuvres upwind and were comfortably in the lead, steadily increasing their lead up to 50 seconds by Leeward Gate 4 before narrowing it to 28 seconds by the finish. However, it felt like American Magic backed off a little in the swell to keep the boat safe once they had a comfortable lead.

There were fist bumps all around the American Coach Boat and Tom Slingsby said after the race: “We know we can do it. If we reach our potential, that’s great and it’s nice to finish with a win.”

Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli vs Alinghi Red Bull Racing

Alinghi made a great start, catching Luna Rossa and getting them over the line early after coming in at speed from high on starboard. Luna Rossi then failed to get low enough when crossing the line, putting them 500 metres behind the Swiss team from the start.

At Windward Gate 1, Alinghi led by 34 seconds.

Then Alinghi made a big mistake on the gybe when they flew very high, lost their grip on the rudder and the foils fell. They were able to quickly get back on the foils and luff Luna Rossa as the Italians overtook, earning Luna Rossa a penalty and forcing them to fall back 75 meters.

Because the teams chose opposite buoys, Alinghi was 9 seconds ahead at Leeward Gate 2. However, the boats were only 90 meters apart, so Luna Rossa was back in the game.

Alinghi tacked ahead of Luna Rossa, forcing the Italians back to starboard and maintaining control of the right side. The Swiss then missed a tack while the Italian team sailed fast. Luna Ross led by 12 seconds at Windward Gate 3.

As the wind increased to 12 knots again, the race length was extended. The Italians led by 8 seconds at Leeward Gate 4. Luna Rossed tacked on Alinghi, forcing the Swiss to the left. The Italians extended their lead to 13 seconds at Windward Gate 5.

Thanks to excellent downwind sailing on the final leg, Luna Rossa won by 46 seconds.

Luna Rossa coach Philippe Presti said during the race: “The sea conditions are extremely challenging and we haven’t had that for a long time.”

This was the most exciting game of the event so far.

Orient Express Racing Team vs INEOS Britannia

The French team arrived late and far along the starting line, having approached the entrance too early, and was thus at the mercy of the British team, who awarded them a penalty.

The British then squandered this by coming from port, tackling and crossing the line early, having to duck at the start and giving France the advantage. It was an inexplicable tactic by INEOS Britannia to come out of the dead zone and then execute a slow speed start combined with crossing the line.

The French were then hot on the heels of the British during the first few tacks in the windward area and were 16 seconds ahead at Windward Gate 1.

Downwind, the British team crossed the French team on starboard after Orient Express had made a slow gybe. The team fought closely for Leeward Gate 2, with the British having an 11 second lead, with the teams choosing different buoys.

As the wind died down, the course was shortened and the target was Windward Gate 5. French coach Thierry Peponnet said they had chosen the wrong jib (J3) and needed more power and had to fight to keep the boat moving.

Despite a bumpy round the leeward mark, INEOS Britannia won by 48 seconds. The match was worth watching, but was full of tactical and driving errors.

Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta – Final in Barcelona:
Emirates Team New Zealand vs Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli

Italy received a penalty in the pre-start because it sailed too close to New Zealand on the port bow.

At the start time, the Italians tacked to port and the New Zealanders followed suit to make it difficult for Luna Rossa to shake off the 75-meter penalty.

Emirates Team New Zealand covered Luna Rossa downwind, switching to a loose cover on the layline of Windward Gate 1 to take a 22 second lead.

On the final close-hauled leg, things got tight again when the Italians were penalized twice in some right-hand bends. First, Italy failed to keep clear when the New Zealanders tacked in front of Luna Rossa. Then there was a tack in front of New Zealand and Italy also failed to keep clear.

This proved crucial as Emirates Team New Zealand won the Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta in Barcelona.

After three mediocre days, the America’s Cup came to life in Barcelona and it is clear that as spectators we want to pray for high seas to make the racing interesting.