Cup Spy – Day 11: The Ultimate Opportunity – Louis Vuitton Cup – Semi Finals – Day 2
by Richard Gladwell, 15 Sep 02:23 PDT
Alinghi Red Bull Racing – Day 1 – Semi-Finals – Louis Vuitton Cup – Day 10 – September 14, 2024 – Barcelona © Ana Ponce / America’s Cup
Commentary:
Sunday provided the strongest breeze and optimal racing conditions of the Louis Vuitton Cup, yielding the closest results we’ve seen thus far.
However, the notion of being the best or closest does not hide the harsh reality: two teams only have approximately 20 minutes of racing remaining in the 37th America’s Cup.
In terms of outcomes, today’s racing mirrored yesterday’s, with INEOS Britannia and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli achieving another two victories each, securing four of the needed five wins to advance to the Finals.
Among the four teams, perhaps the most surprising aspect was that they did not display much faster speeds.
The highest speeds recorded were significantly better than those of the 2021 Class. We noted a top speed of 50 knots during a bear-away; the AC75 racing record is 53.31 knots, previously held by Patriot in Auckland, achieved in winds of 18-22 knots. Upwind, 40 knots was occasionally reached, similarly the peak in Auckland under the same conditions.
While it’s clear that the lighter Version 2 AC75 is a considerable enhancement over the Version 1 in lighter air during races, we expected more from the breeze experienced today. In the last race, the Brits hit 50.2 knots. We’ll review the data from other teams when available but don’t anticipate much deviation.
Today’s events reinforced many of the questions from yesterday.
What advantages is INEOS Britannia really gaining from this regatta when Alinghi Red Bull Racing fell behind by 2500 meters in the first race and by 1000 meters in the second?
In contrast, during the closing race between Luna Rossa and American Magic, the margin of victory was just 2 seconds, with the US team nearly clinching their first win. The Italians fought hard, with their widest margin being 11 seconds. Over the last three legs, the water gap was consistently 80 meters or less.
Given that American Magic led around the first mark in both races yesterday and secured six of the 12 mark roundings, their progress is evident, and at least one race victory seems likely. Nevertheless, the Italian team is certainly facing scrutiny on all fronts of their campaign.
Live Coverage – Day 2 Semi-Finals
Weather Information – Louis Vuitton Cup – Semi Finals – Day 1
Sunday, September 15
After midday, a South-South-West breeze originating at 200° will arrive and intensify throughout the afternoon, reaching approximately 8-12 knots. The sea state will be calm with 0.5-meter waves from the East and a 4-second interval. With clear sunny skies and temperatures up to 26°, excellent racing conditions are anticipated.
Monday, September 16
In the afternoon, we expect lighter conditions, with the southerly breeze struggling to stabilize similar to earlier days. Winds of around 6 knots are forecasted at this point. Expect flat seas, clear skies, and comparable temperatures on the racing course.
Race Summaries:
Semi Final B: Match 1: ITA vs USA Start: 14:10 UTC. Entry: Port: ITA Stbd: USA
Start: ITA initiated the start with American Magic trailing behind and to windward. ITA gained an early advantage as American Magic moved towards the beach and the starboard boundary. After coming off the beach, ITA tacked underneath, leading by 240 meters.
Mark 1: 03m 49s: ITA led USA by 13s
Mark 2: 07m 02s: ITA led USA by 08s. USA was delayed lowering their starboard foil, causing both foils to wash out and losing distance.
Mark 3: 11m 24s: ITA led USA by 30s.
Mark 4: 14m 36s: ITA led USA by 23s.
Mark 5: 19m 06s: ITA led USA by 32s.
Finish: 22m 29s: ITA led USA by 26s.
Semi Final A: Match 1: SUI vs GBR Start: 12:44 UTC. Entry: Port: SUI | Stbd: GBR
There was a near collision between Alinghi Red Bull Racing (port) and INEOS Britannia (starboard) before the start. The Swiss team washed out all foils, nearly capsizing, prompting GBR to perform an urgent gybe to avoid it. No penalty was issued. The Brits started 1000 meters ahead.
Mark 1: 03m 55s: GBR led SUI by 79s and expanded the gap to 1660 meters
Mark 2: 07m 00s: GBR led SUI by 91s; lead is now 1244 meters
Mark 3: 11m 19s: GBR led SUI by 100s; lead is now 1796 meters in 14.5 knots from SW
Mark 4: 14m 36s: GBR led SUI by 107s
Mark 5: 19m 11s: GBR led SUI by 122s; lead is now 2300 meters
Finish: 22m 31s: GBR led SUI by 140s; final margin is 2500 meters.
Semi Final B: Match 2: USA vs ITA Start: time to be revealed. Entry: Port: USA | Stbd: ITA
ITA pulled ahead down the starting line with USA positioned above and to windward, trailing by 23 meters. Both teams aimed for the port boundary, simo-tacking off the boundary.
Mark 1: 04m 12s: ITA led USA by 06s
Mark 2: 07m 30s: ITA led USA by 11s
Mark 3: 12m 05s: ITA led USA by 11s; margin is 240 meters in 16.6 knots
Mark 4: 15m 14s: ITA led USA by 08s; margin of 80 meters
Mark 5: 19m 48s: ITA led USA by 03s; margin is 60 meters in 17 knots
Finish: 22m 50s: ITA led USA by 02s; margin is 35 meters when ITA executed a final gybe.
Semi Final A: Match 2: GBR vs SUI Start: time to be announced. Entry: Port: GBR | Stbd: SUI
The start: Swiss led British who were behind and to windward. SUI briefly led by 8 meters as the AC75s exited the starting area.
Mark 1: 04m 01s: GBR led SUI by 15s. The AC75s took opposite gates – GBR chose the port side gate mark.
Mark 2: 07m 11s: GBR led SUI by 21s or 334 meters on the water
Mark 3: 11m 24s: GBR led SUI by 36s, reaching 50 knots on the bear away, margin extending to 770 meters in an 18-knot breeze.
Mark 4: 14m 37s: GBR led SUI
Mark 5: 19m 06s: GBR led SUI by 48s
Finish: 22m 23s: GBR led SUI by the same 48s. Water margin is 1000 meters.
Semi Finals format and progression:
The Semi-Finals include Round Robin series winner INEOS Britannia facing off against the Swiss team Alinghi Red Bull Racing, which was the fourth-placed qualifier. The other Semi-Final pits second-placed qualifier Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli against American Magic, who finished third in the Qualifiers, concluding on Monday.
Winners of their Semi-Finals will be the first team to achieve five race victories in a best of nine series.
Each day two races are planned for each pair, totaling four races daily. The previous wind limits apply, with a minimum of 6.5 knots and maximum of 21 knots, recorded at each gate’s top and bottom. Four devices will average readings over 30-second intervals taken within a five-minute period leading to the start. If the wind is within the specified limits, the Course Director will announce the go-ahead via radio (as heard in TV commentary).
If clearance is granted, the race continues regardless of subsequent wind conditions. Once greenlit, the only requirement is for teams to meet a first-leg time limit of 12 minutes, followed by a race duration limit of 45 minutes. The race committee may modify leg lengths, directions, and the total number of legs during the race.
To date, no race has exceeded 25 minutes in duration.
The race director retains the authority to cancel racing (even with compliant winds) if the sea state is deemed unsafe. He may also call off a race for safety reasons, a power he nearly utilized during lightning storms on Day 5 of the Louis Vuitton Cup. Emirates Team NZ’s choice to withdraw from their race by breaching the 100-meter boundary led to their disqualification and an immediate race award to Luna Rossa. Thus, the Chief Umpire’s decision alleviated any safety jurisdiction on the Race Director’s part.
Our coverage features Weather updates, Live videos, Updated images directly from the race course, mark rounding statistics, timings, margins, and additional analysis.
Course Location:
Weather Information – Louis Vuitton Cup – Semi Finals – Day 1
Sunday, September 15
After midday, a South-South-West breeze originating at 200° will arrive and intensify throughout the afternoon at around 8-12 knots. The sea state will be calm with 0.5-meter waves coming from the East and a 4-second interval. Clear sunny sky and temperatures reaching up to 26° should provide excellent racing conditions.
Monday, September 16
In the afternoon, we expect lighter conditions. The southerly breeze will face difficulties establishing itself like previous days. At this point, winds of around 6 knots are anticipated. Expect flat seas, clear skies, and similar temperatures to prevail on the racing course.
Weather Prognosis:
America’s Cup Weather Partner PredictWind has launched a dedicated Race Weather Center, granting fans access to detailed daily weather descriptions, live webcams, and historical weather data, alongside daily summaries from meteorologists.
Arnaud Monges, former America’s Cup Team Meteorologist
Pairings and Matches – Louis Vuitton Cup Semi Finals Day 2
Semi Final B: Match 1: ITA vs USA Start: 14:10. Entry: Port: ITA Stbd: USA
Semi Final A: Match 1: SUI vs GBR Start: time yet to be revealed. Entry: Port: SUI | Stbd: GBR
Semi Final B: Match 2: USA vs ITA Start: time to be announced. Entry: Port: USA | Stbd: ITA
Semi Final A: Match 2: GBR vs SUI Start: time still undisclosed. Entry: Port: GBR | Stbd: SUI
Crew Lists
Virtual Eye
Now, or after the racing, you can replay the highlights or the entire race using Virtual Eye from ARL.
Access the Virtual Eye America’s Cup coverage by clicking here, then click on “Watch Previous” to select the race you wish to view. This 3D viewer allows for zooming in, out, around, and up and down, just as you would in a helicopter.
