Cup Update: Luna Rossa Breaks Traveler – Significant Structural Failure
by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World NZ 18 Sep 07:12 PDT
Luna Rossa breaks traveler – Day 4 – Semi-Finals – Louis Vuitton Cup – Day 13 – September 18, 2024 – Barcelona © Ricardo Pinto / America’s Cup
Race Recaps:
Complete reports will be updated after the race concludes when Virtual Eye data, including wind speeds, VMG, and speeds, become available.
Semi Final 1 – Match 7: Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli (ITA) vs American Magic (USA)
American Magic starts 12 meters short of the line with Luna Rossa on their side, immediately tacking. American Magic takes the port corner at the top of the course. The boats cross tacks while heading for opposite gates at Mark 1. ITA (starboard) filed a protest against USA. However, it was dismissed.
Mark 1: At 3m 21sec, USA led ITA by 7 seconds. ITA found more pressure on the starboard boundary, resulting in a lead change. USA returned from the starboard boundary, leading by 70 meters.
Mark 2: At 6m 46sec, USA led ITA by 4 seconds. ITA again found pressure on the starboard side, leading to yet another lead change. USA and ITA reached Mark 3 together, with USA entering on port and having the right of way since they were first to enter the Mark Zone.
Mark 3:
Luna Rossa breaks traveler – significant structural issue – out of the race.
Semi Final 2 – Match 7: INEO Britannia (GBR) vs Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI)
Start: The British team switched mainsails between races. GBR was penalized for an early entry. The start split between tacks, claiming winds of 11 knots. GBR headed for the starboard boundary, gaining an advantage. On the return cross, GBR took the lead as SUI and GBR worked opposite sides of the course, with several lead changes. GBR led by 130 meters nearing Mark 1.
Mark 1: At 4m 27sec, GBR led SUI by 25 seconds. GBR extended to over a 400-meter lead. Halfway through Leg 2, the British team’s rudder washed out during a gybe, conceding 200 meters of lead to the Swiss.
Mark 2: At 07m 59sec, GBR led SUI by 31 seconds. The margin increased to 400 meters heading to Mark 3.
Mark 3: At 12m 44sec, GBR maintained a lead of 50 seconds over SUI. VMG was comparable with GBR at 26 knots and SUI at 27 knots, reducing the margin to 300 meters as wind dropped to 7 knots.
Mark 4: At 17m 11sec, GBR led SUI by 39 seconds.
Mark 5: At 21m 13sec, GBR continued to hold their lead.
Finish: At 23m 47sec, GBR beat SUI.
Semi Final 1 – Match 6: Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli (ITA) vs American Magic (USA)
Start: USA won the start, but as soon as they tacked, ITA gained the leeward advantage, leading by 160 meters. Both teams headed for the starboard boundary, with ITA taking back the lead by 170 meters. ITA entered the port corner and came out heading towards the starboard gate mark.
Mark 1: At 4m 03sec, ITA led USA by 47 seconds. ITA continued down the starboard layline but exited with nearly zero VMG. USA entered the port corner, found more pressure, and changed the lead. USA was first to exit their foils. ITA opted to round instead of risking a gybe, sailing over the boundary and incurring a double penalty. They got a puff strong enough to go downwind and made a lead change.
Mark 2: At 15m 11sec, the margin was 0.00 seconds.
Mark 3: At 19m 31sec, USA led ITA by 170 seconds. The course was shortened to four legs. ITA sailed outside the course boundary and was disqualified instead of penalized.
Finish: At 27m 18sec, USA achieved their second win.
Semi Final 2 – Match 6: INEOS Britannia (GBR) vs Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI) – 1210hrs UTC Scheduled Start
There appears to be a nice breeze around 8 knots, possibly more, but with a choppy sea state.
SUI led off the start to leeward, advancing on GBR by 42 meters. They sailed with GBR on their side until reaching the port boundary. Alinghi tacked while taking rights off the boundary but lost the foils, resulting in a lead swap. SUI closed as both teams approached Mark 1 off the Port layline.
Mark 1: At 04m 31sec, GBR led SUI by 6 seconds. After the AC75s gybed off the boundary, Alinghi started on INEOS’ hip, overtaking and sailing deeper than GBR, allowing them to move across GBR’s bow, extending their lead down Leg 2 to 500 meters.
Mark 2: At 08m 48sec, SUI led GBR by 61 seconds. The margin increased to over 1000 meters, with GBR struggling to sail as deep as SUI.
Mark 3: At 12m 47sec, SUI continued to lead GBR by 61 seconds.
Mark 4: At 15m 56sec, SUI maintained a lead over GBR by 85 seconds.
Mark 5:
Finish: At 22m 32sec, SUI triumphed over GBR. SUI recorded their second victory.
Racing has concluded for the day at the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup and will resume at 1210hrs UTC in the Semi-Finals of the Louis Vuitton Cup.
Expect light winds and a tough sea state caused by a nearby Mistral, challenging both AC40 and AC75 crews as racing continues in the Louis Vuitton Cup and UniCredit Youth America’s Cup today, September 18, 2024.
For those unfamiliar with Europe, a “mistral” is a strong, cold, northwestern wind blowing from southern France into the Gulf of Lion in the northern Mediterranean, contrasted with the typical warmer summer breeze coming from the south or southwest.
Weather Update:
America’s Cup Weather Partner PredictWind has established a dedicated Race Weather Center, providing fans with daily weather analyses, live webcams, and historical weather data compiled by meteorologists.
Updated Forecast for Wednesday, 18 Sept – Louis Vuitton Semi-final Day 4
In the morning, a North-East wind gradient will continue after blowing throughout the night. By midday, the wind is expected to shift to the East, with speeds around 6 to 10 knots in the afternoon and gusts reaching 12 knots. The wind is anticipated to turn southeast in the afternoon, with minimal change in speed.
Waves of 1.1 meters from the East with a 6-second period might result in challenging foiling conditions.
The sky will remain partly cloudy, with temperatures reaching 22°C. Conditions are expected to stay dry, with a slight chance of rain. Some instability in the atmosphere is anticipated, with heavy rain expected further south of Barcelona during the day (approximately 100 kilometers away).
Race Schedule and Live Coverage:
You can watch today’s racing live here:
Louis Vuitton Cup – Semi Finals Racing Schedule – Day 4
Proposed Match Schedule – Louis Vuitton Cup – Day 13 – Semi Finals Day 4:
Semi Final 2 – Match 6: INEOS Britannia vs Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI) – 1210hrs UTC Scheduled Start
Semi Final 1 – Match 6: Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli (ITA) vs American Magic (USA) – Start time to be confirmed
Semi Final 2 – Match 7: INEOS Britannia (GBR) vs Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI) – Start time to be confirmed
Semi Final 1 – Match 7: Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli (ITA) vs American Magic (USA) – Start time to be confirmed
UniCredit Youth America’s Cup – Day 2
Group A – adjusted schedule
Race 3 Scheduled Start 0910hrs UTC
Race 4 Scheduled Start 0954hrs UTC
While waiting for the coverage to begin, check out the following:
Virtual Eye
After the races, you can replay key moments or the entire race using Virtual Eye from ARL.
Direct access to Virtual Eye America’s Cup coverage is available here. Click on “Watch Previous” and choose the race you wish to view. Virtual Eye is a 3D visualizer, allowing you to zoom in, out, and around, just like in a helicopter.
Inside Tack
The latest episodes of the always excellent Inside Tack featuring “Freddie” Carr (Cyclor), Lucas Delcourt (Shoreside Performance Coordinator), Giles Scott (Sailing Squad), and Ian Williams (Rules and Racing Strategy Coach).
Race Recaps:
