Concord Pacific Racing poised to contend for semi-final position at UniCredit Youth America’s Cup
by Concord Pacific Racing 21 Sep 13:17 PDT
September 17-26, 2024
Concord Pacific Racing Youth Team at UniCredit Youth America’s Cup, Race Day 4 – Group B – September 21, 2024 – Barcelona © Ricardo Pinto / America’s Cup
The Concord Pacific Racing Youth Team approaches tomorrow’s races with everything at stake, needing a robust showing to lock in a semi-final spot at the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup.
Following a day filled with thrilling highs and disappointing lows on the water, the Canadians remain competitive, currently positioned fifth overall with just two races left.
Despite showing improvement over the day, characterized by effective communication, excellent speed, and precise maneuvers helping them navigate the fleet, a few critical mistakes proved detrimental. Concord Pacific Racing concluded the day with varied results: fifth, second, sixth, fifth, and fifth.
Currently trailing third-place Sail Team BCN by seven points, the team is in search of a top-three finish to qualify for the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, Artemis Swedish Challenge, the sole team in Group B that owns its own AC40 and enjoys extended water time, excelled, triumphing in four out of five races and seizing a significant lead on the overall standings.
“I’m not entirely satisfied with the day overall, although there were many positives,” noted Concord Pacific Racing Youth athlete Georgia Lewin-LaFrance. “We enhanced our sailing throughout the day and made significant learnings, but we also encountered some critical race-ending moments. If we can correct those, we should be set to contend for the top three tomorrow.”
Lewin-LaFrance continued, “I am very confident in our ability to break into the top three, and we will fight vigorously to achieve that. We will take every lesson from today to ensure we are among the top three tomorrow.”
The day kicked off with optimistic aspirations, as the Canadians, coming off a strong second-place finish the previous day, aimed to maintain momentum. However, the conditions proved more challenging, with stronger winds and a rough sea state pushing the high-speed AC40s to their limits.
While Concord Pacific Racing displayed adaptability and resilience, moving from fifth to third in the opening race, a boundary penalty after hitting a large wave cost them dearly, resulting in a fifth-place finish.
Their steadiness yielded rewards in the second race. Even after starting from the back of the fleet, the team’s tactical skill enabled them to methodically overtake competitors, taking advantage of mistakes by others to claim a hard-fought second place—a sign of their competitive potential.
In the third race, Concord Pacific Racing appeared strong, leading the fleet after a solid start. For most of the race, they looked set for another top finish, but disaster befell them in the final leg. A botched jibe led to a crash and loss of foiling, transforming a potential podium finish into a last-place result.
Determined to recover, the Canadians entered the fourth race with renewed determination. Nonetheless, they faced early challenges and couldn’t progress beyond fifth, as the Swedish team continued its dominance with yet another emphatic victory.
In the day’s final race, the Canadians found themselves in third heading into the last leg. However, a boundary penalty coupled with a crucial error saw them drop to fifth, finishing the day on a frustrating note.
Heading into Day 3, the Canadians realize the necessity of performing strongly in two races to keep their hopes alive.
Concord Pacific Racing Youth Captain Andrew Wood remains hopeful: “We have significant challenges ahead tomorrow. Competing against these teams won’t be easy, but if we can refine the areas where we struggled today, we can definitely emerge as one of the top contenders.”
Fans can catch the live action on the Sail-World.com homepage, where all the races will be broadcasted.
Group B Standings after Day 2:
1. Artemis Swedish Challenge | 52 points
2. Andoo Team Australia | 32 points
3. Sail Team BCN | 28 points
4. Jajo Team Dutchsail | 23 points
5. Concord Pacific Racing | 21 points
6. Team Germany | 14 points
To keep up with Concord Pacific Racing’s journey, follow them on Instagram or visit the team’s website.
