Louis Vuitton Cup Final Day 2
by Mark Jardine 28 Sep 08:11 PDT
28 September 2024
Conditions in Barcelona were calmer on the second day of the Louis Vuitton Cup Final after racing on Thursday reached the upper limits of the wind range.
Will this advantage Luna Rossa again and reveal INEOS Britannia’s weaknesses, or have the British crew managed to refine their tacking and gybing techniques in lighter 5-8 knot winds?
As British coach Rob Wilson stated before the start, “Every maneuver must be executed perfectly, or there will be consequences.”
Italian coach Philippe Presti emphasized the importance of clear air during the pre-start, explaining, “These boats create significant bad airflow behind their sails. The primary objective is to visualize this airflow and steer clear of it; attempting to maneuver or gain speed in it could lead to disaster. It’s a mental exercise, carefully observing the boat’s wake and strategizing sail placements post-maneuver.”
In the race to seven points, if one crew wins both races today, they’ll be almost halfway to that goal. The big question was whether we would conclude the day with even scores or if one team would establish a significant lead.
Another pressing concern was whether racing could proceed in such light winds.
Broadcast
A helicopter perspective is crucial during the pre-start, as tactics evolve continuously. Close-up shots of the boats are attractive, but they detract from the tactical aspects unfolding. Wind speed and direction graphics in the area are incredibly helpful; it would be beneficial to utilize them more frequently. When races are time-constrained, the Race Time Limit clock should be visible at all times.
INEOS Britannia vs. Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli
After a two-hour wait for the breeze to reach the minimum 6.5 kph wind limit, racing finally commenced with a shortened course of six legs instead of eight.
Luna Rossa positioned themselves early near the starting line, allowing time to spare in gentle winds as both boats aligned from above the line.
INEOS Britannia took off from the advantageous right side of the starting line, gaining enough of a lead to tack above Luna Rossa as they crossed from the left side of the boundary.
The British team significantly advanced on the right when the Italians changed direction and encountered a contrasting pressure zone.
By the first windward gate, INEOS Britannia had a 19-second lead, but Luna Rossa opted for the opposing buoy and surged downwind in stronger pressure to seize the lead before their first gybe.
The British crew regained the lead on starboard gybe, heading toward the Italian vessel. Just as it appeared the Italians would catch up, they lost control of their rudder during a gybe and barely managed to stabilize before losing lift. This error cost them a hundred meters.
INEOS Britannia rounded the initial leeward gate 15 seconds ahead, yet the wind remained inconsistent, dropping to about 6 knots during lulls, making their lead precarious.
The British team proceeded upwind methodically, ensuring they built speed before each tack while closely monitoring their Italian counterparts. The windward gate posed the greatest risk due to the lightest winds there.
After successfully navigating the second windward gate, Ben Ainslie and Dylan Fletcher deliberated on gybe timing, focusing on maintaining speed and using pressure to stay foiling. Luna Rossa rounded one minute and 28 seconds behind. Although the lead seemed substantial, a single misstep could change everything.
INEOS Britannia’s communication evolved, with Dylan informing Ben that “There will be extra wind on exit” during a tack, to which Ben replied “Copy,” as he applied more power to ride through the disturbed air created by Luna Rossa downwind.
Staying on the foils proved increasingly challenging on the final upwind leg, with Ben expressing urgency, “Focus here, this is crucial,” as they skirted the edge of foiling. Despite their efforts, Luna Rossa succumbed to a hull submersion in the water.
However, the wind was continually diminishing, causing INEOS Britannia to over-heel leeward while executing a tack, rising excessively out of the water, losing rudder control, and crashing back down. The race had devolved into a low-speed competition amid only 4 or 5 knots of wind, with only 16 minutes left to complete the upwind and final downwind legs before the finish.
If one team could catch a gust and get foiling, the British boat’s 500-meter advantage would be irrelevant. Meanwhile, the Race Time Limit clock continued to count down mercilessly.
Time is unyielding; the 45-minute race limit appeared poised to prevail as Luna Rossa rounded the final windward gate 5 minutes and 59 seconds behind INEOS Britannia.
The British crew exhausted all options to achieve foiling, even angling upwind at times, but there simply wasn’t enough wind. The race was ultimately abandoned, soon followed by the Race Committee declaring the day over.
While INEOS Britannia may view this as a point lost, they can take significant encouragement from their performance in light conditions. They seemed to be better prepared for maneuvers to remain foiling, adjusting the rig for optimal power during lulls.
No points earned, yet a critical question resolved for the British team.
