Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup Day 3
by Mark Jardine 14 Oct 05:55 PDT
14 October 2024
Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup Race 4 – October 14, 2024 © Ricardo Pinto / America’s Cup
A single race day unfolded in Barcelona following the wind dropping below the required minimum after race 3 on Sunday.
The stakes feel high; a win for the Kiwis would result in a 4-0 lead, while a win for the Brits would uplift team morale and provide crucial momentum in the series.
Race 4: Emirates Team New Zealand vs. INEOS Britannia
Racing commenced on schedule in 11 knots of wind.
During the pre-start, we saw INEOS Britannia tail Emirates Team New Zealand after they entered, opting to tack when the Kiwis gybed, positioning themselves high for a clean time-on-distance battle.
The Brits launched slightly quicker at the committee boat end, while the Kiwis were positioned 100 meters to their left. At the first boundary tack, INEOS Britannia executed a perfect tack right onto Emirates Team New Zealand’s lee bow, forcing the Kiwis to tack twice to clear their air.
In the initial cross, the British team pressured the Kiwis, making them take a wider duck than they’d prefer. In the following engagement, Emirates Team New Zealand nailed a perfect lee bow tack, prompting INEOS Britannia to tack towards the windward mark.
At the first windward gate, the race was too close to call, with both boats rounding opposite marks simultaneously.
On the first downwind leg, Emirates Team New Zealand took the lead and dialed up on INEOS Britannia, triggering a protest from Ben Ainslie, with no penalty issued.
During the next cross, while the Brits were on starboard, the protest button was activated again, yet the Kiwis maintained a significant lead.
At the first leeward gate, Emirates Team New Zealand finished three seconds ahead, showcasing the finest race of the America’s Cup Match.
The Kiwis capitalized on a favorable right shift during the second upwind leg, securing an 80-meter lead and pushing the Brits leftward on each tack, slightly extending their lead each time—Burling and Outteridge once more displaying their prowess as exceptional match racers once in front.
The cyclists were pushed to their limits during the tacking duel, with Emirates Team New Zealand rounding the second windward gate thirteen seconds ahead, as both teams opted for the identical mark.
Listening to Burling and Outteridge discuss tactics and wind was incredibly insightful. Their calmness and harmonious teamwork highlighted the strength of this remarkable pairing, both Olympic gold medalists in the 49er and Moth World Champions. By the second leeward gate, they had stretched their lead to fifteen seconds.
During the third upwind leg, the Kiwis “kept the pressure on” the Brits, as Emirates Team New Zealand coach Ray Davies remarked. They provided no chances for INEOS Britannia whatsoever.
At the last windward gate, the Kiwis held a 24-second lead, while the Brits attempted to find an opening by opting for the opposite mark—however, it proves challenging when facing an opponent sailing flawlessly.
Emirates Team New Zealand ultimately won by 23 seconds, securing a dominant 4-0 lead in the overall score.
A slight glimmer of optimism for INEOS Britannia is that this race was more competitive, with speed appearing relatively even; however, time is running short to reverse the tide against a formidable Kiwi team.
Emirates Team New Zealand skipper Peter Burling remarked after the finish, “Every win feels great, but today definitely felt more like a proper boat race compared to yesterday. It’s nice to continue making progress as a team throughout these races. I’m eager to push ahead.”
INEOS Britannia skipper Ben Ainslie commented, “It was a solid race with a good start, and we had the first cross, but they’re really in their element, so for us, it’s about figuring out how we can make gains to challenge them.”
Races 5 and 6 are scheduled for Wednesday, October 16th.
