Cup Spy – Day 11: Semi Finals Preview of the Louis Vuitton Cup – 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
Welcome to Sail-World’s Early Edition of the Live Coverage for Day 11 of the Louis Vuitton Cup – September 15, 2024.
Weather Update – Louis Vuitton Cup – Semi Finals – Day 1
Sunday, September 15
Post midday, a South-South-West wind from 200° will pick up, reaching 8-12 knots in the afternoon. The sea will remain calm, featuring 0.5-meter waves from the East with a 4-second period. With a clear sky and temperatures as high as 26°, it promises to be a fantastic racing day.
Monday, September 16
In the afternoon, we anticipate lighter conditions as the Southerly breeze struggles to build as it has on prior days. Currently, winds of approximately 6 knots are expected. The race course should experience flat waters, a clear sky, and similar temperatures.
Sunday’s Live Race Coverage:
Race Summaries:
Semi Finals Format and Progression:
The Semi-Finals will feature Round Robin series champ INEOS Britannia against the Swiss team Alinghi Red Bull Racing, who qualified fourth. The other Semi-Final will see second-placed qualifier Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli competing against American Magic, who placed third in the Qualifiers concluding on Monday.
The Semi-Final winners will be the first team to win five races in a best of nine series.
Each pair is scheduled for two races daily, totaling four races each day. Wind limits will remain as per earlier Louis Vuitton Cup rounds, with a lower limit of 6.5 knots and an upper limit of 21 knots, measured at both ends of the course (starting line) through recording devices at each gate. Four devices will calculate the readings averaged over 30-second intervals across a five-minute period from the 9th to the 4th minute before the start. If conditions comply, the Course Director will relay a radio notice (heard on TV commentary) to crews that racing is set to proceed.
If approved, the race will commence regardless of subsequent wind changes. Once greenlighted, the only requirements for the race are that teams must meet a first leg time limit of 12 minutes and a total race time limit of 45 minutes. The race committee can modify leg lengths, compass directions for the next leg, and the number of legs during the race.
To date, no race has exceeded 25 minutes in duration.
The race director maintains the discretion to delay racing (even within prescribed limits) if he deems sea conditions unsafe. He can also cancel a race on safety grounds—a power he nearly invoked during the lightning strikes on Day 5 of the Louis Vuitton Cup. However, Emirates Team NZ’s choice to exit their race and sail past the 100-meter boundary resulted in their disqualification and an immediate race win for Luna Rossa, which effectively eliminated any safety action needed from the Race Director.
Our coverage encompasses Weather updates, Live video, Updated images from the racecourse, mark rounding statistics, timing, margins, and other commentary.
Course Location:
Weather Update – Louis Vuitton Cup – Semi Finals – Day 1
Sunday, September 15
Post midday, a South-South-West wind from 200° will pick up, reaching 8-12 knots in the afternoon. The sea will remain calm, featuring 0.5-meter waves from the East with a 4-second period. With a clear sky and temperatures as high as 26°, it promises to be a fantastic racing day.
Monday, September 16
In the afternoon, we anticipate lighter conditions as the Southerly breeze struggles to build as it has on prior days. Currently, winds of approximately 6 knots are expected. The race course should experience flat waters, a clear sky, and similar temperatures.
Weather Outlook:
America’s Cup Weather Partner PredictWind has set up a tailored Race Weather Center, giving fans access to detailed weather breakdowns, live webcam feeds, and historic weather data accompanied by daily meteorologist-written updates.
Arnaud Monges, former America’s Cup Team Meteorologist
Sailing Schedule – Day 10 – Louis Vuitton Cup Semi Finals Day 1
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 to be announced. 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 to be announced. Entry: Port: GBR | Stbd: SUI
Crew Lists
Pairings and Matches – Louis Vuitton Cup Semi Finals
Virtual Eye
Now, or after the races, you can replay key moments or the entire race using Virtual Eye from ARL
Access Virtual Eye coverage of the America’s Cup by clicking here and selecting “Watch Previous” for your desired race. It’s a 3D viewer allowing zooming in, out, around, and up and down, much like a helicopter view.
Additional Images:
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Virtual Eye
Proposed Match Schedule:
Match 18: American Magic vs INEOS Britannia
Match 19: Luna Rossa vs Orient Express
Match 20: Alinghi Red Bull Racing vs American Magic
Match 21: INEOS Britannia vs Emirates Team NZ
Race Summaries:
Course Location: (From Tuesday: – Updates will follow if racing occurs)