Cup Spy – Day 21: Louis Vuitton Cup – British Become Challenger for First Time in 60 Years
by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World NZ, October 4, 2024, 11:29 PDT
INEOS Britannia and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli – Louis Vuitton Cup – Final – Race Day 7 – October 4, 2024 © Ian Roman / America’s Cup
Louis Vuitton Cup Finals – Day 7, or Day 21 of the Challenger Selection Series for the Louis Vuitton Cup.
The Royal Yacht Squadron advanced closer to regaining the America’s Cup with a dominant performance in Race 11 of the Louis Vuitton Cup, defeating their opponents 7 points to 4 points in the Challenger Selection Series.
The Italian challenger, representing Circolo della Vela Sicilia, saw their chances dwindle significantly after losing two races on Thursday. The British only needed to win one of the three remaining races, and they achieved that on their first attempt.
Today’s race unfolded like previous races in the Final, with no changes in the outcome after both challengers rounded Mark 1. They often had mere seconds separating them as they reached pivotal marks, although the two AC75s often rounded opposite gates before heading down their respective sides of the typically eight-leg course.
The forecast for Friday predicted lighter winds than the 12-15 knots that prevailed during much of the race, leading to discussions among teams regarding the appropriate jib choice. The Italians decided to use a larger sail compared to the British.
INEOS Britannia employed unique tactics before the start, moving windward and circling the starboard start mark to gain control over the beginning. After a short detour, they managed to enter the starboard start mark and executed a perfectly timed final run down the start line, crossing under gunfire, hitting 40 knots while Luna Rossa trailed at 35 knots. As the Italians gradually accelerated, they had to tack away and head towards the starboard side of the course. The British extended their lead to over 60 meters and executed their strategy effectively.
By the time they reached Mark 1, the British were 10 seconds ahead, rounding the starboard gate while completing a nuanced 270° maneuver around the mark. The Italians approached from the same side but 150 meters back, rounding the opposite mark at 50 knots before heading down the port side of the course. However, this was not sufficient; at the next crossing, and for most of the race, the gap widened to around 200-300 meters.
Italian nerves began to fray on Leg 5 when the two boats split tacks as Luna Rossa opted for a 270° maneuver around the starboard gate and moved to the starboard side.
It was unclear what strategy the Brits were employing, but the Italians took calculated risks—and it paid off. When the boats closed on tacks for the first time, the Italians had trimmed the British lead, but when they met again, it was barely within a boatlength.
Wind strength remained consistent at around 15 knots, with the breeze coming from 206° —208°. Both AC75s rounded the same starboard gate at Mark 5, but the margin was down to 4 seconds or just 22 meters, creating the potential for a mid-race lead change for the first time in 11 races.
However, this was not to be as the Italians gradually pulled ahead to a lead just shy of 10 seconds over the next two marks, eventually extending their advantage to 17 seconds, or approximately 300 meters, by the finish.
For the British, this victory in the Final lifted a significant weight off their shoulders, marking the first opportunity for the nation that originally birthed the America’s Cup to reclaim it in 60 years.
Final – Match 11: INEOS Britannia (GBR) (Port Startbox entry) vs Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli (ITA) (Starboard Startbox Entry) Start: 1215hrs UTC
Mark 1: 03m 31sec GBR led ITA by a margin of 10sec
Mark 2: 06m 29sec GBR led ITA by a margin of 09sec
Mark 3: 10m 21sec GBR led ITA by a margin of 11sec; Luna Rossa closed in – a potential lead change
Mark 4: 13m 20sec GBR led ITA by a margin of 7sec
Mark 5: 17m 23sec GBR led ITA by a margin of 4sec
Mark 6: 20m 16sec GBR led ITA by a margin of 8sec
Mark 7: 24m 05sec GBR led ITA by a margin of 9sec
Mark 8: 26m 46sec GBR led ITA by a margin of 17sec
Friday, October 4, 2024: Race Schedule – Finals Matches 11 and 12:
Final – Match 11: INEOS Britannia (GBR) (Port Startbox entry) vs Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli (ITA) (Starboard Startbox Entry) Start: 1215hrs UTC
Final – Match 12: Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli (ITA) (Port Startbox Entry) vs INEOS Britannia (GBR) (Starboard Startbox entry) Start: 1315hrs UTC
Virtual Eye
After racing, you can relive key moments or the entire race using Virtual Eye from ARL by clicking here, selecting “Watch Previous,” and choosing the race you want to view. This 3D viewer allows you to zoom in, out, and around as if you were in a helicopter.
Course Location:
Weather Outlook:
America’s Cup Weather Partner PredictWind has developed a dedicated Race Weather Center providing fans access to comprehensive daily weather analyses, live webcam feeds, and historical weather records alongside daily weather insights from meteorologists.
Friday, October 4, 2024: Race Schedule – Finals Matches 11 and 12:
Final – Match 11: INEOS Britannia (GBR) (Port Startbox entry) vs Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli (ITA) (Starboard Startbox Entry) Start: 1215hrs UTC
Final – Match 12: Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli (ITA) (Port Startbox Entry) vs INEOS Britannia (GBR) (Starboard Startbox entry) Start: 1315hrs UTC
Current Forecast for Race Day 21:
Friday, October 4, 2024
In the morning, offshore winds will be coming from the Northwest. By midday, the wind is expected to diminish and struggle to shift from the South as usual. In the afternoon, light and variable winds around 5 knots are anticipated.
It will be a sunny day with cooler temperatures rising to 21°C, which is not ideal for thermal wind development.
Saturday 5th
In the afternoon, winds from the Southwest at around 6 to 8 knots are expected, slightly stronger than the previous day, under clear skies with rising temperatures.
By Arnaud Monges, Former America’s Cup Team Meteorologist
Virtual Eye
After the races, you can rewatch key points or the whole race using Virtual Eye from ARL. This is the tool Inside Tack uses to analyze various points—utilizing the actual tracks of the AC75s.
For direct access to Virtual Eye’s America’s Cup coverage, click here, select “Watch Previous,” and choose your desired race. Virtual Eye provides a 3D viewer, allowing you to zoom in, out, around, and up and down as if you were in a helicopter.
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