INEOS Britannia Set for Clash with Luna Rossa in 37th America’s Cup Match
by INEOS Britannia 25 Sep 07:57 PDT
Louis Vuitton Cup Finals Media Conference (l-r) Dylan Fletcher, Ben Ainslie, Jimmy Spithill, Checco Bruni © David Maynard / www.alleycatphotographer.com
INEOS Britannia, the British Challenger of Record competing for the Royal Yacht Squadron Ltd, is prepared to go up against the Italian team, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, for a spot in the 37th America’s Cup Match.
The two teams will confront each other in the Louis Vuitton Cup Final, a first-to-seven series starting Thursday. The victor will face Defenders Emirates Team New Zealand in an effort to claim the oldest international sports trophy.
INEOS Britannia Team Principal and Skipper Ben Ainslie expressed his anticipation for “a tightly contested battle,” particularly in light of their previous encounters in the Round Robin qualifying series, where INEOS Britannia secured two victories out of three against Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli.
“I believe we are two very evenly matched teams, so it’s going to be an incredible final,” Ainslie commented. “The fascination of this sport lies in the many variables at play, from human factors like maneuvers and pre-start tactics to technology involving design and engineering, along with unpredictable weather – that’s the complexity of this competition, and it’s what we cherish. The conditions here are tricky and changeable; we’ve all witnessed that, so Mother Nature and the Italians are our challenges.”
Sports fans might feel a sense of déjà vu since these same two teams competed in the Challengers Final at the last America’s Cup held in Auckland in 2021. The Italians emerged from that final with the chance to challenge the Kiwis for the 36th America’s Cup Match, where Emirates Team New Zealand won in their defense of the Auld Mug.
INEOS Britannia Co-Helm Dylan Fletcher remarked: “The team has been progressing throughout this campaign, and it truly feels like we are gaining momentum now. It has taken significant effort from the entire team, and reaching the Louis Vuitton Cup Final feels fantastic. We feel equipped to go the distance.”
Ainslie will be joined on the AC75 race boat Britannia by Co-Helm Dylan Fletcher, Trimmers Bleddyn Mon and Leigh McMillan, as well as four Cyclors who operate the boat’s hydraulic system. The four Cyclors aboard Britannia come from a pool of nine athletes, who rotate between races to maximize performance. This group includes America’s Cup veterans David ‘Freddie’ Carr, Ben Cornish, Matt Gotrel, Neil Hunter, and Luke Parkinson, along with rookies Harry Leask, Matt Rossiter, James Skulczuk, and Ryan Todhunter.
Ainslie stated that the Cyclors are “crucial” to the race boat’s performance, being just as vital as components like the foils, which lift the AC75 above the water, and the sails. “They are the driving force,” he explained. “If we lack sufficient power, we can’t execute our maneuvers as intended, compromising our overall performance.”
Ben Ainslie’s British team advanced to the Final after defeating Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI) 5-2 in the Semi-Final, while the Italians overcame NYYC American Magic 5-3. Each day will feature two races as both teams strive for survival. In the Round Robin stage, the five challenging teams raced against each other twice. The British crew faced Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli three times due to a points tie, necessitating a sail-off to determine the Round Robin stage winner. INEOS Britannia triumphed in the sail-off, raising its tally against the Italians to two wins and one defeat.
The scoreboard will restart for the Louis Vuitton Cup Final, as both teams aim to be the first to secure seven race victories and lift the Louis Vuitton Cup before challenging Emirates Team New Zealand in the 37th America’s Cup Match starting October 12. The Final kicks off Thursday, September 26, with UK viewers able to watch the entire event live on Sail-World.com and YachtsandYachting.com from 13:00 BST (14:00 CEST).
