Puig Women’s America’s Cup – Italy Leads Following Unusual Day 1
by Richard Gladwell/Sail-World NZ 5 Oct 11:01 PDT
6 October 2024
Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI) – Group A – Puig Women’s America’s Cup – Group A – October 5, 2024 © Ricardo Pinto / America’s Cup
The Luna Rossa Women’s America’s Cup team followed in the footsteps of the Italian Youth crew, securing the top position on the leaderboard after Day 1 of the Puig Women’s America’s Cup.
Four fleet races were organized among the six Group A teams, which are associated with America’s Cup teams.
Once more, the weather in Barcelona was unpredictable, varying from calm to 15-18 knots at times, even shifting dramatically during a single leg. At one point, the wind completely died as the boats were initially foiling toward the finish line and then had to slowly drift the final few meters to complete the race.
At one stage, while rounding a gate at the end of the course, they foiled towards it, but most of the fleet lost their foils, struggling to find a breeze to continue foiling again.
The sea conditions transitioned from flat water to surf, creating thrilling moments on the AC40s, showcasing impressive sailing skills under challenging circumstances that could have seen a capsize or two. The first day of racing in the Women’s America’s Cup featured a higher level of sailing compared to the inaugural day of the Youth America’s Cup.
The opening race seemed to act as a practice run for the main event, with the British crew, led by triple Olympic medalist Hannah Mills, gaining an early lead and pulling away consistently over the four legs.
Italy, helmed by Giulia Conti, who has competed for Italy in four Olympic Games across three classes, faced a setback by lightly bumping the first mark and losing their foils, dropping to the back of the fleet. However, they managed to stage a comeback, finishing fourth, while claiming wins in the remaining races to dominate the Day 1 leaderboard, with Great Britain in second and New Zealand trailing by 11 points in third.
Tomorrow, it will be the turn of the Group B teams, which are not linked to any America’s Cup team but have been invited to compete in the other bracket of the regatta.
Fingers crossed, Barcelona will exhibit better conditions.
More images from today are available at the bottom of this article.
Race Summaries:
Race 1:
NZL started as the leeward boat with GBR just windward. GBR tacked for the starboard border and seized the lead before reaching it.
Mark 1: GBR (04m 16sec); ITA (+12sec); NZL (+33sec), USA (+.37), SUI (+49), FRA – Italy lost its foils just after rounding Mark 1 and dropped to the back.
Mark 2: GBR (08m 16sec); NZL (+58sec); USA (+99sec), SUI (103sec)
Mark 3: GBR (13m 16sec); NZL (+76sec); SUI (+134sec)
Finish: GBR (17m 06sec); NZL (+79sec); SUI (+97sec); ITA (+218sec); USA (+245sec); FRA (307sec)
Race 2:
Mark 1: GBR (03m 46sec); SUI (+24sec); FRA (+38sec); ITA (+72sec); USA (+74sec)
Mark 2: SUI (07m 00sec); FRA (+23sec); GBR (+26sec); ITA (+51sec); NZL and USA lost their foils
Mark 3: ITA (12m 57sec); GBR (+13sec); SUI (73sec)
Finish: ITA (15m 33sec); SUI (113sec); GBR (156sec). Others did not finish within 5 mins. NZL recovered after falling over 3000 meters behind. Some cruised down the final run with a 15-knot breeze that completely dropped before the finish.
Race 3:
Mark 1: GBR (03m 52sec); NZL (+07sec); ITA (+11sec)
Mark 2: ITA (06m 55sec); FRA (+07sec); NZL (+11sec); GBR (+13sec); USA (+18sec); SUI (+26sec)
Mark 3: ITA (11m 20sec); GBR (+13sec); NZL (+33sec); FRA (+39sec); USA (+40sec); SUI (+52sec)
Finish: ITA (14m 03sec); GBR (+28sec); NZL (+46sec); FRA (+60sec); USA (+73sec); SUI (+119sec)
Race 4:
Mark 1: GBR (04m 25sec); ITA (+09sec); USA (+12sec); NZL (+17sec); FRA (+21sc); SUI
Mark 2: ITA (07m 40sec); GBR (+04sec); USA (+15sec); NZL (+28sec)
Mark 3: ITA (12m 33sec); GBR (+03sec); FRA (+47sec); NZL (+50sec); SUI (+111sec)
Finish: ITA (15m 41sec); GBR (+12sec); FRA (+62sec); NZL (+67sec); SUI (+83sec) USA Gate 3
Points:
1. ITA 4,1,1,1 33pts
2. GBR 1,3,2,2 29pts
3. NZL 2,4,3,4 18pts
4. SUI 3,2,6,5 15pts
5. FRA 6,5,4,3 11pts
6. USA 5,6,5,6 6pts
Weather:
Course Location:
Crew Lists:
Additional Images:
