UniCredit Youth America’s Cup challenges teams with rough seas and strong winds
by Emirates Team New Zealand, September 17, 15:28 PDT
September 17-22, 2024
UniCredit Youth America’s Cup, Day 1 Racing – Group A – Alinghi Red Bull Youth Team – September 17, 2024 © Alinghi Red Bull Racing / Samo Vidic
The eagerly awaited opening day of Group A racing in the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup proved to be a lengthy test of endurance for both competitors and fans, who waited over three hours for the wind to materialize—and when it finally did, it was substantial.
The vibrant atmosphere for the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup was created on a lively and colorful dock at the Port Olimpic, where all teams and their supporters gathered, anticipating the first race for a considerable length of time.
The wind conditions were consistently marginal for the AC40s, with forecasts hovering around the minimal wind limit of 7.5 knots throughout the day, compounded by a challenging swell.
Despite multiple efforts to commence racing, the Race Committee finally launched the competition at 5:38 PM local time when the breeze intensified.
Fleet Race 1
After an extended delay for the wind to arrive, the inaugural race of the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup began at 17:38 CET as a southeast breeze filled in, allowing the boats to start foiling.
The Italian helmsman swiftly established a lead, demonstrating speed and angle out of the line before heading directly for the left boundary. The order of the competitors quickly became apparent with the USA and GBR chasing, but Italy dominated the first upwind leg, rounding the top mark with an impressive lead—an outstanding performance by Gianluigi Ugolini and Marco Gradoni. Athena Pathway followed in second, with American Magic in third, as the Americans opted for tactics that took them toward the starboard mark, which Italy covered down the leg.
Orient Express L’Oreal, representing France, was disqualified for exceeding the boundary, while Luna Rossa experienced a brief landing in the waves. The USA passed a faltering GBR, who also touched down, while Alinghi Red Bull Racing claimed third. On the second beat, with winds gusting up to 15 knots, Luna Rossa pulled ahead, with all teams struggling with their large J1 jibs. New Zealand regained third behind the USA, who did their best to stay close to Italy, now approximately 300 meters ahead.
Following a stellar one-board rounding, the USA narrowed the gap to just under 250 meters from the leading Italians on the final upwind leg. Italy defended vigorously, but in the increasing sea conditions, it became a fight for survival as the boats were significantly overpowered with their largest jibs. Italy performed a measured two-board downwind rounding, maintaining their lead throughout the last leg to secure 10 points. Remarkable racing in challenging conditions saw the USA finish second (7 points) and New Zealand take third (5 points).
Fleet Race 2
Has the hierarchy been set? The second race commenced with the fleet reducing their jib size to the J3. The French and Swiss teams failed to start due to technical difficulties, leaving four boats to compete under darkening skies. As the race began, it quickly turned into a three-way battle, with the Kiwis getting an excellent start from the starboard end while the Italians and Americans contested for the boundary.
With nothing separating the three teams, Emirates Team New Zealand surged ahead, rounding the windward mark with a clear advantage. Remarkable bear-aways reached speeds of up to 44 knots, as the Italians pursued the Kiwis and USA lost ground. A significant splashdown by the Kiwis midway through the run allowed the Italians to take the lead. Italy faced two close calls at the leeward mark, which featured a major splashdown and a skid around the mark, while USA closed the gap dramatically with an exceptional one-board rounding.
It was a close competition up the second beat between USA and Italy in 18 knots of wind, and as they reached the last section, American Magic seized the lead by favoring the right boundary and gaining an advantage on starboard tack, with both boats hitting speeds of 30 knots in the cresting waves.
After a slingshot around the top gate, and with conditions becoming increasingly severe, the Race Committee decided to shorten the course, finishing at the second leeward gate. Harry Melges and Kyle Navin left no room for error on this thrilling final leg, speeding across the line at 40 knots to secure the race win. Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli finished second, leaving these two neck-and-neck atop the standings. Exceptional racing by all participating youth sailors.
Emirates Team New Zealand currently sits in a tie for 3rd with Athena Pathway, each with 8 points, suggesting a fierce competition for the next six races over this crucial 3rd qualifying spot for the final six.
The UniCredit Youth America’s Cup will continue tomorrow morning in Barcelona as Group A resumes for two additional flights, followed by Group B taking their turn on the track.
All races will be available live on YouTube.
UniCredit Youth America’s Cup from 8:30 PM to 11:30 PM.
Louis Vuitton Cup Semi Finals from 12 AM to 2 AM.
