Please select your home edition
Edition
Rooster 2025

Louis Vuitton Cup- Artemis big surprise in first Semi-Final race

by Bob Fisher on 7 Aug 2013
Artemis leads Luna Rossa at the first mark - Louis Vuitton Cup, Semi-Final 1, August 6, 2013 Chuck Lantz http://www.ChuckLantz.com

The first semi-final of the Louis Vuitton Cup was marked by a surprisingly good performance by Artemis Racing with ‘Big Blue'.

The Swedish team was beaten by Luna Rossa, but considering the relatively different amount of sailing of the two teams – 80 days for Luna Rossa to 80 hours for Artemis Racing – the two minute difference at the finish was a great deal closer than might have been expected.

What also took everyone by surprise was the aggression of Artemis helmsman, Nathan Outteridge at the start. He and his rival, Chris Draper on Luna Rossa, have sparred before – in 49er skiffs – but never before in these giant wing-sailed AC-72 catamarans. Yet with a minute to go Outteridge had made his intentions clear.

The crowd along Marina Green were treated to the sight of Artemis ahead and to windward of Luna Rossa, and determined to maintain this advantage. Draper, it seemed, did not 'pull the trigger' fast enough and Artemis’ timing was right on the button, crossing the starting line within a second of gunfire and there was a clear boat’s length of water between the two.



In the 15-16 knot west-south-westerly breeze both boats foiled fast to the first mark where Artemis Racing led by six seconds. Downwind the time in practice difference became readily apparent. While both boats maintained much the same speed, it was the ability of the Luna Rossa crew to maintain foiling as they went through their gybes that was the telling factor.

Luna Rossa went ahead and by the time they went through the second ‘gate’ was 30 seconds clear. Upwind however Artemis racing held on and closed the gap slightly to be 21 seconds in arrears at the third mark, and there was a noticeable surge of interest – no one so far had seen the AC-72s racing this close.

There was a degree of inevitability as the race progressed – the greater sailing experience (in the boats) of Luna Rossa was particularly apparent on all legs and the Italians drew away to win by a fraction under two minutes. 'We have to make big improvements,' said Artemis skipper Iain Percy after the finish, 'little ones are not enough.' But he did agree he was pleasantly surprised with the boat’s performance.

Luna Rossa suffered some damage to the skin of one of the lower flaps of her wing before that start of the race and Draper admitted that it was a cause for concern, but agreed that the late start was inexcusable. 'But,' he said, 'today showed we had some [better] skills.'

Three days earlier, Percy had suggested that 18 knots of breeze might be a self-imposed limit for Artemis, but after today said that the team would be prepared for the 22-knot limit. Possibly tomorrow (Wednesday) might see breeze nearer that.

[Sorry, this content could not be displayed]










Hyde Sails 2024 - One DesignSea Sure 2025V-DRY-X

Related Articles

Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta day 3
Mother Nature teases the competitors Mother Nature teased the competitors today and made them wait a bit, but she did not disappoint; the sun came out and a big westerly built to 18-20 knots!
Posted today at 5:22 pm
The Iconic Admiral's Cup Returns!
Harken UK caught up with the RORC CEO and Admiral's Cup sailors ahead of the event After a long hiatus, this prestigious international yachting regatta makes its grand comeback from 17- 31 July at The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) in Cowes, Isle of Wight.
Posted today at 3:30 pm
Excellent Olympic Season Openers for GP Watercraft
Bermudan ILCA sailors enjoy a strong start to the season! The first two Olympic events of 2025 proved a very positive start to the season for GP Watercraft and their Bermudan ILCA sailors: Sebastian Kempe (ILCA 7) and Adriana Penruddocke (ILCA 6) who are both coached by Shaun Priestley of GP Watercraft.
Posted today at 11:00 am
A century of human endeavour
The Fastnet Race is regarded as one of offshore sailing's most complete proving grounds For 100 years, the Rolex Fastnet Race has been regarded as one of offshore sailing's most complete proving grounds. It is a place where ambitions and dreams meet harsh reality, where skill, endurance and fortitude are severely tested.
Posted today at 10:14 am
Martine Grael in Racing on the Edge
First female driver to win a Fleet Race captured in behind-the-scenes documentary Major milestone moment for SailGP captured in behind-the-scenes documentary series, which reaches 10 million total viewers since launching in 2021.
Posted today at 8:45 am
Get ready to celebrate world's best sailing photos
16th edition of the Pantaenius Yacht Racing Image Award Professional photographers from around the globe are invited to submit their best yacht racing images captured between October 14, 2024, and October 12, 2025.
Posted today at 7:15 am
Alli Bell & Restless crew to make Transpac history
On course to be the first woman skipper to win Transpac overall Alli Bell and the crew of her Cal 40 Restless took a winch handle to the notion that winning the Transpacific Yacht Race's top corrected-time prize requires membership in an old-boys club or a mighty war chest.
Posted today at 6:28 am
Rolex Fastnet Race IRC Four preview
The pinnacle of grass roots sailing has 97 entries The very largest yachts, including the 100ft Ultim foiling trimarans and 60ft IMOCAs are an essential part of the spectacle of the Fastnet Race, however a critical element in the race's enduring appeal is that this is predominately a grass roots event.
Posted on 14 Jul
Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta day 2
Classic Long Beach conditions return The weather conditions at the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta shifted noticeably today, delivering the classic Long Beach breeze that many expect from this world-class venue.
Posted on 14 Jul
NYYC International Women's Championship update
Third group of skippers includes Nicole Breault, Dominique Proyoveur, Laura van Veen While there is no nationality requirement for the crews that will compete in the 2026 New York Yacht Club International Women's Championship, a number of teams are embracing the opportunity to wave their respective national flags at the debut edition.
Posted on 14 Jul