Please select your home edition
Edition
Leaderboard FD July August September 2023

Louis Vuitton Cup- Emirates Team NZ score runaway win over Luna Rossa

by Richard Gladwell on 24 Jul 2013
Louis Vuitton Cup - Race Day 10 -Luna Rossa chases Emirates Team NZ down the first reach in Round Robin 4, Race 1 ACEA / Photo Abner Kingman http://photo.americascup.com

Emirates Team New Zealand ran away to their biggest win of the Louis Vuitton Cup regatta with a 7m 19 second margin at the finish of Round Robin 4, Race 1 and has emerged as the winner of the Round Robin phase.

Commentators reported that after apparently hitting the bottom of the harbour just after launching, the Italian boat was re-hoisted and had her rudders checked. She looked uncomfortable at times during the race, manifested in a slow start when she started well after Emirates Team New Zealand crossing the line 21.4 kts, compared to the New Zealanders 30.5kts, and rounded the first mark a massive 21 seconds behind.

On the first downwind, sailing in winds said to be 16kts, the New Zealanders have a sailing demonstration of speeds in excess 37-38kts, although at times the speed differential between the two boats was not that great, depending on who was in the stronger puff in the breeze.



Even so, Emirates Team New Zealand had stretched away to a lead of 63 seconds, and a lead of 735 metres , at the bottom mark, indicating that they were able to sail better and deeper angles, as well as losing less speed with better executed foiling gybes than the Italians.

From there the Kiwi's cat stretched her legs, sailing higher and with similar speed, slowly building a lead over the Italians. Both boats worked the Alcatraz shore, before crossing to the Bayside out of the flooding tide. Emirates stretched to a lead of 1162metre at the top mark, before easing away into the bear away. Luna Rossa rounded 3minutes 29 seconds astern, with less than half the course sailed.

The wind increased to just under 20kts for the next run, with Emirates Team NZ now over 3400metres ahead of Luna Rossa as NZL5 rounded the bottom Mark 4, with a lead that was now over four minutes.


Upwind for the final time it was the familiar story of Emirates Team NZ picking the puffs, positioning their boat properly on the course, and sailing higher but with no speed advantage. The Kiwis picked the final layline to perfection, and rounded 1964 metres ahead, with a 6minute 22 second margin at the top - a gain of 2m 19 secs on the windward leg.

Now almost a full length of the course ahead - showing over 5000metres on Virtual Eye, the Italians had one of the best legs holding the Kiwis to a 42 second gain on the downwind leg.

At this point the margins became slightly confused with the Italians rounding the final mark 7 m 5secs astern and finishing 7m 19 back at the finish. At the time NZL5 crossed the finish line, hitting 39.4kts on the final reach, the Italians were still off Marina Green.


Probably not a lot can be read into the win, in the race which ran for almost an hour at 54m 13 secs. The Italians clearly had issues on board the boat and appeared to be nursing her at times. Also while they have clearly come off second best against the New Zealanders, they are the only Team to have raced against them.

From this win, Emirates Team NZ gained sufficient points to be unbeatable in the Round Robin, and now have the option of picking up more contested race practice in the Semi-Finals, or going straight through to the Finals of the Louis Vuitton Cup which start a week later on August 15.

All times and distances taken off real time data from Virtual Eye http://americascup.virtualeye.tv/!click_here to view - go to Historical Data to get a replay on each race sailed, or view Live. Requires Silverlight for the first use in a browser, which will download and install automatically.








Rooster 2025Armstrong 728x90 - HA Foil Range - BOTTOMBarton Marine Pipe Glands

Related Articles

J/105 North American Championship overall
Randy's Hecht's Niuhi three-peats as champion In the finale of the J/105 North American Championship, Randy Hecht claimed victory for the third time, with crew Russ Silvestri, Ethan Doyle, Maggie Bacon, David Janinis and Stephen Marsh.
Posted today at 3:26 am
New trophy for 2025 Six Metre Worlds
Presented by HM King Juan Carlos of Spain The Opening Ceremony for the 2025 International Six Metre Open and Classic World Championships saw the 29 participating teams from nine nations gather on the waterside lawn of the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club.
Posted today at 3:08 am
David Porter, King of Sydney Harbour in the 1970s
During one of the greatest eras in the 134-year history of the 18ft Skiff class During a 10-year career in the 18s from 1970-71 to 1979-80, inclusive, Dave Porter won the 1975 World Championship, three Australian and five NSW (State) championships as well as numerous club championships.
Posted today at 12:51 am
SailGP: Australia on top in Geneva- Day 1
The Flying Roos (AUS) top of the leaderboard, after the first day of racing in SailGP Switzerland. The Flying Roos sit on top of the leaderboard, after the first day of racing in SailGP Switzerland. This was the first test of the new light air foils, and three races were sailed, all completed within the time limits.
Posted today at 12:35 am
Another win for MACIF Santé Prévoyance
Sam Goodchild and Loïs Berrehar victorious in Défi Azimut Lorient Agglomération The British skipper Sam Goodchild, who was a key part of the crew on Biotherm that won The Ocean Race Europe, followed up with victory in the two-handed Défi Azimut - Lorient Agglomération 48 Hours race today.
Posted on 20 Sep
Team Malizia ends on a high
Boris Herrmann's team fourth in The Ocean Race Europe After five legs, over 4,500 nautical miles, and six weeks of intense offshore racing, The Ocean Race Europe 2025 concluded today in Boka Bay, Montenegro. Team Malizia delivered a strong performance, climbing the overall leaderboard to finish fourth.
Posted on 20 Sep
A podium finish for Holcim-PRB
Team showed drive, consistent performance and commitment in The Ocean Race Europe After six weeks of racing, Holcim-PRB sailed its final race of The Ocean Race Europe 2025 today in Montenegro. With a third-place finish in the coastal race in Boka Bay, the Swiss boat secured a spot on the podium, claiming the bronze medal.
Posted on 20 Sep
15th Défi Azimut - Acceleration and extension
Sleep? Dream on! The numerous videos posted by the OBRs (On-Board Reporters) on the Défi Azimut Lorient Agglomération server this morning testify to the infinite patience and the depth of talent required by the crews to make the Occidentale de Sein.
Posted on 20 Sep
Rooster Outlet deals during the boat show
More lines, more sizes, and bigger savings, even if you're not visiting Southampton The Southampton International Boat Show is officially underway, and we're excited to be there showcasing the latest Rooster kit alongside some unmissable deals. If you're visiting SIBS, make sure to come and see us at stand no W062.
Posted on 20 Sep
BONDS Flying Roos in pole position in Geneva
Day 1 of Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix The BONDS Flying Roos top the event leaderboard with 25 points after opening day in Geneva. All 12 international teams battled shifty, light conditions, with those able to stay up on the foils and nail the maneuvers finding themselves still in the hunt.
Posted on 20 Sep