Please select your home edition
Edition
C-Tech 2021 America's Cup 728x90 TOP

America's Cup Rialto: December 14 - A race at last - Practice Day 4

by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World NZ 14 Dec 2020 13:00 UTC 14 December 2020
Luna Rossa crosses ahead of American Magic - sailing downwind- America's Cup World Series Practice - Waitemata Harbour - December 14, 2020 - 36th Americas Cup © Richard Gladwell / Sail-World.com

After four days of practice racing, the four America's Cup teams finally managed to have a contested race - the first ever sailed in the AC75 class.

What should have been an historic moment came more as sense of relief. As the day turned out race organisers were lucky to get a race in at all.

As the teams left the inner Waitemata and headed for a new course area - Course A, off Auckland's North Shore, the northerly breeze looked set to settle and build onto a nice seabreeze, for which Takapuna is renowned.

The first race of the day, got underway at 1410hrs, between Emirates Team New Zealand and INEOS Team UK. While the prestart was keenly contested, INEOS Team UK was penalised for starting early (OCS) the British boat came off her foils and was unable to get back on her feet and could only watch the kiwis sail off. Fortuitously for the British, Emirates Team New Zealand failed to make it up the 1.7nm first leg within the required time limit of 12 minutes, and the race was abandoned.

The second race between Luna Rossa and American Magic, was a more spirited affair, after the clock restarted once, presumably due a minimum wind limit not being reached in the specified period.

The Italian emerged from the start with a small lead of under 4 seconds, and to windward of American Magic. Initially Luna Rossa covered the New York Yacht Club's entry. By the time the race had entered its second windward leg, Luna Rossa, with its twin helmsmen - Jimmy Spithill and Francesco Bruni began to sail their own race and extended further to achieve an 18second advantage at the end of the 1.7nm first leg, but that was cut to 12 seconds at the second mark.

Luna Rossa extended to a 39 second lead on Leg 3 upwind. American Magic held the margin to 39 secs at the finish - giving the Italians the honour of winning the first ever official race sailed in AC75's.

There didn't appear to be any passing lanes in the 7-8kt seabreeze and it is no surprise that American Magic could not find a way through the dark hulled Italian.

The reality is that the race was won at the start, with Spithill scoring another win over his old rival Dean Barker.

The next race was a rerun of the first between INEOS Team UK and Emirates Team New Zealand. Ben Ainslie got the UK boat across the start line just 2 secs after the New Zealanders. This time the British boat appeared to come of its foils shortly after the start, and was unable to lift off - leaving the kiwis to sail away, once again. This time the wind stayed up and the Kiwis were able to sail out the course.

The hapless British retired 10 minutes after the race start.

The third race of the day got into one start sequence with both USA and NZL incurring starting penalties.

Again they were saved from a penalty when the a minimum wind limit timer reset the start.

Around 5.30pm the breeze was not building and the teams hitched up the towlines and headed back to their respective bases, with the Italians and British being the first to head home, with the USA pulling out five minutes later and the Kiwis a minute after that.

There was no evidence on the water of any gear issues or breakdowns, and the lack of wind was the key issue for the teams and Race Committee, who performed admirably.

It always brings a small smile, to hear the voices of Iain Murray - who has had a long involvement in the Cup dating back to when he was a skipper in the 1987 Defence in Fremantle, and Mattie Mason, a four times America's Cup winner - who is laying/moving the windward mark. With that sort of expertise on the water you get the feeling that this regatta is in very good hands.

Ironically while the Pacific ocean side of the isthmus on which Auckland situated, had light to moderate north easterly winds, on the opposite Tasman Sea coast, an 18kt, gusting 25kt westerly breeze had been blowing all afternoon.

It didn't really make its presence felt until the AC75's entered Auckland Harbour - underscoring the point about sailing the America's Cup regattas on harbour courses, and for the delayed start time of 4.00pm (NZT).

The final Practice Race will be held tomorrow afternoon. The forecast is for more of the same.

Related Articles

America's Cup: Luna Rossa to sail for Naples club.
Italian Challenger Luna Rossa will contest the next America's Cup as the team of a Naples club. Italian Challenger Luna Rossa will contest its seventh America's Cup as the team of the Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia of Naples, as club that is new to the America's Cup. Posted on 10 Jul
America's Cup: French back "Kiwi" Protocol
K-Challenge tell Brits to sign Kiwi Protocol. Cup to be sailed before the end of 2025. Last weekend's missive from the French America's Cup challenge team is further evidence over the building frustration with progress towards the 2027 America's Cup in Naples. Posted on 6 Jul
K-Challenge gives opinion on proposed Protocol
Why the 38th edition could usher in a new era for the America's Cup Stephan Kandler and Bruno Dubois, Co-CEOs of K-Challenge, jointly stated: “The provisional Protocol published on 23 May 2025 by Defender Emirates Team New Zealand is an important step forward for the America's Cup." Posted on 4 Jul
America's Cup: Confidential settlement reached
(Updated) A confidential settlement reached over five year Cup legal claims. Confidential settlement reached between the America's Cup team Emirates Team New Zealand and their formerly contracted Event Managers, Mayo & Calder, and others associated with the company. But what of Mainstream Media's role in the affair? Posted on 29 Jun
America's Cup - #3 Finish Line
The Cup is still undecided. And somewhere, in one last simulation, the universe holds its breath. The Cup is still undecided. And somewhere, in one last simulation, the universe holds its breath. Step into the last leg. This is where legends break — or rise. Posted on 23 Jun
Cup Spy: "Burling Rule" unlikely to be changed
The Defender is unlikely to soften the Rules and allow open season on its sailing team. Despite the shift of three times America's Cup winner, Peter Burling it is understood that there is unlikely to be any softening of the Nationality rule to enable Burling to get any closer to the action than a chase-boat in the 38th America's Cup. Posted on 20 Jun
Burling "excited' by Italian move
In a media statement issued by his Media Team, Burling says he remains fully committed to his role w In a media statement issued by his Media Team, Burling says he remains fully committed to his role with Black Foils, the New Zealand SailGP Team. Posted on 20 Jun
America's Cup: Kiwis advertising for key people
Emirates Team NZ seeking new people for key roles ahead of its 12th America's Cup campaign Emirates Team New Zealand, the current America's Cup champion is gearing up for the 2027 Defence of the most prestigious trophy in sailing. The team has advertised eight positions in the IT, Meteorology and Engineering areas Posted on 12 Jun
America's Cup: Another sponsor signs for Italians
Luna Rossa has announced that Unipol has renewed its trust in the team Luna Rossa has announced that Unipol has renewed its trust in the team and will accompany it as an official sponsor for the duration of the 38th America's Cup. Posted on 5 Jun
America's Cup fillibustered by Challengers
A Cup in turmoil - Protocol is unsigned - with entries due to open on Sunday. Updated story: America's Cup got underway in Rome on Monday, with Round 2 of the official welcoming ceremonies on Wednesday in Naples. However three teams are working in collusion and have again issued statements within minutes of each other. Posted on 29 May
PredictWind - GO! exec 728x90 BOTTOMNorth Sails Loft 57 PodcastSwitch One Design