Please select your home edition
Edition
Allen Dynamic 40 Leaderboard

PATRIOT goes 2-0 on opening day of ACWS Auckland

by NYYC American Magic 17 Dec 2020 02:36 PST 17-20 December 2020
New York Yacht Club American Magic's AC75 PATRIOT crosses the finish line 12 seconds ahead of Emirates Team New Zealand on day 1 of ACWS Auckland © Sailing Energy / American Magic

New York Yacht Club American Magic, the U.S. Challenger for the 36th America's Cup, won both of its races on the opening day of the Prada America's Cup World Series Auckland. The four races held today were the first official contests for the AC75 class yachts. Thursday also marked the return of a New York Yacht Club-affiliated yacht to an America's Cup racecourse after a 18-year absence.

"You like to come off the racetrack with wins, and that's why we're here," said Andrew Campbell, (San Diego, Calif.), Flight Controller for American Magic, after the U.S. team was successful against both INEOS Team UK and Emirates Team New Zealand on Thursday. Campbell also stressed that PATRIOT, the team's AC75, remains a work in progress.

"The reality is that we have so much to learn between now and [the Prada Cup]. Watching how some of these other races went, it's really, really impressive what we [still] need to figure out. I know there are some big mistakes we made on the racetrack that we need to correct."

Race 2: American Magic vs. INEOS Team UK

The first race of the day for the U.S. Challenger saw a close start between INEOS Team UK's BRITANNIA, helmed by four-time Olympic gold medalist Ben Ainslie, and American Magic's PATRIOT. Prior to the prestart, word spread on the racecourse that the British boat was experiencing technical issues, and for a time their ability to race was in doubt.

Shortly before the designated start time for Race 2, BRITANNIA was cleared to compete by the team's on-the-water engineers. The black and silver yacht then joined Race 2 against American Magic by starting at the correct time, but without entering the starting box in compliance with the rules. This would lead to BRITANNIA being scored DNF in Race 2. Nevertheless, both teams proceeded with the race as the contest represented a valuable learning opportunity.

The British yacht tacked early off the start, and the U.S. AC75 performed a loose cover of BRITANNIA up the first beat. PATRIOT rounded in front at the first gate by 50 seconds. The Americans never looked back from that point, rounding every mark ahead as the British team later reported experiencing foil cant system issues.

Campbell emphasized the value of each AC75 racing experience at the post-race press conference on Thursday. "We were really pleased with how our boat managed to get around the track and we're going to go through a lot of maneuvers on a skinny track like [Course C]. That's the priority and making sure to keep the boat [up on the foils]. And that's a hard thing to do sometimes."

Race 4: American Magic vs. Emirates Team New Zealand

After winning their opening races, American Magic and ETNZ each entered Race 4 with a chance to go 2-0 on the day. Anticipation for the matchup was high for the teams, spectators and the global broadcast audience.

Helmsman Dean Barker and the 11-man team onboard PATRIOT timed their start perfectly, and were a few seconds ahead off the line. It soon become apparent that the two yachts were well matched in terms of speed, hitting speeds between 30 and 40 knots on the first upwind leg. PATRIOT rounded the first mark 15 seconds ahead of TE REHUTAI, and it was the first race of the day where two yachts had been in such close proximity.

With clean maneuvers and solid speed both upwind and downwind, PATRIOT maintained a lead of around 15-25 seconds between laps 2-5. However, on the final upwind leg (leg 5), the two teams engaged in a tacking duel. Maneuver by maneuver, TE REHUTAI clawed back into the race.

By the final windward gate, TE REHUTAI and PATRIOT were overlapped, with the kiwis getting to the zone first and scoring a penalty against PATRIOT. Barker and American Magic quickly cleared the penalty, and charged after ETNZ down the final run towards the finish. With clean gybes and a successful search for better pressure, PATRIOT regained the lead and held on for a 12-second win over the Defender of the America's Cup.

"Twelve seconds sounds like a lot, but it was more than I thought it was going to be on the racetrack," said Campbell. "[ETNZ] were definitely going well, so you know we've got a lot to learn on our program to make sure we're good enough to beat these guys on a regular basis, which is by no means guaranteed."

Coming Up:

For American Magic, Day 2 (Friday) of the Prada America's Cup World Series Auckland will feature two races (Race 5 and Race 7) against the Challenger of Record, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team from Italy.

Related Articles

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
America's Cup enthusiastically received in Naples
The Castel dell'Ovo, was the venue for the arrival of the America's Cup in Napes The Castel dell'Ovo, set on the tuft peninsula of Megaride was the outstanding setting for the Official Host Venue Presentation of the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup. Posted on 28 May
Italian PM welcomes America's Cup in Rome
Prime Minister Meloni set out a bold vision for the regeneration planned around AC38 The magnificent setting of the Casino del Bel Respiro, commissioned by Pope Innocent X in 1644, in the grounds of Villa Pamphilj, was the outstanding and historic setting for the formal presentation of the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup. Posted on 26 May
America's Cup: Big changes in crew line-up
Women and Youth crews to sail in AC75 in the next Cup - Final Draft of AC38 Protocol Historic changes are proposed in the Final Draft of the Protocol released by the America's Cup Defender. For the first time a Female and Youth crew members will be part of the six-crew lineup on board the all-electric AC75s. Posted on 23 May
Mackay Boats 728x90 BOTTOMHyde Sails 2024 - One DesignLloyd Stevenson - Catalyst GT 1456x180px BOTTOM