Please select your home edition
Edition
Mackay Boats 728x90 TOP

Who's going to not blink first?

by Mark Jardine 12 Mar 2021 21:40 PST 10-17 March 2021
America's Cup match day 3 - Emirates Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli gybe in the pre-start of race 5 © ACE / Studio Borlenghi

It's becoming abundantly clear that in this America's Cup if you win the start then you go a long way to winning the race. The 20-odd minutes of racing when you fluff it must feel like a lifetime, knowing you've effectively lost the race with one poor decision in the two minutes available after entering the start box.

Time on distance becomes paramount when both boats line up on their final approach for the start line. Combined with that is positioning to ensure you're coming into the line at the right angle, giving you options against your opponent.

In light winds the 'hook' is out of the question. If you drop to leeward of an AC75 then the wind shadow is huge, so it's all about finding your line in a split second, giving yourself those options and, most critically, not falling off the foils.

In race five the Kiwis fell into the trap of being high and early, having to lose too much speed, dropping into displacement mode and losing the start. You could hear the panic in Blair Tuke's voice as they approached the start line. He knew it was 20 minutes of pain ahead for him, his long-time sailing partner and helmsman Peter Burling, and the entire Emirates Team New Zealand crew, the wider team out on the water and ashore and every single Kiwi watching the race.

There's no doubt the defender's AC75 is fast. Gains were being made on the upwind legs, despite having their course dictated to them by Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, and having to live in their dirty wind for long periods of time - you simply can't do that in a slow boat.

With the Virtual Eye coverage we're given all the statistics and Emirates Team New Zealand is faster and their VMG is higher, but if you're behind and don't have a high mode then you're forced to sail further. Luna Rossa's winning margin was 18 seconds, which is nothing when you take into consideration that the Kiwis sailed 1500 metres more than the Italians.

Francesco Bruni said in-between races, "We have the more flexible package. Emirates Team New Zealand seem to be forced to sail higher numbers. We have a high mode, we have a fast mode."

So, the momentum swung once again back to Luna Rossa, but could they make it stick and take a 4-2 lead at the end of the day?

In the race six pre-start Emirates Team New Zealand called for the tack whereas Luna Rossa went for a gybe in a light wind spot as they lined up for their final approach. This proved key with the Kiwis rolling over the Italians who were struggling to reach the line. Burling nailed the time on distance to take a massive lead. From here it was plain sailing for the defenders to win by 1 minute 41 seconds and even up the score again.

Both winners today had starboard entry into the start box, going against the port entry winners from the previous days' winners... that's another theory out the window.

It's been discussed how the America's Cup is Formula One on water. If that's the case then this edition is akin to the Monaco Grand Prix, where passing lanes are like hen's teeth. In Formula One the start is decided in qualifying, placing the fastest cars and drivers at the front of the grid. In the America's Cup one crucial decision in those two minutes before the start can make or break a race, which is exactly what we've seen so far.

Due to this we're witnessing an America's Cup where the fastest boat may not win.

An oft-used phrase in sport is who's going to blink first, but we've seen both Peter Burling and Jimmy Spithill blink repeatedly. Their eyes may be hidden by their goggles, but the question is who's going to not blink for an entire race day and take the advantage in this match up, or is it going to go all the way to race 13?

Related Articles

Globe40 and La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec
A look at the Globe40 and the La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec It's always an encouraging sign when a round-the-world race begins its second edition, especially when the steeds in question are approachable boats for most serious sailors. Posted on 9 Sep
You just gotta love a good algorithm
So, I opened up YouTube, and there it was. Could not believe my luck, actually. So, I opened up YouTube, and there it was. Could not believe my luck, actually. The algorithm had coughed up something I really wanted to watch. Yes, I know it means Big Brother is watching and listening.Also, every key stroke is being recorded. Posted on 7 Sep
Carbon or Steel?
Moth Foil Evolution with Alex Adams Foils have been shrinking for years as sailors continually try to reduce drag and increase speeds, but designers were reaching the limit of what they could do with carbon, so the latest foils have turned to steel for some parts. Posted on 7 Sep
Unboxing the Bieker Moth with Kyle Stoneham
A look 'below decks' at the hidden control systems on Kyle's International Moth Why are all the ropes hidden on all the latest International Moths? It's all about aerodynamic efficiency as the boats get faster and faster. As we find out with Kyle, there are also some very clever systems under the carbon covers. Posted on 6 Sep
The Age of Steel in the Land of Rock
The International Moth class is never standing still This week the Moths have gathered in Torquay at the Royal Torbay Yacht Club for the UK Championship, and the discussion is all about steel. Posted on 3 Sep
From vision to reality
The XR 41's journey from sketch to World Champion In 2023 I took part in my first X-Yachts Gold Cup at Aarhus in Denmark. It was a glorious event, balancing fun and competition perfectly, and was a weekend where new friendships were formed with sailors who I continue to chat with regularly. Posted on 2 Sep
Why we need VMG and VMC
On The Ocean Race Europe Tracker The Ocean Race Europe Tracker has just had an update thanks to PredictWind, and now looks at routing for the boats, but it doesn't yet have VMG or VMC. Posted on 27 Aug
Sail now, and sail often
Some thoughts on capturing as much sailing time as possible I'll admit it had been too long. Way too long, if I'm being honest. Posted on 26 Aug
Yet more 'F' word
One of the enduring joys of this gig is circling back One of the enduring joys of this gig is circling back. This is no more especially so than when you get to see the plan unfold. Posted on 25 Aug
Dale Dunning on the TBird PNW Championship Regatta
Dale Dunning discusses the 2025 Thunderbird PNW Championship Regatta While there are plenty of different boats that are actively raced on Pacific Northwest waters, few designs are as regionally classic—or as regionally respected—as the “T-Bird”. Posted on 20 Aug
Mackay Boats 728x90 BOTTOMDoyle_SailWorld_728X90px_SY BOTTOMSelden 2020 - FOOTER