What did we learn on day 4 of the Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta - Barcelona?
by Mark Jardine 26 Aug 2024 00:56 AEST
25 August 2024
A big sea state and swell makes for better racing. Sunday provided us with the most exciting racing seen yet by a long, long way.
Tactical and boat handling errors were rife. It was clearly very tricky to sail the AC75s in these conditions and jib choice was critical.
Unwind VMG was shown a few times, which was another useful piece of information added for the viewer experience.
No names yet on the cockpit view, meaning it's still difficult to identify who we're looking at.
Emirates Team New Zealand vs. New York Yacht Club American Magic
In a tight but cagey pre-start, the US team matched the Kiwi's moves perfectly as they manoeuvred off their starboard quarter.
At the start the New Zealand team were forced to tack away early. Combined with a left shift, American Magic crossed by a hundred metres as they came together.
The US team calmly minimised their manoeuvres upwind and led comfortably, steadily increasing their deltas up to 50 seconds by Leeward Gate 4, before this was reduced to 28 seconds by the finish, but it felt like American Magic were backing off a bit in the swell to sail the boat safely once they had a comfortable lead.
There were fist-bumps all round on the American Coach Boat and Tom Slingsby said after the race: "We know we can do it. When we sail to our potential it's great, and it's nice to finish on a high."
Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli vs. Alinghi Red Bull Racing
A great start by Alinghi saw them hook Luna Rossa, pushing them over the start line early after coming in from high on starboard with pace. Luna Rossa then failed to come back down low enough when clearing the line, putting them 500 metres behind the Swiss team from the off.
At Windward Gate 1 Alinghi led by 34 seconds.
There was then a big mistake on the gybe by Alinghi going very high, losing grip on the rudder and falling of the foils. They got back foiling quickly, luffing Luna Rossa while the Italians were overtaking, giving Luna Rossa a penalty, forcing them to drop back 75 metres.
Alinghi lead by 9 seconds at Leeward Gate 2 with the teams choosing opposite buoys, but just 90 metres separate the boats so Luna Rossa was back in the game.
Alinghi tacked in front of Luna Rossa, forcing the Italians back on to starboard and keeping control of the right. The Swiss then fluffed a tack while the Italian team were sailing fast. Luna Rossa led at Windward Gate 3 by 12 seconds.
With the wind back up to 12 knots the race length was extended. The Italians led by 8 seconds at Leeward Gate 4. Luna Rossed tacked on Alinghi, forcing the Swiss to the left hand side. The Italians extended their lead to 13 seconds at Windward Gate 5.
Some superb downwind sailing on the final leg by Luna Rossa saw them win by 46 seconds.
Luna Rossa Coach Philippe Presti said during the race, "The sea state is super-challenging, and we haven't had it for a while."
This was the best match to watch of the event so far.
Orient Express Racing Team vs. INEOS Britannia
The French team came into the starting box late and deep along the line, due to approaching the entry early, putting them at the mercy of the British team, who handed them a penalty.
The Brits then threw this away, coming in from port, tacking and crossing the line early, having to duck to start, giving France the advantage. It was inexplicable tactics by INEOS Britannia, coming in from the dead-zone and then performing a down-speed start, combined with being over the line.
The French then covered the British like glue upwind for the first few tacks, leading at Windward Gate 1 by 16 seconds.
Downwind the British team crossed the French on starboard after Orient Express had a slow gybe. The teams battled closely to Leeward Gate 2, with the Brits rounding ahead by 11 seconds, with them both choosing different buoys.
With the wind dropping, the course was shortened to finish at Windward Gate 5. French Coach Thierry Peponnet said they had chosen the wrong jib (J3) and needed more power, fighting to keep the boat moving.
Despite a ragged leeward mark rounding, INEOS Britannia won by 48 seconds. It was a good match to watch, but it was riddled with tactical and handling errors.
Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta - Barcelona Final:
Emirates Team New Zealand vs. Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli
Italy pick up a penalty in the pre-start, crossing too close to New Zealand while on port tack.
At start time the Italians tacked on to port, with the Kiwis following suit to make it difficult for Luna Rossa to shake off the 75 metre penalty.
Emirates Team New Zealand covered Luna Rossa upwind, switching to a loose cover on the Windward Gate 1 layline to lead by 22 seconds.
Things got close again on the final upwind leg, with the Italians penalised twice in some super-right racing. Firstly when the Kiwis tacked in front of Luna Rossa, Italy failed to keep clear. Secondly when Italy tacked in front of New Zealand, and then were luffed, also failing to keep clear.
This proved decisive, with Emirates Team New Zealand winning the Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta - Barcelona.
After three mediocre days, the America's Cup came alive in Barcelona, and it's clear we as viewers want to pray for big seas to make the racing interesting.