The wind eventually died down, allowing both teams to stage the classic gladiator match that has become synonymous throughout America’s Cup history.
The story before the thrilling second race later in the afternoon revolved around problems with Luna Rossa’s mainsail dowels, with numerous breaks penetrating the carbon fiber material of the port skins. The only request the Italians could make was to drop and replace the mainsail, and they called in a chase boat team to facilitate the change. Unfortunately for the Italians, the race committee’s wind speed sampling fell below 21 knots, and the opening race of the day was called “live.”
While INEOS Britannia officially prepared for the start, Luna Rossa was sitting on the right edge of the course with a bare pole. As the British athlete entered the starting box, referee Richard Slater disqualified the Italian for receiving outside assistance, giving victory to Sir Ben Ainslie’s team.
An hour later, with winds consistently exceeding the wind speed limits for the second race of the day, technicians boarded the Britannia to investigate a problem with the battens at the bottom of the J5 jib. A drama happened. Eventually the sails were asked to be partially lowered to resolve the issue.
The series was now 2-1 with the British team winning, and fireworks were expected from the Italians in the next race – the fourth leg of this 1st to 7th place series – and Luna from Port End. Rossa slowly made her way into the starting box, marking the beginning of a high-pressure race that challenged the sailors to their limits.
INEOS Britannia made her starboard edge approach on time at nearly 48 knots and immediately set about cornering Luna Rossa. The Italians were forced to take evasive action on the left, heading back down a long path across the starting box with the British close behind. On the leeward hip.
As the clock ticked down, Luna Rossa attempted a bear-away and jibe over Britain’s bow, a classic match-racing move, but INEOS Britannia quickly attempted to thwart this. protested. This was the first of several protests made by the British during the race, which were quickly dismissed by the judges.
From the start line Luna Rossa held a slight advantage, but it was enough to establish a lead that it would never relinquish throughout the eight legs of the race.
During the first two laps there were constant skirmishes between these two boats, with INEOS Britannia always on the offensive, putting the AC75 in an awkward position upwind and calling the referee several times as she fought to get the ‘get’. I couldn’t appeal to you. A ‘behind’ penalty would have given him an immediate 75m gain. The advanced telemetry used in this Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup means that referee decisions are based on highly accurate and incontrovertible data, but this It did little to allay the audible complaints of the rear guard.
Luna Rossa appeared to have built a comfortable lead at the end of the fifth leg, but Britain refused to accept defeat and continued to chip away at Italy’s lead. At the final windward gate, they were back within 6 seconds as the two crews began the final leeward leg. Once within range, the British launched a full force attack, but Luna Rossa covered smartly and wisely to maintain her lead, crossing the line at about 50 knots, only four seconds ahead of the pursuing British, and Louis・The score was tied in the Louis Vuitton Cup final series. 2 races each.
After four races, the Louis Vuitton Cup final remains in a tight spot, and with little to choose between these two teams, it looks like this series could go all the way. It’s anyone’s guess who will blink first, but whichever team wins, the most seasoned team will face Emirates Team New Zealand in the 37th Louis Vuitton America’s Cup match. There is no doubt that it will become.
Racing continues tomorrow, Monday September 30th, with two further races scheduled in similar conditions to today.
Text and images courtesy of America’s Cup. To read the full release, visit americascup.com.
