Spectacular conditions graced Barcelona on Sunday, attracting large crowds to the Fanzones and Race Village. The audience witnessed top-class racing in the dynamic AC75 yachts, as Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli and INEOS Britannia both scored double race wins, leaving them just one victory away from eliminating their opponents and securing spots in the Louis Vuitton Cup Final.
High Stakes for Alinghi and American Magic
In a competition where “There is no Second,” both Alinghi Red Bull Racing and NYYC American Magic face elimination if they lose even a single race tomorrow. The level of skill, technique, and technology displayed by the British and Italian teams has been nothing short of impressive on the crystal waters of Barcelona.
With winds gusting above 18 knots and speeds exceeding 50 knots (92.6 km/h), the best racing unfolded between Luna Rossa and American Magic. In their first race, Luna Rossa quickly gained the upper hand, capitalizing on American errors to win by 26 seconds.
Luna Rossa’s Dominance
In the second race, NYYC American Magic fought valiantly but fell short. Italian helmsman Francesco Bruni made a brilliant tactical decision in the final 100 meters of the last leg, clinching a narrow two-second victory and pushing American Magic to the brink of elimination.
Jimmy Spithill, skipper of Luna Rossa, praised his team’s performance, stating, “The boys did a very good job today. We knew we had to take steps forward after yesterday. It was good to come back out and put it all together.” He emphasized the importance of focusing on one race at a time, regardless of the scoreline.
American Magic’s Struggles
Tom Slingsby, helmsman for American Magic, acknowledged the challenges ahead. “We need to tidy up our mistakes,” he said. “If we weren’t making any mistakes, I’d say it’s as good as done. But the fact is we’ve made mistakes every single race.” Slingsby noted that improving their flight control system is crucial for their survival in the competition.
INEOS Britannia’s Near-Miss
INEOS Britannia continued their dominant performance, standing at 4-0 after two victories. Their first race against Alinghi nearly ended in a collision during the pre-start, but smart sailing from Sir Ben Ainslie allowed them to avoid disaster and sail to a 2-minute and 20-second win.
In the second race, INEOS Britannia demonstrated their power, extending their lead with a 48-second victory. Dylan Fletcher, port helm for INEOS, commented on the near-miss, saying, “I don’t ever want to be any closer!”
Hope for Alinghi
Maxime Bachelin, the young Swiss helm for Alinghi, remains optimistic despite the pressure. “We can make no mistakes anymore. The only way is forward,” he stated, emphasizing their fighting spirit as they prepare for tomorrow’s critical races.
What’s Next
Racing in the Louis Vuitton Cup Semi-Final resumes tomorrow at 14:00 CET, with up to two races per pairing. For the teams at 4-0 down, it promises to be a long night of analysis and strategy adjustments. Meanwhile, the British and Italian teams will focus on trusting their process and delivering the knockout blow.
