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Barcelona, Spain (October 4, 2024) – After a maintenance day for the teams yesterday, INEOS Britannia topped Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli today in the Louis Vuitton Cup. The British team have secured their place in the 37th America’s Cup Match, where they will face the Defender Emirates Team New Zealand, with racing beginning on October 12.
It is has been 60 years since Great Britain had a yacht compete for the America’s Cup trophy in the final Match and what INEOS Britannia has achieved here, winning against the vastly experienced challenge of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, cannot be underestimated.
Needing one more win in the final three races, the Brits got it today on their first attempt, concluding their series over Italy 7-4. Over the first eight races there was nothing to separate the two yachts, but on the final two days of the series, INEOS Britannia found the boat positioning and speed to eke out the smallest of performance advantages that proved enough for them to win three straight races.
Today’s final race was a befitting culmination to the hard-fought, week-long, contest between the British and Italian crews. Despite meteorologist’s early pessimistic forecasts of light winds, the ‘Garbi’ south westerly breeze settled in just half an hour before the 1410 scheduled start time, delivering 12-15 knots and flat water – the ultimate speed test conditions for AC75 foiling monohulls.
At the start, fireworks were expected, but a standard trail-and-lead by Britannia – who had entered from the port end of the line – saw the British in a position to bear away down the line and start cleanly to leeward of the Italians which soon were forced to tack away.
A bow-to-bow sprint race to the right boundary saw the Italians gain a boat length back, and with it, snatch tactical positional advantage to come back on the right-of-way starboard tack, triggering an aggressive duel between the two boats, after Britannia tacked smartly on the Italians’ bow – a true signal of intent.
It was the first of many such lee bow and face-slam tacks from the British who were never headed throughout the race, but equally were never more than a few seconds ahead of the hard chasing Luna Rossa crew at any turning mark.
Downwind, Luna Rossa somehow negated the inherent speed advantage of the INEOS Britannia – perhaps by way of their choice of a one code larger headsail – and came back at the British time and again, as they searched to capitalize on any small mistake.
INEOS Britannia, though, fended off their Italian opponent relentlessly – gybing early around the windward marks to cover and then doggedly defending upwind, never letting their rivals get a sniff of leverage or any chance to close within striking range.
As the ‘Garbi’ conditions have proven throughout this regatta summer, getting to the right and defending has proven profitable, but by the last upwind leg Luna Rossa gambled everything out left – a move that proved decisive. INEOS Britannia picked up pressure in the upper right quadrant, made a boat length or more gain and came around the final windward gate with a nine second advantage and knowing that they were just a handful of gybes from a series victory.
The Italians kept pressing, however, splitting gybes on the final downwind and heading to the right, whilst INEOS Britannia bounced off the left boundary. As the two came back together mid-course, it was the final time that the British would allow a split as they gybed on the Italian line with a lead of just under 200 metres. It was enough to sail to the port layline and gybe before pointing the boat at the finish line for a historic victory.
Finishing with a final delta of 17 seconds, INEOS Britannia secured the Louis Vuitton Cup and in scenes of pure delight afterwards the British sailors celebrated a win that has been a long time in the making.
Sir Ben Ainslie, skipper and Team Principal acknowledged the moment, one of the finest in British sporting history: “It’s a huge moment for the team and we knew we were always going to be in for a massive battle against Luna Rossa – so hats off to them, they have been incredible competitors. To get to this point has taken 10 years of hard work so I am incredibly proud of the team.
“We have a long relationship with Luna Rossa – with Mr Bertelli, Max (Sirena), Jimmy (Spithill), Checco (Bruni) and the rest of the team – and there is a huge amount of respect there. They have been amazing competitors and they have a huge history in the Cup. I am sure that this is just one chapter in an ongoing battle between our two teams. For now, all I can say is thanks for the competition.”
Jimmy Spithill, starboard helm on Luna Rossa was magnanimous in defeat: “I just want to say well done to INEOS Britannia, to Ben [Ainslie] and his team, just an awesome effort. They started that team I think a decade ago, and to bounce back and win having got so close last time when we knocked them out, and then today they were the better team. I thought we had a great boat and it’s difficult to really put into words, but all I can do is just thank all of my teammates and clearly congratulate the team for doing such an awesome job.”
Viewing details – Race information – Results – Weather forecast
Following the publication of the AC37 Protocol and AC75 Class Rule on November 17, 2021, the AC75 Class Rule and AC Technical Regulations were finalized on March 17, 2022. The entry period was from December 1, 2021 until July 31, 2022, but late entries for the 37th America’s Cup could be accepted until May 31, 2023. The Defender was to announce the Match Venue on September 17, 2021 but postponed the reveal, finally confirming Barcelona on March 30, 2022. The 37th America’s Cup begins October 12, 2024.
Teams revealed to challenge defender Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL):
• INEOS Britannia (GBR)
• Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI)
• Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team (ITA)
• NYYC American Magic (USA)
• Orient Express Racing Team (FRA)
2023-24 Preliminary Regattas
September 14-17, 2023 (AC40): Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain
November 30-December 2 (AC40): Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
August 22-25, 2024 (AC75): Barcelona, Spain
2024 Louis Vuitton Cup Challenger Selection Series*
August 29-September 9: Double Round Robin
September 14-19: Semi Finals (Best of 9)
September 26-October 7: Finals (Best of 13)
*Team New Zealand competes in the round robin stage only, but the results of their races were not included in the challenger leaderboard.
2024 America’s Cup
October 12-27: 37th Match (Best of 13)
For competition details, click here.
Additionally, 12 teams will compete in the Youth America’s Cup and Women’s America’s Cup.
Noticeboard: https://ac37noticeboard.acofficials.org/
Event details: www.americascup.com/en/home
Source: ACE, Scuttlebutt https://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2024/10/04/great-britain-wins-louis-vuitton-cup/