America’s Cup: New Zealand extends lead over Britain, Italy wins women’s event

Emirates Team New Zealand extended their dominance in the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup Match this weekend, securing a 3-0 lead against Challenger INEOS Britannia. Despite light winds and tricky conditions in Barcelona, the Kiwis executed a flawless performance to increase the pressure on their British rivals.

The highly anticipated race, watched by King Felipe VI from the Spanish aircraft carrier Juan Carlos I, started under conditions marked by scattered pressure patches yielding wind speeds up to 11 knots. However, the easterly breeze, as forecast, slowly diminished over the afternoon. Emirates Team New Zealand, with a 2-0 overnight lead, capitalised on their strong position from the outset.

In the pre-start phase, the Kiwis forced a critical penalty on INEOS Britannia after a tightly contested manoeuvre. Entering the start box on a port gybe, the British attempted to position themselves behind the New Zealanders. However, with Emirates Team New Zealand holding right-of-way on starboard, INEOS Britannia were too slow to yield, resulting in a penalty. The decision by chief umpire Richard Slater pushed the British back 75 metres after the start.

⚔️ almost crossed. Full match racing action in the pre-start#AC37 #AmericasCup pic.twitter.com/tho4PCpKkC

— INEOS Britannia (@ineosbritannia) October 13, 2024

Helmed by Sir Ben Ainslie and Dylan Fletcher, INEOS Britannia quickly expended the penalty but struggled to recover. The Kiwis, led by helmsmen Peter Burling and Nathan Outteridge, covered their opponents relentlessly throughout the race. Emirates Team New Zealand’s superior boat handling, particularly in their tacks and gybes, allowed them to stretch their lead steadily over the 27-minute contest.

The race was marked by delicate flight control as the wind dropped to seven knots, and the Kiwis showcased their technical advantage in difficult conditions. Their smooth manoeuvres and speed out of transitions, coupled with an expert ability to read the course’s unpredictable wind shifts, resulted in a 52-second victory.

Reflecting on the race, Nathan Outteridge, port helmsman for Emirates Team New Zealand, expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance: “We’ve done a lot of work on the performance of the boat and also how we sail it in the manoeuvres. Very happy to get the win, and it always helps when your nose is in front off the line.”

Despite the loss, Ainslie says he remains resolute: “It might look like there’s a big gap in performance, but I don’t think it’s actually that big, and we know that we can still make gains.” He emphasised the need for the team to keep pushing, particularly in refining the team’s upwind technique and sail trim.

As the series moves into the crucial stages, INEOS Britannia will be searching for any opportunity to turn the tide. The first crew to reach seven points will claim the 173-year-old trophy, but with the race history of surprise comebacks, nothing is guaranteed.

Luna Rossa wins inaugural Women’s America’s Cup

In a historic moment for women’s sailing, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli claimed victory in the first-ever Puig Women’s America’s Cup, defeating Britain’s Athena Pathway in a closely contested final. The race, held between the men’s America’s Cup races, showcased top-tier match racing as both teams battled fiercely over six legs.

The Italians, led by skipper Giulia Conti and co-helm Margherita Porro, overcame a nervous start but quickly seized control, gaining crucial metres early on and never relinquishing their lead. Their British rivals, skippered by Hannah Mills, remained a constant threat, narrowing the gap at several points during the race, but were unable to find an opportunity to pass.

Tactically, the Italians excelled in maintaining control of the racecourse. They navigated the pressure from the British crew with calm precision, particularly in critical moments such as the final upwind leg, where a brief misstep could have provided Athena Pathway with a chance to break through. Despite splitting tactics, the British team found no passing lanes and ultimately finished just eight seconds behind Luna Rossa.

Celebrations erupted onboard the Italian AC40 after the finish, with Luna Rossa adding the Women’s America’s Cup to their earlier triumph in the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup. The significance of the win was not lost on the team, as trimmer Maria Giubilei remarked: “I’m super happy and proud of the team – this is just a wonderful feeling…I hope this will inspire people to follow their dreams and live the life they want to lead.”

Reflecting on the victory, Giubilei also looked forward to the future of female participation in the sport: “I think it would be great for women at some point if there was not a race just for us but we were mixed in with all the other sailors.”

Athena Pathway’s skipper Hannah Mills, though disappointed, remained focused on the broader mission of her team. “We couldn’t quite get back at the Italians… But we’ve delivered on our goal to inspire young girls in sailing,” she said, highlighting the importance of creating opportunities for women both on the water and in shoreside roles.

Luna Rossa’s victory marks a significant milestone in the history of women’s sailing, and the competitive spirit displayed by both teams bodes well for future editions of the event.

As the women’s competition concluded, attention shifts back to the men’s Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup Match, with racing set to continue this afternoon.