INEOS Britannia, the Challenger of Record racing for the Royal Yacht Squadron Ltd in the 37thAmerica’s Cup, kicked off the Louis Vuitton Cup (Challenger Selection Series) with a win against its oldest rivals, New York Yacht Club American Magic.
The America’s Cup first started 173 years ago with a race between Great Britain and the USA around the Isle of Wight. The Brits lost to the Americans, and a British team has never won the event since. Today, Ben Ainslie’s team INEOS Britannia, embarked on their mission to create history and be the first British crew to win the America’s Cup, which is the oldest international sporting trophy in the world.
It was the first race for the British team with skin in the game and a point up for grabs, and with the pre-start held in a patchy 5-8 knots of easterly wind it was a high-pressure opener. INEOS Britannia came away with that precious point on the board after American Magic dropped off the foils just after gybing back to enter the starting box.
In the light breeze that was always going to have major consequences. The Americans struggled to get the boat flying again, only succeeding after the start gun had gone. They were then handed another blow, a penalty for crossing the start line early, which meant they had to loop back and re-start, and by then the British boat was 700m ahead.
The advantage to Ben Ainslie and his crew was just over a minute at the first gate. A lap later it was 59 secs, but the Americans came back into it on both of the next two downwind legs, riding the puffs. By the start of the last upwind leg there was a 15 degree wind shift and American Magic was closing the gap, but INEOS Britannia continued pushing and maintained their lead on the final leg to secure the win, despite tricky conditions with the breeze dropping and being horribly patchy.
INEOS Britannia Team Principal and Skipper Sir Ben Ainslie said: “It’s great to get a point on the board on the first day of racing, but the Americans did a good job getting back in the race after that start so we will definitely be looking at how we allowed them to close that gap and how we can improve on that. The team worked really hard to keep the boat flying in those tricky conditions and to also stay focused despite us having the lead. As always in the America’s Cup, you’re never comfortable until you cross that finish line first.”
Elsewhere, Orient Express Racing Team (FRA) won their opening race against Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI) after an aggressive starting strategy got them the left-hand end of the line. It was the right choice, and they were ahead when the boats came back together for the first time. The French team, who were considered the underdogs of the event, extended from there to take the point. The race between Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli (ITA) and Emirates Team New Zealand was just for bragging rights as the Defender’s races do not count in this Challenger series. The Kiwis took the win but required a dramatic third leg passing move to do it. The day improved for Italy in the final race, with a straight-forward win over the French.
The Louis Vuitton Cup (Challenger Selection Series) determines which of the five challenging teams, INEOS Britanna (GBR), Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI), Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli (ITA), Orient Express Racing Team (FRA) or New York Yacht Club American Magic (USA), will face Defender Emirates Team New Zealand in the 37th America’s Cup Match.
The series received the royal seal of approval as His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain, himself a keen sailor having raced in the Soling Class at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, attended the first day of the double Round Robin stage on Thursday.
The Round Robins continue 30 August from 13:00 BST (14:00 CEST). INEOS Britannia faces Defender Emirates Team New Zealand and UK viewers can watch the action live on TNT Sports. The double Round Robin stage of the Louis Vuitton Cup (Challenger Selection Series) will take place until 8 September when all teams would have raced each other twice. The team with the least points from the stage will be eliminated, with the four remaining teams progressing to the Louis Vuitton Cup Semi-Final. Two teams will then battle it out in the Louis Vuitton Cup Final with the winner securing a place in the 37th America’s Cup Match.
