In the stunning and breezy conditions of Barcelona, INEOS Britannia and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli went head-to-head on the first day of the Louis Vuitton Cup Final, demonstrating just how closely matched these two teams are. With both teams securing a victory each in today’s two races, the series is off to an electrifying start.
The day’s races took place in a solid south-westerly ‘Garbi’ breeze, which at times exceeded the upper wind limit of 21 knots. This was survival sailing at its best, with sailors opting for double-board round-ups at the leeward gates and minimizing maneuvers throughout the eight-leg races. Speeds of over 52 knots on the bear-aways at the windward mark showcased top-tier match-racing between two of the world’s finest America’s Cup teams.
Race 1: Luna Rossa Takes the Lead
In the first race, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli came out of the gate with impressive speed and precision. The race was effectively decided at the start when a well-prepared Jimmy Spithill maneuvered the Italian AC75 back to the starting line, clear ahead and to windward of the British boat. This forced INEOS Britannia into an early tack shortly after the start.
From there, it was a case of the rich getting richer. Spithill and co-helmsman Francesco Bruni executed near-perfect tactical race-craft, establishing a lead of over 30 seconds. They maintained a loose cover over the British team, who struggled to find any opportunity to get back into the race. Luna Rossa secured a decisive 46-second victory, setting the tone for the day.
Race 2: INEOS Britannia Strikes Back
After a few delays due to the wind exceeding the upper limit, the second race commenced. This time, it was Sir Ben Ainslie and Dylan Fletcher who turned the tables on the Italians, starting fast and smart, leading back to the start line to leeward and ahead.
After an initial tack on the left-hand boundary, a bow-to-bow drag race back across to the right boundary saw INEOS Britannia establish a lead they held onto for the remainder of the race. Although Luna Rossa kept the pressure on, the British team sailed their own race, making the most of wind shifts and showing impressive deep downwind angles. They crossed the finish line 18 seconds ahead, shifting the momentum in their favor.
Reactions from the Teams
Jimmy Spithill, starboard helmsman of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, seemed unfazed by the pressure, stating: “We’ve known all along that these are two very evenly matched teams, and we expected a tough series. Today showed that both teams can win races. Performance-wise, there wasn’t much in it, but obviously, we’ll be checking on that tonight.”
Sir Ben Ainslie, skipper of INEOS Britannia, reflected on the day’s racing: “It’s hard to read the performance when both boats get in front—they did a good job of controlling the race, and it’s always a bit hard for the trailing boat in those situations. We made a few mistakes in that first race, so it was really important to come back with a win in the second.”
Looking Ahead: A Series on a Knife Edge
With the series tied after the first day’s action, all eyes are on the teams as they prepare to return to the water on Saturday, September 28, with lighter conditions forecast. If today’s races were any indication, this Louis Vuitton Cup series is set to be a fierce battle all the way to the end. The first team to score seven points will earn the right to challenge the Defender, Emirates Team New Zealand, in October’s Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup Match.
Whoever wins the Louis Vuitton Cup will undoubtedly be match-fit, ready to take on the Defender. This series promises to go down to the wire, with fans flocking to Barcelona to visit the Official Race Village and Fanzones at Plaça del Mar and Bogatell. With four more races scheduled this weekend, it’s shaping up to be an unmissable event.
