British are top challenger, French exit and Team NZ’s last win in America’s Cup dramas

Tuesday, 10 September 2024

Stuff's Todd Niall analyses the America's Cup's round-robin stages as the French were eliminated and Britannia upset Luna Rossa.

All America's Cup races and coverage will be live and free on stuff.co.nz, Three and ThreeNow.

After a one-day postponement due to a storm, then a lack of wind, France’s Orient Express has been eliminated on the final day of the Louis Vuitton Cup knockout series.

A shock followed in the next race of the America’s Cup on Tuesday (NZ time) when top challenger Luna Rossa had a foil arm fail before the start and was disqualified. It created a tie at the top of the table, and the Italians had to sail a tie-breaker at the end of the day against INEOS Britannia.

Race Four: INEOS Britannia vs Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli

Like a re-run of the British team’s first race, they kept their speed up towards the startline while the Italians accelerated after slowing down, and INEOS Britannia edged ahead and continued to build from there.

From a 33sec lead at the half way mark, the British continued to extend to 49 at the fourth.

INEOS Britannia won a tie-breaker against Luna Rossa, to top the challenger table

It was a rare day of weakness for Luna Rossa, which blamed the early failure on the “one design” foil-arm system, and then narrowly losing the start in the tie-break.

INEOS Britannia can now choose who it wishes to sail against in the semifinal.

Race Three: Emirates Team New Zealand vs NYYC American Magic

The American boat Patriot had Lucas Calabrese at one helm, due to a confirmed fall injury sidelining Paul Goodison.

Team New Zealand won its final race against the challengers, comfortably ahead of American Magic.

Patriot went off its foils before the pre-start and was penalised to being late into the start box, having to concede 75m to the defender, but closing to just 7sec at the first mark, and in shifty winds were 22sec behind at the halfway mark.

American Magic seemed to struggle more in light winds and after struggling through the fourth gate were 1min 21 sec in arrears, and after going off their foils on the fifth leg, it was 2min 22sec at gate five, and 2min 37sec at the finish .

Orient Express trailed all the way and are out of the America's Cup regatta.

Race Two: Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli vs Alinghi Red Bull Racing

The Italian team’s disqualification gifted a third win to the Swiss who were at one point at risk of elimination.

A distraught crew member after Orient Express was eliminated from the Cup.

Race One: Orient Express vs INEOS Britannia

After a frantic return to base on Monday (NZ time) for major repairs after a nose dive, Orient Express just made it to the course in time for its race to be called off. That race began sailing on Tuesday (NZ time).

Early towards the line the French slowed slightly but the British kept the speed up and moved ahead, to lead by 25sec at the top mark.

On the downwind leg sailing in different parts of the course INEOS Britannia built a big 600m lead, out to 47sec at the second gate.

Officials shortened the course as the wind faded, but the gap remained constant as both teams stayed up on their foils, though a touchdown by the French put them further behind. At the finish, the winning margin was 1min 11sec and the French became the first to be eliminated.

Louis Vuitton Cup (challenger series) day eight results:

Race 28: Britannia beat Orient Express

Race 29: Alinghi beat Luna Rossa (disqualified)

Race 30: Team NZ beat American Magic

Challenger decider: Britannia beat Luna Rossa

Final standings: Team NZ 8, Britannia 7, Luna Rossa 7, American Magic 4, Alinghi 3, Orient Express 1.

Challenger leaderboard: Britannia 7 (winner), Luna Rossa 6, American Magic 4, Alinghi 3, Orient Express 1.