‘Bring on the Kiwis’: Britannia beat Luna Rossa in challenger final to reach America's Cup match

Saturday, 5 October 2024

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Britannia skipper Sir Ben Ainslie was thinking about Team New Zealand, only seconds after clinching their place in the America’s Cup match race for the first time in 60 years.

The emotion onboard the British boat was profound after seeing off the gallant Italian challenge of Luna Rossa in a fiercely contested Louis Vuitton Cup final in Barcelona on Saturday (NZ time).

Crossing the finish, cyclor Freddie Carr rose to his feet in the cockpit and punched both arms in the air with a loud “yes”.

There were also some expletives and Ainslie’s co-helmsman, Dylan Fletcher, yelled “yes, lads, we’re going to the Cup”.

Fletcher also said “bring on the Kiwis” from the AC75 boat that the team’s wealthy backers, INEOS and billionaire owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, hope will win the Auld Mug for Britain for the first time.

“It felt really good for about 30 seconds, then we started thinking about the America’s Cup, the next battle,” Ainslie said.

The Louis Vuitton Cup was presented to Britannia in Barcelona’s Cup village in a low-key ceremony, but the genuine celebrations were on the British boat, albeit briefly. The crew soon reverted to the laser focus of elite sport, thinking only of the looming test against Team NZ.

Ratcliffe nervously stepped onboard to celebrate the silverware with the champagne-soaked crew. There was a brief moment that could have spelt disaster for the British billionaire, as he wobbled in planting his feet when lining up for the photo opportunity.

“He's got his sea legs slowly,” Ainslie said.

“He's someone who loves the ultimate challenge. It doesn't get any tougher than the America's Cup.

“That's the attraction for him. He was really proud of the team. Like the rest of us, he wants to go one step further.”

Needing just one more race victory in a close duel that began last Friday (NZ time), the Brits hit the golden mark of seven wins to beat Luna Rossa to earn the challenger’s place in next weekend’s race for the Auld Mug against the Kiwi defenders.

They have been more reliable than the Italians in navigating the unpredictable, changing conditions of Barcelona’s seas and were almost faultless after grabbing the crucial lead in the first leg. Luna Rossa were only metres behind, but Britannia’s defence was steady.

There was silence among the devastated Italian crew at the finish. The finalists from the last Cup in Auckland will have to wait until its next edition to succeed for the first time after their sixth failed challenge.

No nation, however, has had more unsuccessful challenges in the Cup’s history than Great Britain. Since losing to the famed New York Yacht Club in its first edition in 1851 by the Isle of Wight, no British team has held the giant, old trophy.

Their challenge has strengthened throughout the Barcelona regatta and defeating the impressive Italians will give them enormous belief for the match race.

They also gained revenge for their loss to Luna Rossa at the same stage in Auckland three years ago.

Ainslie paid tribute to the Italians and their retiring helmsman, Jimmy Spithill. He also praised everyone he could who’s been involved with the British team, from the sailors to the designers and shore crew.

“It was a big moment for the team, and particularly the cyclors,” Ainslie said.

“Those are the guys really laying down the physical power. It's natural they get emotional with that release of physical energy.”

Ainslie, the most decorated sailor in Olympic history, won the Cup with Oracle Team USA in 2013 but also launched a British team in 2012. INEOS’ considerable financial backing was a welcome addition in 2018.

The biggest test of all against Team NZ, who have won the Cup’s last two editions, is what he and the British team have wanted.

“Pretty quickly we know we've got to get our heads into gear,” Ainslie said.

“In a week we've got the ultimate challenge versus Team New Zealand.”

Here’s how Britannia’s final race with Luna Rossa unfolded in Barcelona.

The deciding Louis Vuitton Cup final race

The British and Italian boats left the harbour with a predicted wind speed of five knots, below the 6.5 average needed for racing, but the green light was given to begin on time, the breeze between eight and 15 knots.

They were close together over the start line and Britannia cut across the Italians in the first leg, a fair move according to the umpires, despite Luna Rossa’s protest.

The British built a solid lead to 10sec through the first mark and Luna Rossa fell further behind because of a light splashdown, the boat speeds cracking 40 knots.

The teams winning the start normally win the race, leaving Luna Rossa on the brink of elimination and relying on Britannia to faulter.

The Italians gained on the British after the fourth of eight legs and were metres behind them after they both diverted their lines across the course, Britannia’s lead dropping to just 4sec after the fifth mark.

Luna Rossa continued to chase but were 9sec back after the final mark and Britannia regained control to win the challenger final 7-4.

The Cup’s 37th match race between Team NZ and Britannia is scheduled to start next Sunday (NZ time).

The last British challenge in a decider for the Auld Mug was in 1964 when the Sovereign team lost to American syndicate Constellation in Newport, Rhode Island.

Louis Vuitton Cup final

– Britannia 7-4 Luna Rossa