A Highly Competitive Regatta
– Challenges and expectations of the participating teams –
When Vilanova i La Geltrú begins tomorrow, the six America’s Cup teams will compete in AC40 boats during eight fleet races, which promises to be a busy start line, where finding and maintaining a good lane from the start will be crucial . Let us remember that the AC40’s are a smaller variant of those used in the America’s Cup (AC75) and are unique design boats, also called “One Design”.
Ahead of this weekend’s regatta, some of the teams competed in a first practice event to evaluate race management, media and technology in mid-August. This was the first time the AC40s competed competitively in this Copa America cycle. The practice event gave us an insight into their performance and will be followed by another practice racing event later this week, involving all teams. Although these races are not an accurate assessment, they are key to getting some early clues before Vilanova i La Geltrú. It is evident from the action on the water that all teams are taking these races seriously and evaluating their speed and technique. The tactical position of the boats will be everything, while maintaining a 100% flight time will be crucial and for the best foiling sailors in the world, none of whom want a bad start to the race, the competition will be very close.
To watch the regatta: You can do so via the America’s Cup website or on its YouTube channel, both are free.
Competitor Analysis
Emirates Team New Zealand
The simple fact that the New Zealanders took delivery of the first available AC40 and enjoyed its first sailing on 20 November 2022, as well as being the defenders of the 37th America’s Cup, places the team firmly as the go-to team to win Peter Burling has formed a great helming duo with Nathan Outteridge, while the team has adopted a consistent policy of assignment in its Flight/Trim Controllers team with Blair Tuke and Andy Maloney regularly sailing both the AC40 and AC75.
Training of two AC40 boats in Auckland concluded at the end of May 2023, with the established team being strongly challenged by Josh Junior and Leo Takahashi, where they explored some aggressive moves at the start, attempting to get the other boat to fall off the foils. with aggressive approaches in the sequence prior to the start. After the trip from New Zealand, the Kiwis have alternated between training in AC40 and AC75, perfecting their hull-to-wind technique upwind and low-VMG sailing downwind. They are the team to beat and will be under scrutiny from the start.
INEOS Britannia
A productive winter of training in Palma saw the emergence of Giles Scott as a standout helmsman, most likely paired with team leader Ben Ainslie. The addition of International Moth World Champion Dylan Fletcher-Scott brought more power and competence to the crew selection process, while Ben Cornish greatly impressed in test scenarios in both his LEQ12 T6 prototype and the AC40.
The team’s concentration has been on the development of their AC75 racing boat, nicknamed ‘RB3’, but this is a very talented team, as they demonstrated in the races leading up to the event against the Kiwis. Ainslie’s competitiveness permeates the entire team, Giles Scott’s great talent is undeniable and on race days they are capable of matching anyone. The reduced sailing time on the AC40 might be its disadvantage, but the British have shown that when it matters, they can deliver. Vilanova i La Geltrú will provide them with a great opportunity to perfect their foiling sailing technique, and as a Challenger of Record with an incredible team of coaches and resources, they are an important team to follow.
Luke Parkinson put it bluntly when he mentioned that the team had not done enough racing and sailing in the AC40, and for Challenger of Record, it has been a difficult few days in practice racing. At times brilliant, Ben Ainslie’s start has been world class, but poor execution of manoeuvres, especially in downwind, has cost them dearly. However, this is a team with excellent coaches and sailors who learn quickly, and there is no more dangerous sight in world sailing than Ben Ainslie when he is in an unfavorable position, remember his performance in Sydney 2000. Giles Scott is a super sailor fast with a lot of experience at the highest level of foiling. While the team has a lot of experience to attract attention also in terms of trimmers. They could be a surprise and do very well this weekend.
NYYC American Magic
A team that had a great winter training season in Pensacola, Florida, coupled with the addition of Tom Slingsby, the undisputed superstar of the foiling generation, has taken NYYC American Magic to the top of the rankings . The rise of Paul Goodison as coxswain, a three-time International Moth World Champion in his own right (Slingsby has two world titles), has led the Americans to carry out extensive testing of two AC40 boats at an accelerated pace. But it’s the depth of his team that impresses most. Lucas Calabrese, Andrew Campbell, Riley Gibbs, Michael Menninger and the next generation in Harry Melges and Severin Gramm who have been pushing hard to be part of the starting team at Vilanova i La Geltrú. Keeping the team honest and with a deep focus on data. In the pre-event races against Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, the team impressed with a top-notch boat position, great speed and great downwind technique. They should have a very good regatta, with high expectations.
The Americans opted to sit out the first few days of the recent practice regatta, preferring to complete their aero and foil testing program. But when they hit the racetrack, they were sensational. Without a doubt, this is the team to beat with Tom Slingsby, Olympic gold medalist, and Paul Goodison, three-time World International Moth Champion, looking like the best pairing in this America’s Cup cycle. They have been able to sail upwind in a “high mode” plus a very low flight. His ability is also reflected in downwind with a relentless pace. American Magic seems to be the real deal with so many hours of practice under his two-boat training history in the AC40 and his technique in all conditions is impressive. Many people choose them as favorites to win in Vilanova.
Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli
The team with an abundance of talent at the helm, has enjoyed the most impressive winter training from their base in Cagliari using their LEQ12 (development prototype of the AC75). They have looked very competitive during their training at AC40 in Barcelona. Jimmy Spithill and Francesco Bruni are the favorite helmsmen, bringing their AC36 experience to the Preliminary Regatta, but Marco Gradoni and Ruggero Tita have excelled in both the LEQ12 and the AC40.
In the race tests prior to the event, the Italians were precise on the water with excellent calculation of time, distance, great flight control and sail adjustment. Despite their obvious focus on development with their LEQ12 and Jimmy Spithill’s insistence that they are the underdogs in recent interviews, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli is expected to excel at Vilanova i La Geltrú and will take advantage of all their experience and training. They are the team to follow without a doubt.
Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli is the team that everyone is watching closely and carefully. Not afraid to adopt navigation modes very different from others, the Italians have a plan for each scenario and have shown incredible navigation speed. Their outings have not been consistently good but when they make a mistake, they are quick to change tactics. Francesco Bruni is the perfect complement to Jimmy Spithill’s unpredictable genius and competitiveness, while his Flight Control team of Vittorio Bissaro and Andrea Tesei is arguably the best on the water. If the Italians can achieve some consistent results early on, they could easily reach the match-race final.
Alinghi Red Bull Racing
Arguably the most exciting and dynamic team to watch in this America’s Cup cycle. They have been on the steepest learning curve since the launch of their campaign in August 2022. Arnaud Psarofaghis has proven to be an outstanding team leader and has formed excellent bonds with both Maxime Bachelin and Nicholas Charbonnier. While the coaching of Dean Barker, Pietro Sibello, Phil Robertson and Jason Waterhouse has propelled the team forward. Bryan Mettraux and Yves Detrey have been sensational in the Flight Control and tuning positions and will be key to success. The team’s two-boat training in the AC40s has been exciting to watch and this is a team full of youthful enthusiasm combined with experience within the team that could excel in the race.
Alinghi Red Bull Racing has positively surprised in the practice regattas. The Swiss are increasingly comfortable leading the fleet when they are ahead, while their tenacity to recover when they are behind is impressive. Boat handling can still improve, but the team has made significant strides in downwind to compete and outperform established teams. Overall, their start to their career has been good and they are a team that everyone is watching on the racetrack. Can the Swiss reach the final? That’s the big question, and early results in Vilanova will be crucial to their overall chances in the regatta.
Orient Express Racing Team
The great unknowns for Vilanova i La Geltrú, the French are trying to quickly close a big gap in monohull foiling experience, having only received their AC40 in mid-August. However, this is a team brimming with talent and experience from some of the best foiling sailors of present and past generations. Quentin Delapierre and Kevin Peponnet are no strangers to high-level international foiling competition, while the trimmer and flight control group is strong, with Matthieu Vandamme, François Morvan and Jason Saunders competing for positions. The team will be mindful of many lessons learned in Vilanova i La Geltrú and can surely pick up wins along the way. If the French can take the lead, they will be difficult to beat, but time in the boat could be a deciding factor in the overall standings.
The French are approaching the Preliminary Regatta with “humility”, according to their coach Thierry Douillard, but have shown early signs of being more than capable of winning races and beating other teams. The French are brilliant sailors, there is no doubt about that. It’s hard to know if they can challenge for the title in Vilanova due to the short time in the AC40 compared to the more established teams, but they will perform well and could easily achieve memorable, morale-boosting victories. They are the team to watch and enthusiastically support.
To round it all up
Vilanova i La Geltrú will undoubtedly be a close race and it will be the two teams that can offer maximum consistency in eight fleet races who will compete in the match-race final. Where a very different skill set will be required.
Everyone will be keenly watching the technique and close quarter maneuvers and we are likely to see different sailing styles adopted and adapted by the teams throughout the race. Expect all AC40s to sail low upwind and keep an eye on trim and technique downwind as teams will make the most of any wave shapes and gusts on the track.
Who do you think will win the first Preliminary Regatta in Vilanova i La Geltrú?