LOUIS VUITTON CUP FINAL
After a well-earned Reserve Day on Thursday, the Louis Vuitton Cup Final is set to fire back into action for a scheduled two races on today with the scoreline at 6-4 in favour of INEOS Britannia.
This first-to-seven points series has, so far, proven to be a classic and one of the most evenly-matched finals in the long history of the Louis Vuitton Cup that dates back to the very first in 1983. Back then, it was the Challenger ‘Australia II’ that went on to win the America’s Cup, ending the 132-year dominance of the New York Yacht Club – the longest winning streak in sports history.
The winning Challenger from this series, be it INEOS Britannia or Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, will be hoping to do the same when they face the current Defender, Emirates Team New Zealand, in the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup Match, starting on the 12th October.
Today could well prove to be challenging as a cooler airflow has descended over Barcelona, producing an offshore wind this morning from the north west. By midday this is expected to evaporate, before it starts to build slowly from the south. As the afternoon progresses the stability and strength of the wind is a source of some debate, with Race Director Iain Murray hoping for a ramp up to 6-9 knots from the south-east, the ‘Xaloc’ breeze, whilst other models suggest that the cooler airs around Barcelona may prevent the thermal southerlies from filling-in.
As the famous phrase goes: “To win the America’s Cup, first you must win the Louis Vuitton Cup” and for both of the fantastic teams in the Louis Vuitton Cup Final, the scenario is now simple. For INEOS Britannia, win one race from a possible three and the Louis Vuitton Cup is theirs. For Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, win all three races.
In the Louis Vuitton Cup, nothing is impossible. Expect the unexpected.
CHECK BACK HERE AT 14:10 CET FOR LIVE UPDATES FROM THE RACECOURSE OF THE LOUIS VUITTON CUP FINAL
