As if the tension and stakes weren’t already high enough in this enthralling Louis Vuitton Cup, once again today the weather is taking centre stage but there’s optimism amongst the Race Committee that we will get underway this afternoon. The plan is for racing to start at 14:00 CET with the crucial match-up between Orient Express Racing Team and INEOS Britannia in focus.
The French know they need to win and after yesterday’s structural issues following a nosedive in practice before racing had begun, for sure the technicians and boatbuilders will have had a long night preparing the AC75 for action. INEOS Britannia, meanwhile, will be giving no quarter in this race as there’s an outside possibility, if they win, of finishing tied with Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, should the Italians succumb to Alinghi Red Bull Racing in the second race of the day.
The concluding race of the day has its own fascination but with nothing on the line. Emirates Team New Zealand will be racing for the final time in the Louis Vuitton Cup and the next time we will see the Defenders will be in the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup Match starting on Saturday 12 October. For their opponent today, NYYC American Magic, all eyes will again be on who they confirm as the port helm. Lucas Calabrese was nominated yesterday. (Update: At midday Lucas Calabrese has been confirmed as port helm on ‘Patriot’ for today’s racing).
Iain Murray, Race Director, briefed on the light conditions with the weather models showing a 6-9 knots southerly with a 0.5 metres easterly swell but the potential for up to 11 knots. The thermal breezes from the south have often proven to surprise to the upside and that’s very much the hop in order for the schedule will be completed today. Tuesday and Wednesday are designated ‘Reserve Days’ if the wind limit fails to be reached today.
Plenty to play for at both the top and bottom of the standings ahead of the knock-out semi-final stage of the Louis Vuitton Cup. One team, however, will be eliminated today if racing gets away and that’s the hardest fact of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup – the hardest international sporting contest to win on the planet and it has been that way for 173 years.
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