LOUIS VUITTON CUP FINAL
After the frustration of the time-limit being breached in yesterday’s one and only race, today in Barcelona the conditions are looking prime for an outstanding day of top-class racing in the Louis Vuitton Cup Final between INEOS Britannia, the Challenger of Record, and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli.
At the Race Director’s morning briefing, Iain Murray predicted a building south-west ‘Garbi’ breeze, once the morning northerly drainage has evaporated and swung, delivering wind speeds in the 11-15 knot range – with some models suggesting higher gusts coming up the Mediterranean later in the afternoon.
Aligned with a wind built sea-state of approximately 0.6 – 0.7 metre waves, today it’s almost pitch-perfect for AC75 racing but the emphasis will firmly be on fast-starting, getting the cross and defending like banshees.
Mistakes are costly in the Louis Vuitton Cup Final and the level these two teams are on right now, neither can afford even the slightest execution error.
Dockside the chat is all about ‘momentum’ and it’s an important factor in America’s Cup campaigns. To early right now in this titanic Louis Vuitton Cup Final to call which way the momentum pendulum is swinging but if one team were to score both race wins today then that’s a serious springboard to success.
The Race Village and Fanzones at Plaça del Mar and Bogatell will be filling up from midday, whilst on the water again we are expecting a large spectator fleet all eager to be a part and witness the extraordinary spectacle of this thrilling Louis Vuitton Cup Final.
Too-close-to-call, expect fireworks in the pre-start today. First start is scheduled for 1410 CET with the second to follow at 1515 CET.
CHECK BACK HERE FOR LIVE REPORTS FROM THE RACECOURSE OF THE LOUIS VUITTON CUP FINAL FROM 14:10 CET
Race 3
The ‘Garbi’ south-westerly breeze is in earlier than expected and once again we are challenging the upper wind limit of 21 knots. The Race Committee are sampling the wind across the course and right now it’s a hold for the breeze to settle.
Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli have a mainsail issue with broken battens in the upper sections so are forced to drop sails and re-hoist as the clock ticks down to the start despite the wind sampling currently above the 21 knot limit. Race against time for the Italians to get this sorted.
At 3 minutes, the race is called to start with Luna Rossa still changing their sails but with under 2 minutes to go, the Chief Umpire disqualifies the Italians due to the team Chase Boat being alongside and INEOS Britannia are awarded the race win. It’s 2-1 now in the Louis Vuitton Cup Final. Desperate luck for the Italians but the team are working hard to get the mainsail skins down and new ones up.
Scheduled next start is at 15:25 CET.
Race 4
After a full-team effort, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli recover well and re-launch new mainsail skins ahead of Race 2 and get some practice ahead of the start. With the wind just above the limit, and a delay is called by the Race Committee.
With several delays called, GBR spot a suspected batten issue in their jib and go for a quick drop and re-hoist to check through with technicians onboard
