The first difficult day of a British ship was in Auckland (Copyright: COR 36 | Studio Borlenghi)
The first day of racing at the PRADA Auckland American Cup World Series was a challenge for INEOS TEAM UK, as they struggled with mechanical issues and had to retire from the second of two races.
All four teams – INEOS TEAM UK, Emirates Team New Zealand, New York Yacht Club American Magic and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli – raced twice on the opening day in Auckland, with the American Cup World Cup PRADA Auckland as the their first competitive contests against All.
Ahead of the start of the action, the British Olympics and world champion Stevie Morrison had seen this trip as an opportunity to see “tromweights” push against their opponents and sadly from a British perspective, b ‘INEOS TEAM UK had to throw in the towel.
After winning both of their games, the New York Yacht Club led the American Magic in their provisional rankings. Cup defender, New Zealand Emirates Team, and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli will follow in second and third place respectively, with INEOS TEAM UK in fourth place.
The race continues with the second day starting in the early hours of Friday morning, live on S.ky Sports Sports at 2am.
PRADA Auckland America Cup World Series – Robin Round Double
| December 17th | December 18th | December 19th |
|---|---|---|
| Race One: Team Emirates New Zealand bt Team Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli | Race Five: Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli vs American Magic team | Race Nine: Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli vs INEOS TEAM UK team |
| Race Two: American Magic bt INEOS TEAM UK | Race Six: Team Emirates New Zealand vs INEOS TEAM UK | Race Ten: New Zealand Emirates Team Against American Magic |
| Race Three: Retired INEOS UK Team vs Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team | Race Seven: American Magic Team vs. Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli | Race 11: INEOS TEAM UK vs American Magic |
| Race Four: American Magic team bt Emirates New Zealand | Race eight: Team INEOS UK vs Team Emirates New Zealand | Race 12: Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli vs Emirates New Zealand Team |
Early issues
With a race of southwesterly winds ranging between 15 and 19 knots, Sir Ben Ainslie expected races to be very tense and emotions high as race day had finally arrived.
However, in the pre-race period against the New York Yacht Club American Magic, the two minutes in which both boats jump in to get in perfect position to cross the starting line, technical difficulties arose. to be clear.
With seconds to go, Ainslie and his team confirmed their intention to compete, however, the New York Yacht Club quickly got American Magic on top of their opponents.
They had developed a 50-second lead at the first gate and as they increased their gain, the problems continued aboard the British ship – BRITANNIA – as they lost control of one of the legs down.
The result was a challenging finish of the race, with the New York Yacht Club American Magic winning by five minutes.
The New York Yacht Club American Magic finished its first day at the top of the temporary stands (Image copyright: COR 36 | Studio Borlenghi)
Not to waste time
After such difficult scenes at race one, INEOS TEAM UK only had a few minutes to try and put things right, before taking part in their second race of the day against Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli .
In the opening stages of the preliminary run, it looked as if the British team had overcome it; they entered the starting box at speed and were focused.
Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli had also embarked on a similar route and with these AC75 boats with ‘safety zones’ around them, it was a British team that was thought to have broken and started with a penalty against them.
The Italians were not spoiled by this moment and instead, hurried away. They moved up on their publications and created a 500m lead.
In contrast, INEOS TEAM UK was unable to get into their ditch and as they passed through the first wind gate, Ainslie announced to the race committee that they were retiring, on due to technical failure.
The view from BRITANNIA
This was not the first day of racing that INEOS TEAM UK had hoped for in Auckland (Image copyright: COR 36 | Studio Borlenghi)
Immediately after the race, Ainslie described INEOS TEAM UK as a “very difficult day” for the team and a “frustrating” man.
“We were a long way from being able to take control of the ship, we had big issues with engineering and the software behind the foil cant system,” Ainslie said.
“So we were late to start and couldn’t move the boat. It was a very difficult day for the crew.
“We were hoping in the stronger winds that the performance would be better than we have shown in the lighter tunes … I think there were signs for that but without control of the boat so well, we weren’t at the races. day. “
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Cant Foil Systems
Within the protocols for the 36th American Cup, the foil arm and foil system are one of the parts donated for these amazing AC75 boats.
After experiencing the issues they have made, and gaining experience in a race situation, Ainslie wants to find a solution for the competition as a whole.
“It’s very important that all the teams work well together on furnished equipment like this. We first saw it in the foil arms and the construction, they were failing too early in terms of the design burden,” he said. e.
INEOS TEAM UK will race against Team Emirates New Zealand twice on day two (Image copyright: COR 36 | Studio Borlenghi)
“We came together as a group of teams and we were able to come through that one. With the software that goes into them, that’s very special for the teams. I think that we need to do a better job of sharing that, if we are going to get to the bottom of it.
“And, to have some ambition for a team that loses a race, or maybe a series, through no fault of their own.
“The teams need to keep working together. This is a difficult thing but it is not our only problem, I would like people to think that we are saying that if we can sort that we will win everything.
“We have other things to sort out but for the good of the event [it needs sorting]. It could be another team in the next round, or in the Cup game itself, and it would be horrible if the American Cup was decided through the foil cant system. That would be crazy. “
Watch every minute of the American Cup challenge, live on Sky Sports. The broadcast kicks off with the American Cup World Cup on Friday from 2am onwards Sky Sports Mix.