America's Cup: Red Sea delight for New Zealand and Italy

Ahead of racing, His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, the Minister of Sport, visited the outstanding, world-class facilities that have been created for the America’s Cup and was hosted by Grant Dalton, joint CEO of America’s Cup Events and Emirates Team New Zealand, the current holders of the trophy on a tour around the Race Village.

As the sea-breeze filtered in, bang on cue ahead of racing, it was a day of high technique where Emirates Team New Zealand exerted their dominance on the fleet, sailing with real consistency and a smoothness that was exemplary in the first two races.

Peter Burling and Nathan Outteridge put on a masterclass of fleet racing, securing the lead early with two brilliant starts and then proved to be exemplary front-runners, stretching away into commanding leads that just built and built. It was looking ominous for the rest of the contenders who were sailing hard for the podium positions with some superb boat on boat action all the way down the fleet.

The Kiwis didn’t have it all their own way and in race three it was the young sailing talent of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli with Olympic Gold medallist Ruggero Tita and 19-year-old Marco Gradoni who started brilliantly, read the conditions perfectly and sailed off into the distance to secure a resounding race win. Brilliant sailing and outstanding front-running from the Italians, the wire-to-wire win was a marker of intent and perhaps a big indicator of what to expect in the future. The dominant Kiwis fell off their foils downwind and dropped out of contention as Orient Express Racing Team from France took second and Alinghi Red Bull Racing from Switzerland secured third.

The end of the day standings sees Emirates Team New Zealand clear at the top of the leaderboard, but they know that any mistakes will be capitalised on by the fleet. INEOS Britannia, reinvigorated after an excellent Practice Day yesterday, continued their fabulous form, showing great speed and real accuracy through the manoeuvres. Alinghi Red Bull Racing were doggedly persistent throughout the three races and ended the day tied with INEOS Britannia in third place with the stage set for a thrilling day two battle between these two.

Orient Express Racing Team secured a superb second place in Race Three and tactically have been very astute, sailing the shifts, reading the breeze and showing some serious straight-line speed but the almost inexplicable performance of the day was NYYC American Magic who, over three races, had a whole host of issues falling off their foils before the starts and copping numerous umpire penalties that leaves them at the foot of the table with just 1 point gained from the day. A mountain to climb for the Americans if they are to have a say in this regatta by the end.

The forecast for race day two in Jeddah is for a more solid northerly breeze on Friday afternoon and with the leaderboard crowded and close on points, it’s anyone’s regatta to win from here.

Text and images courtesy of The America’s Cup. For more information and to read the full release please visit americascup.com.