Day 6 and victory for Alinghi Red Bull Racing at the America's Cup 2024

The 2024 America’s Cup, held in the waters of Barcelona, experienced an intense day on its sixth day of competition. The Swiss team Alinghi Red Bull Racing achieved a key victory, solidifying their comeback on a day where tactics and precision were essential.

Tactical dominance in shifting conditions

The day began with moderate winds blowing from the southwest, locally known as "garbí," fluctuating between 10 and 15 knots. These conditions made tactical decisions regarding sail choices and the ability to adapt to the racecourse crucial for the outcome.

The skipper of Alinghi Red Bull Racing, with an excellent reading of the course and anticipation of wind shifts, opted for a J1 jib configuration at the start of the race, which allowed them to maintain good speed upwind. The decision to switch to a larger sail as the wind increased throughout the race was key to consolidating their lead.

Upwind and downwind strategies: keys to victory

The race was defined in the upwind sections, where the Swiss team took advantage of their superior speed and ability to sail close to the optimal angle, around 42 degrees to the wind. This precise control allowed them to open a gap with their main competitors in the early stages.

In key moments, the crew executed flawless maneuvers, especially during tacks and changes of tack, maintaining the boat’s speed and avoiding time losses that other teams failed to minimize. As the race progressed and wind conditions fluctuated, their quick decision-making gave them a clear advantage on the downwind legs, where they deployed their asymmetric spinnaker to maximize speed.

"Our control upwind is what won us the race," the team’s tactician noted after crossing the finish line first.

"In such a tricky racecourse, we knew the key was in every tack and managing the wind pressure shifts well."

A victory that reignites hopes in the Louis Vuitton Cup

This victory puts Alinghi Red Bull Racing in a better position in the overall standings. After a somewhat difficult start to the competition, where they struggled with challenging wind conditions in the early days, the team has managed to correct mistakes and adjust their tactics to take advantage of opportunities in this crucial phase of the Louis Vuitton Cup.

The Swiss team has been solid in their boat handling and strategic decision-making. The grinder and the mainsail trimmer have played a crucial role, keeping the boat optimized at all times, especially in sections where quick acceleration was essential to avoid getting trapped in the wake of other competitors.

Looking ahead to the upcoming races

There’s still a lot at stake, and Alinghi Red Bull Racing cannot afford to lower their guard. With the semifinals on the horizon, they will need to continue demonstrating their ability to adapt to the changing conditions of the Mediterranean and remain efficient both tactically and technically. Every decision in maneuvers, from gybes to sail choices, will be crucial to staying in the race for the coveted trophy.