Oct 17, 2024
INEOS Britannia surprised on the fourth day of the Louis Vuitton America's Cup Match with two impressive victories over Emirates Team New Zealand. The conditions in Barcelona were ideal for the teams, with steady winds and moderate waves that allowed for high-level technical sailing.
The British team, led by Ben Ainslie, executed a flawless strategy, controlling every phase of the races. From the start, INEOS Britannia showed clear dominance in the upwind maneuvers and on the long downwind legs, where they optimized the speed of their foils.
The racecourse in Barcelona presented winds between 10 and 15 knots, allowing the AC75 boats to reach speeds of over 45 knots in certain sections. These conditions favored INEOS Britannia, whose foil and sail design seems to have found its optimal point for these circumstances.
After these two victories, the updated standings are as follows:
The British team has perfected their starts, especially in the second race of the day, where they gained an early advantage by positioning themselves favorably for the first leg. Additionally, their management of foil transitions and tight tacks demonstrated excellent coordination between the crew and the boat's technology.
Tactical decisions in the crossing of tacks were crucial, allowing the British to defend their position against the New Zealanders. The choice of layline in the final stages of the second race was decisive in securing the overall victory.