Sep 10, 2024
As part of the 2024 America's Cup taking place in Barcelona, the competition has reached a critical point with the British team INEOS Britannia taking the lead in the Louis Vuitton Cup. Meanwhile, the French team has been the first eliminated from the tournament, despite showing clear technical progress in each race.
The French team, led by Quentin Delapierre, failed to secure a place in the final stages of the America's Cup, being the first to be eliminated. However, the performance of the French aboard their AC75 has shown remarkable progress in terms of maneuverability and foil management.
Throughout the races, the team exhibited constant improvement in the transition between displacement mode and flight mode, although some tactical errors and positioning decisions at key moments cost them the spot in the semifinals. The complexity of maintaining the foils at optimal speed in the variable conditions of the Barcelona racecourse was a challenge for the French, but their performance suggests they will be better prepared in future competitions.
The British team, led by veteran Sir Ben Ainslie, has been able to capitalize on their vast experience and a top-tier technical team to dominate the Louis Vuitton Cup. The AC75 boats of INEOS Britannia have shown excellent foil control in all conditions, maintaining average speeds higher than their competitors and executing tacks and gybes with millimetric precision.
One of the key factors in their success has been the ability of Ainslie and his team to read the wind and make strategic decisions before each maneuver. The choice of trajectories has been crucial in their dominance, allowing them to minimize time in low-lift modes and make the most of stretches in stable flight.
The British have also optimized the transition between different foil attack angles, enabling them to adjust their configuration according to sea and wind conditions in real-time, gaining valuable seconds over their rivals.
The Barcelona racecourse, with variable winds in both intensity and direction, has posed a considerable challenge for all teams. The water conditions and coastal microclimates have required a flexible tactical approach and constant optimization of foil performance.
The British team has proven to be particularly effective in reading these changes and adjusting both their trimming and sail configuration accordingly. Their ability to smoothly switch between high and low-lift modes, combined with excellent meteorological analysis, has allowed them to stay ahead in the Louis Vuitton Cup.
With France's elimination, attention now turns to the British, New Zealand, and American teams, who will compete for a place in the grand final. The upcoming races are expected to be extremely competitive, with a high level of technical and tactical play. Improvements in AC75 technology and the teams' ability to optimize their strategies based on Barcelona's conditions will be key to determining the next champion.