2023-12-01 15:21:32
– Alinghi Red Bull remains in ambush
After two days of preliminary regattas for the 37th America’s Cup in AC40, the Swiss Team is in a very good 3rd place. Continuation and end Saturday.
Published today at 4:21 p.m. Updated 2 hours ago
Alinghi Red Bull and the other competitors put on a magnificent show in Jeddah.
Sami Vidic/Alinghi Red Bull Racing
“It will be a very different day” In Jeddah, the six teams entered in the preliminary regattas of the 37th America’s Cup offered a breathtaking spectacle on Friday. The day before, at the opening, with very light airs, the challenge was to stay perched on your foils to find speed. Little strategy, few crossovers and ultimately few twists and turns punctuated the first three rounds dominated by Emirates Team New-Zealand (2 victories) and Luna Rossa Pirelli (1 victory). Alinghi Red Bull Racing completing the podium, following these weightless races.
On Friday, the paradigm shift was brutal. The six teams engaged in a real marine rodeo. During three furious races, the AC40s, these fabulous flying boats, never went below 30 knots going upwind and below 40 knots downwind. Crazy speeds that we don’t even reach (or very rarely) on the lake with motor boats!
Twice third
In breathtaking fleet regattas, you had to have a strong heart to position yourself in the right place at the right time. In these ideal conditions, the teams were able to demonstrate their technical as well as tactical mastery.
The very young Luna Rossa crew amazed everyone by once once more winning one of the day’s races right under the nose of Team New Zealand (once once more victorious in two races). Alinghi Red Bull Racing had the same type of day as the day before with a timid start punctuated by a botched start and ultimately punished by a disappointing 5th place. But Arnaud Psarofaghis, Bryan Mettraux, Maxime Bachelin and Yves Detrey then moved up, finishing 3rd twice. A rank which is also theirs in the general classification, following six rounds.
Looking up
On Saturday, the door to qualification for the final match race (duel) will remain ajar. But the Swiss Team is almost condemned to a flawless performance in the last two qualifying races. We will have to win and count on a poor performance from Luna Rossa or Team New Zealand to climb into the top 2.
On Friday, Alinghi was able to secure its first victory in round 6. Leading for three quarters of the course, the Swiss AC40 found itself stuck between two opponents as it passed the leeward gate. A situation on the verge of regulation which made him lose his head but not his smile.
For two days, Alinghi Red Bull Racing has proven that with its Swiss sailors, it is racing by looking more towards the top than the bottom of the rankings. The SNG team leaves behind world sailing leaders like Ben Ainslie (Ineos Team GB) or Tom Slingsby (NYYC American Magic). This is perhaps the main lesson of these exciting preliminary regattas.
Grégoire Surdez has been a journalist at Sport-Center since 2019. After an internship as a free candidate from 2002 to 2004 in the 24-hour sports section, he worked there for 5 years. In 2009, he joined the Tribune de Genève and specialized in monitoring alpine skiing, sailing and ice hockey. In 2020, he co-authored the book “Suisses en Mer” (published by Favre). More informations
Did you find an error? Please report it to us.
0 comments
1701453970
#Sailing #Alinghi #Red #Bull #remains #ambush