Kiwis on the Cusp of Defending America’s Cup
The first weekend of the 37th Louis Vuitton America’s Cup has produced very few surprises as Emirates Team New Zealand put the first three races against INEOS Britannia in the bag in dominant fashion. That said, Barcelona will certainly set records for fan attendance in the multiple Mixed Zones in the city, as the Catalonian capital makes a strong case to return as the host venue for the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron if their team defends the America’s Cup.
In Catalan: Dit això, Barcelona segurament establirà rècords d’assistència d’aficionats a les múltiples Zones Mixtes de la ciutat, ja que la capital catalana argumenta amb força per tornar com a seu del Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron si el seu equip ho defensa Copa Amèricana.
So far there is no chink in the Kiwis’ armor to suggest that after the results of the first three races anything will change in the near future. As surprising as the British performance was against the Italians, there is little evidence so far to suggest that Sir Ben Ainslie and team have anything in their toolbox to challenge ETNZ at this point.
A collision seemed imminent in the pre-start box at the start of Race 3, as the extended foil blades for each of the AC75s appeared perilously close to slicing off chunks of metal. The British copped the penalty, which put them on their back foot again.
“That was a tough call; we felt like we were keeping clear but obviously the umpires didn’t see it that way,” said INEOS Britannia team principal and skipper Sir Ben Ainslie. “We knew there was no point dwelling on it; we took it on the chin and focused on the rest of the race. I don’t think we’ve sailed at our highest level yet, but I have no doubt in our team. We have the resilience and the determination to find that performance and come back stronger. We’ve already shown we can do that across this competition and we will continue pushing hard.”
“Yes, we tried it yesterday and he just got past us. It was a little bit uncomfortable, to be honest, with how close the boats got,” said ETNZ co-helm Peter Burling. “It will be interesting to see how the umpires ruled. We were pretty clear there, so great to get a penalty, and [we] controlled the race from there.”
As impressive as Taihoro has been upwind, the Brits seem to have pace down.
It was a bit prickly between Kiwi America’s Cup commentator Stephen McIvor and Ainslie in the post-race interview.
“Still believe you’re as close when it comes to performance? Because I get that feeling coming off your boat.” quizzed McIvor.
“Maybe that’s the Kiwi commentator in you, mate,” chuckled Sir Ben.
“OK, I’ll take that one on the chin,” said McIvor.
The timing of some of McIvor’s exchanges can be a bit daft, but Ainslie, in one of those live-mic moments, uttered, “F#%ing wanker,” as he was stepping out of the cockpit.
Ainslie was later asked if he’d known the comment was audible on the international race broadcast.
“Possibly,” said Ainslie. “I just thought it was a bit of a stupid comment from the Kiwi commentator, but I think it’s good for our team, you know.
“It’s good motivation.”
McIvor was sharing the commentary booth with British sailor Shirley Robertson, who won Olympic gold at Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004.
It is “As the Cup Turns” in Barsa!!
In the Puig Women’s America’s Cup, the Italians joined their male counterparts who had captured the Unicredit Youth America’s Cup, bringing home the hardware as well. If the results in Barcelona are any indication, the Italians are going to be formidable on the water in these events for some time to come!
