The most ruthless helmsman's duel in 170 years
And the
America's Cup
was put into play in the Hauraki Gulf (Auckland).
Emirates Team New Zealand
and
Luna Rosa Prada Pirelli
each won a heat on matchday one and rumors pointing to a placid and triumphant ride for the trophy defender in the final quickly faded.
The battle to be the first to score seven victories and win the Hundred Guineas Jug will be dog-faced.
A
wind of between 5 and 15 knots appeared
on the race course, 12 at the time of departure, conditions in which the Luna Rossa is more comfortable.
In addition, Team New Zealand was the first boat to enter the pre-start box, which made it the mouse in this two-minute game in which the boats fight to exit faster and better positioned.
Luna Rossa was the cat and the big cat James Spithill did not hesitate to go for the AC75 kiwi to try to corner him.
Peter Burling did not shrink from the Italians and managed to dodge the attacks with apparent ease.
The truth is that
James Spithill was missing something more aggressive
and in the end both AC75s came out practically at the same time.
Shortly after crossing the starting line, the Australian helmsman of the Luna Rossa launched an attack, approaching the stern of the AC75 kiwi, but Burling knew how to remain calm, detach from the rival and continue to squeeze the speed of the boat;
and he still had time to launch a protest, which was dismissed by the referees.
There were no major differences between the boats in terms of speed, but
Team New Zealand controlled their leading position well
, gaining a 14-second lead after the first stage.
On the first run (section downwind), the 'Defender' continued to improve its performance, mainly due to the extraordinary aerodynamics of the hull that barely allows the crew to see them, crouched in the cavities on the sides.
The AC75 kiwi, with the crew 'hidden'.
With 23 seconds behind in the third stage,
Luna Rossa tried to do things differently
, as dictated by the canons of the 'match race' (boat against boat format) when one is behind;
opting for the opposite side of the adversary on the race course and turning further in search of gusts of wind.
But not even because of that did the Italians manage to hunt down the AC75 'Te Rehutai'.
Finally,
Team New Zealand crossed the finish line 31 seconds ahead
of the Challeger of Record.
Despite everything, from Luna Rossa, fellow countryman
Francesco Bruni
was heard saying
: "We are not that far, we are not that far."
They were not words of comfort, but a warning to sailors
.
SLEEVE 1, IN DATA
TEAM NEW ZEALAND / LUNA ROSSA
Time: 23:08 / +31 sec
Upwind speed: 33.90 knots / 32.81
Downhill speed: 41.85 knots / 40.59
Maximum speed: 46.90 knots / 48.01
Distance: 26,542 m / 26,303
Tacks: 10/11
Gybes: 6/8
The second heat started with a little more wind and with the Luna Rossa entering the pre-start box first.
The strategy of Team New Zealand was not to look for its rival and try to corner him at the edge of the race course, as is usual in this America's Cup, so
James Spithill had time and space to devise a powerful start in the one that achieved a length of advantage
.
It was the first error in the final of the 'Defender', who would soon commit the second when opting for a fast tack that separated him from the opponent.
Luna Rossa had just 100 meters of advantage, a minimal difference but one that she knew how to masterfully manage.
If Team New Zealand tacked, the Italian boat would immediately turn too
.
Thus one, two, three and even four times in the first section.
The Italian crew controlled the situation well.
Peter Burling kept trying everything in the following sections, looking for the most direct wind angle to the steps per buoy, although the leader continued to get stronger (25 seconds difference after the first three sections).
On the last beat, however,
Team New Zealand managed to cut 14 seconds with a stroke of the pen
, placing only 10 seconds behind the Italians with the last sprint to the finish line.
There was excitement, but not so much that the crew of the Luna Rossa grieved.
Victory for the men of Spithill and Bruni by 7 seconds.
Distribution of partial wins on the first day of the 36th Copa América.
There is much battle ahead.
SLEEVE 2, IN DATA
LUNA ROSSA / TEAM NEW ZEALAND
Time: 24:41 / +7 sec
Upwind speed: 33.79 knots / 33.16
Downhill speed: 42.39 knots / 42.52
Maximum speed: 49.78 knots / 51.11
Distance: 28,393 m / 28,189
Tacks: 19/16
Gybes: 7/9
In short: Team New Zealand's AC75 is not as superior as expected, even being somewhat faster than the rival, and
any error in the start is paid for with a loss
, at least until one of the two says otherwise in the next sleeves.
And another fact to take into account:
it is not expected that the shore teams can perform technical miracles
on the boats, since, except this Thursday, there will be no rest days.
The few cases of Covid-19 detected in New Zealand forced the dates in the regatta calendar to be delayed and there are no gaps in the agenda.
From this Friday (4:15 am in Spain), every day there will be two races, weather permitting, until one of the two teams wins the oldest sports trophy in the world.
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