Pre-Race Tension: American Magic Plays Their Delay Card
Even before the starting horn blew, the tension was palpable. In a move that surprised many, American Magic played their 5-minute delay card, a strategic ace that can only be used once in the entire competition. It was a bold call, allowing them to wait out conditions and get a better read on the wind – something that was already shaping up to be tricky. With the AC40s operating with an automated flight controller, unlike the manual flight controllers of their AC75 counterparts, precision and timing would be crucial.
Meanwhile, the rest of the teams prepared for battle. All eyes were on the top left side of the course, where the best pressure was expected. But little did they know just how crucial those wind gusts would become.
The Start: Struggles and Early Foil Failures
As the starting gun echoed across the bay, the race began, and teams immediately fought for positioning. But the low winds struck hard and fast. Athena Pathway, representing Britain, was the first victim of the merciless conditions, coming off their foils even before the race properly kicked off. Their struggle to get back on foils was an ominous sign, and they weren’t alone. Several boats faltered in the barely-there wind, waiting for just enough breeze to hit take-off speeds.
The French team, however, seemed unbothered by the wind’s fickle nature. They read the weather perfectly, picking their spots and trimming their sails like pros to maintain speed. As they surged ahead, Team New Zealand’s struggles deepened, with their boat hitting bad air and falling off its foils just moments before the start. It was a nail-biting moment for Kiwi fans as they watched their team struggle in last place.
Leg 1: Britain’s Bold Lead and Swiss Resilience
As the fleet pushed through Leg 1, the British team blazed ahead, passing the French team, then moving forwards to hold a strong lead. By the first gate, they were over 100 metres ahead of their competitors. The Swiss team was close behind, while the French and Italians were locked in a battle for positioning whilst fighting bad air in the middle of the line, unable to break through.
The Brits were showing their skill, relying on old-fashioned sail trimming to squeeze every ounce of power from the faintest breezes. At the top gate, the British team led with a time of 3 minutes and 46 seconds, with Switzerland chasing just 24 seconds behind. France was next, 38 seconds back, while New Zealand sat a disheartening two-and-a-half kilometres behind the pack.
Leg 2: Swiss Surge and the Winds of Change
Then, disaster struck the leaders. As the British team kissed the water and fell off their foils, their lead vanished in an instant. Suddenly, Switzerland surged ahead, taking advantage of the Brits’ misfortune to seize the lead. It was a stunning moment in the race, and in the blink of an eye, the standings shifted once again.
But the wind had more surprises in store. By the second gate at 7 minute mark, all the teams struggled, with the boats crashing down into the water as the wind dropped to almost nothing. At this point, the Swiss led by 23 seconds, followed by France (+26 seconds), and Britain (+38 seconds), with Italy, USA, and New Zealand far behind. Every team was desperately trying to catch a breeze, and the race suddenly became a waiting game as they sat becalmed in the water.
Leg 3: Italy’s Dramatic Takeover
The race took another exhilarating turn in Leg 3. As the teams crawled towards the next gate, Italy made their move. Luna Rossa took advantage of the chaos to push past their rivals, slipping into the lead with impressive precision. Behind them, the British team was fighting hard to close the gap.
As they neared Gate 3, it was a battle of inches. Italy led by a mere 20 metres, but the British were rapidly closing the gap, chasing down the Italians on the right-hand side of the course. The tension was palpable as both teams lined up for the gate, the lead switching back and forth in a race so close that every tack and jibe mattered.
Italy rounded Gate 3 at 12 minutes and 57 seconds, with Great Britain just 13 seconds behind them. This was a two-boat race now, with the rest of the fleet trailing far behind. It was a fight to the finish, and neither Italy nor Great Britain was willing to give an inch.
Final Leg: Italy’s Stunning Victory
As they entered the final leg, Italy showed their class. They extended their lead to over 250 metres as the British team struggled to maintain control in the fading wind. With only one manoeuvre left before the finish, Italy was perfectly positioned. Unless they fell off their foils, the race was theirs to win.
And win they did! Luna Rossa fell off their foils metres from the finish line but slid in a thrilling display of skill, crossing at 15 minutes and 33 seconds. But the race wasn’t over yet. Behind them, Great Britain faltered, with the wind all but disappearing. As they limped towards the finish, Switzerland made a stunning comeback, snatching second place at 1 minute and 50 seconds behind Italy.
The British team, who had led for most of the race, had to settle for third, finishing a frustrating 2 minutes and 30 seconds behind Italy.
New Zealand’s Last-Minute Push
Meanwhile, the Kiwis, who had languished at the back for much of the race, finally found some wind. In a dramatic turn of events, they foiled up from 6th place to 4th, only to fall off their foils again just 130 metres from the finish. The race was eventually stopped before they could cross the line, ending a tough day for the New Zealand team.
In the end, the second race of the 2024 Puig Women’s America’s Cup was a true test of sailing skill. With dramatic lead changes, windless patches, and daring comebacks, it was a race that kept everyone guessing until the very end. Luna Rossa’s victory was hard-earned, but the ever-shifting conditions made it clear that in this competition, nothing is certain until the boats cross the line.
