Barcelona, 24 August 2024 — Team New Zealand delivered another masterclass in sailing during the America’s Cup race early this morning, leaving their UK counterparts trailing far behind in a one-sided contest that highlighted the Kiwis’ superior speed and strategy.
The race began at 12:46 AM New Zealand time, with Team New Zealand taking an early lead over the UK team. It quickly became clear that the New Zealanders were in a class of their own, as they established a staggering 400-metre lead almost immediately. Both teams averaged 35 knots down the first leg, but it was Team New Zealand that maintained an outrageous lead, demonstrating their prowess on the water.
By 4 minutes, Team New Zealand had navigated around the first turn, smoothly entering the second leg, while the UK team lagged behind, struggling with a 38-second deficit. As Team New Zealand tore down the second leg at an impressive 47 knots, the UK team could only manage 38 knots, further widening the gap.
The race continued in this vein, with Team New Zealand building a massive lead that seemed insurmountable. At 7 minutes and 10 seconds, they rounded the first bottom mark with the UK team still nowhere in sight. It wasn’t until 8 minutes into the race that the UK finally made it around the bottom leg.
Despite averaging the same speed down the third leg, the UK team could do little to close the gap, remaining in lockstep but far behind the New Zealand boat. The wind, blowing at 11 knots, seemed to favour neither team, but it was clear that the UK was struggling to keep up.
At 11 minutes and 30 seconds, Team New Zealand entered the third gate, maintaining their blistering pace. A full minute later, the UK team finally arrived, much later than their New Zealand rivals. By 13 minutes and 25 seconds, Team New Zealand had established a commanding 1,000-metre lead, a margin that underscored the sheer dominance of their performance.
As the race progressed, it began to mirror New Zealand’s previous dominant performances, with the Kiwis once again asserting their superiority. By 15 minutes, they had rounded the fifth mark and entered the penultimate lap, with the UK team still a full minute behind.
At 19 minutes and a half minutes, Team New Zealand entered the last lap, their lead so vast that spectators joked binoculars were needed to spot the UK boat. True to form, the UK team finally entered the last lap a minute later, still hopelessly behind.
Team New Zealand crossed the finish line with a time of 23 minutes and 08 seconds. The UK team, finishing a full minute later, found themselves on the receiving end of a humbling defeat.
This race, like many before it, showcased Team New Zealand’s relentless drive and unmatched skill, leaving their competitors scrambling to keep up. As the America’s Cup continues, the question remains: can anyone stop the Kiwi juggernaut?
