As the race commenced, Italy shot out of the starting gate, but a penalty quickly set them back, allowing the United States to seize the lead. France, initially competitive, fell to last place after a dramatic drop from their foils, ultimately retiring from the race due to potential damage.
The US held a commanding 100-metre advantage as they approached the first gate, crossing it in 3:49, followed closely by Italy and the UK. Meanwhile, New Zealand struggled at the back, desperately needing points to avoid elimination.
By the second gate, the US continued to dominate, clocking in at 6:47, with the UK and Italy in pursuit. The UK managed to edge past New Zealand, intensifying the pressure on the latter, which was quickly falling out of contention.
As the final gate approached, the US maintained its lead but faced a surge from the UK, closing the gap to just 50 metres. In a thrilling finish, the US reclaimed the lead and crossed the finish line first with a time of 14:32. The UK followed closely behind in second, with Italy securing third place.
As the race concluded, it became evident that the competition had claimed its victims: France, Switzerland, and New Zealand were all sent home, leaving the remaining teams to vie for glory in the upcoming rounds.
The excitement continues as the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup progresses, promising more thrilling races ahead.
