In a strategic and expected move, INEOS Britannia of Great Britain, who finished top of the table in the Louis Vuitton Challenger Series Round Robin, has selected Alinghi Red Bull Racing of Switzerland, the team at the bottom of the standings, to face off against in the semi-final phase. This decision allows INEOS to potentially secure their place in the final by racing against a less favoured team in the Best of 5 Series.
At a Press Conference in Barcelona on Friday, the Skipper and CEO of Britannia, Ben Ainslie confirmed his choice of team to face in the Semi’s.
Ainslie additionally announced, also a spoil of the winner, that he will enter the course from the Starboard Entry. Finally, he confirmed that the INEOS / Alinghi race would come second each day, behind the Luna Ross / American Magic race.
Jimmy Spithill of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli later confirmed that in the second group, Luna Rossa will enter from the Port side of the course.
The Luna Ross and American Magic race will occur first each day, starting around 2pm Barcelona time, mid-night New Zealand time.
The selection is part of the Louis Vuitton Challenger Series, is where the top-ranked team from the Round Robin phase earned the right to choose their opponent for the Semi-finals. INEOS’ choice to compete against the struggling Swiss team provides them with a tactical advantage heading into the final stages of the competition. Alinghi Red Bull Racing, despite their challenging start, will no doubt be eager to prove themselves against the British powerhouse.
This decision means the second semi-final group will feature Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli of Italy, who finished second in the round-robin, squaring off against NYYC American Magic of the USA. Both teams are considered strong contenders, with Luna Rossa bringing a wealth of experience and American Magic looking to prove their mettle after an up-and-down performance in earlier stages.
Path to the Final
The winner of the INEOS Britannia vs Alinghi Red Bull Racing clash will proceed to the series final, where they will face the victor from the Luna Rossa versus American Magic showdown for a Best Of 7 Series. The stakes couldn’t be higher, as the final winner will not only claim the Louis Vuitton Cup but also earn the coveted title of Challenger for the 2024 America’s Cup meeting New Zealand’s Emirates Team New Zealand to race for the 2024 America’s Cup.
A Tactical Advantage
For INEOS Britannia, the selection of the bottom-placed team reflects a careful strategy to increase their chances of progressing smoothly into the final. However, as past competitions have shown, underdog teams can often pull off surprises, and Alinghi Red Bull Racing will be determined to fight back against the odds.
The semi-finals promise intense competition as the teams battle for a chance to challenge Emirates Team New Zealand for the America’s Cup. As the tension builds, fans and experts alike are eagerly watching to see who will emerge victorious in the semi-final phase and claim the right to challenge the Cup holders in 2024.
