In a highly anticipated match-up between Emirates Team New Zealand (NZ) and INEOS Britannia (UK), the Kiwi team delivered a masterclass performance, showcasing their dominance and reinforcing their status as America’s Cup defenders. From the outset, it was clear that New Zealand’s superior speed and tactical prowess would be a significant challenge for the British team.
The race commenced with INEOS Britannia taking a slim early lead. However, their advantage was short-lived. Midway through the first leg, Emirates Team New Zealand seized the opportunity to overtake. The British team’s difficulties were evident as they fell off their foils slightly, giving the Kiwis a perfect chance to build their lead.
As New Zealand approached the first gate, they had already established a commanding position. By the time they rounded the gate at 3:57, they were 250 metres ahead of the UK, who were trailing 24 seconds behind and struggling with a brief touch down as they navigated the gate.
By the start of the second leg, Emirates Team New Zealand had extended their lead to 300 metres. As the reigning America’s Cup champions, their performance was expected to be strong, and they did not disappoint. NZ passed the second gate first at 7:49, with the UK trailing approximately 15 seconds behind, making slight gains of 9 seconds since the previous lap.
The third leg continued to see New Zealand maintaining their dominance. Both teams were travelling at around 25 knots, but NZ’s slight edge in speed allowed them to increase their lead to 450 metres. They rounded the third gate at 12:28, entering at 32 knots, while the UK fell further behind, trailing 33 seconds after NZ and losing an additional 18 seconds since the last gate.
Entering the fourth leg, New Zealand held a 350-metre lead. The conditions, characterised by slow winds, meant both boats were pushing their limits at 32 knots. Despite the challenging conditions, NZ’s performance remained impressive. They rounded the fourth gate at 16:28 and continued to maintain a strong pace into the fifth leg.
The British team’s struggles became more apparent as they fell off their foils again while rounding the fourth gate. This mishap, coupled with their already significant time deficit, severely limited their chances of recovery. By the time they managed to get back on their foils, they were 650 metres behind New Zealand, with their performance suffering further under the mounting pressure.
New Zealand’s dominance was evident as they approached the final gate. Their lead had expanded to an impressive 900 metres, and they rounded the final gate at 20:59. Meanwhile, INEOS Britannia was still halfway through their fifth leg, struggling to keep pace with the formidable Kiwis.
As NZ cruised to victory, they completed the race in 24:20. The UK crossed the finish line 3 minutes and 2 seconds later, still a substantial 1000 metres behind. Despite their valiant efforts, the British team could not match the superior speed and tactical acumen of the New Zealanders.
Emirates Team New Zealand’s performance was nothing short of impressive. They demonstrated exceptional speed, tactical precision, and absolute determination, reaffirming their status as one of the best teams in the America’s Cup. For INEOS Britannia, the race highlighted the gap between them and the top contenders, serving as a reminder of the challenges they face.
Despite the loss, INEOS Britannia’s effort was commendable given the overwhelming strength of their opponents. The result underscored New Zealand’s potential dominance in the competition, setting a high benchmark for other teams.
As the America’s Cup campaign progresses, all eyes will be on how the other teams respond to New Zealand’s formidable performance. For now, Emirates Team New Zealand can celebrate a well-earned victory, reaffirming their reputation as a powerhouse in sailing.
