INEOS Britannia solidified their position as the dominant force in the Louis Vuitton Challenger Series semi-finals, securing a commanding victory over Alinghi Red Bull Racing in their fourth head-to-head encounter. With the victory, INEOS are now 4-0 in the series, positioning themselves for a likely appearance in the final.
The race began with both teams crossing the start line together, an impressive feat of timing and precision. INEOS and Alinghi swapped leads several times during the first leg, with the Swiss team showing flashes of their former America’s Cup glory. However, it was INEOS’s tactical nous that proved decisive, as they executed a well-timed tack to take a 20-metre lead. While both boats sailed at comparable speeds, it was the British team’s superior strategy that allowed them to edge ahead.
By the time they reached the first gate, INEOS had stretched their lead to 180 metres, rounding the mark at 4 minutes and 1 second. Alinghi, under pressure, followed 15 seconds later. But just after rounding the gate, the Swiss team made a crucial error, skimming the water and falling 343 metres behind—a gap that would only widen as the race continued.
On the second leg, INEOS Britannia surged ahead, clocking in at 42 knots. While Alinghi managed a faster speed of 45 knots, the British team’s flawless execution ensured they extended their lead further. By the second gate, INEOS rounded at 7 minutes and 11 seconds, with Alinghi chasing 340 metres behind and trailing by 21 seconds.
At this stage, the only hope for Alinghi was an unforced error from their British opponents, but INEOS showed no signs of faltering. By the third gate, INEOS passed through at 11 minutes and 24 seconds, with Alinghi now a distant 36 seconds behind. The gap continued to widen as the race wore on, with the British team methodically extending their lead.
Rounding the fourth gate at 14 minutes 37 seconds, INEOS were 770 metres ahead, while Alinghi followed 41 seconds later. The Swiss team, twice holders of the America’s Cup, were clearly struggling to keep pace, and their chances of mounting a comeback were quickly slipping away.
On the fifth leg, Alinghi managed to narrow the gap slightly, with the chase distance fluctuating between 600 and 700 metres. However, as INEOS rounded the final gate at 19 minutes and 6 seconds, the British team’s lead had grown to 900 metres, making the outcome all but certain.
INEOS Britannia crossed the finish line at 22 minutes and 23 seconds, with a nearly flawless performance that underscored their dominance throughout the race. Alinghi, trailing by 48 seconds, crossed the line 2 minutes and 30 seconds later, capping off a race that highlighted the clear divide between the two teams.
For INEOS Britannia, the victory further cements their position at the top of the standings. As winners of the Round Robin series, they had the advantage of choosing their semi-final opponent and opted to face Alinghi, who narrowly avoided elimination in the earlier rounds. The decision appears to have been a shrewd one, as INEOS have now won four consecutive races against the Swiss team, who remain winless in the semi-final stage.
With INEOS now one win away from advancing to the finals of the Challenger Series, the pressure is firmly on Alinghi. Barring a major upset in the next race, the Swiss team’s journey in this year’s competition could soon be over.
