The race began with a tense countdown as Switzerland was busy with technicians on their yacht making repairs after the first race. The technical issue saw Switzerland’s Alinghi Red Bull Racing forced to withdraw – but due to the race rules, as they were unable to compete they will be allocated points, that withdrawal reduced the fleet to four; Orient Express withdrew before the race began.
Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, American Magic, Emirates Team New Zealand, and Pathways Great Britain prepared to face off in a race that would prove to be as unpredictable as the sea itself.
From the outset, the teams struggled to manage the conditions; after starting over 3 hours late due to the lack of wind, by the time this race was started, we had a good wind behind us, combined with the forecasted choppy seas, about a 1-metre swell.
Emirates Team New Zealand initially looked strong, firing off the start line with blistering speed. However, the sea state quickly made its presence felt, with the Kiwis suffering a series of splashdowns that knocked them off their foils and slowed their progress. This allowed the Italians of Luna Rossa to seize the lead, threading their way expertly around the buoys despite some close moments of their own.
The critical turning point came midway through the race, on the second upwind leg. American Magic, which had been lurking just behind the leaders, found its moment. With superb tactical sailing, they powered through the fleet, taking advantage of a slight wind shift and managing the choppy waters with precision. The Americans surged past Luna Rossa, taking the lead as the Italians struggled to maintain their composure in the worsening conditions.
The teams continued to battle the elements; we had expected a very choppy sea-state today, but having waited for over 3 hours to be able to start any racing due to the lack of wind, the course now offered us very strong winds, gusting to the very top end of the allowed winds.
The wind gusted up to 18 knots, and several boats were caught out by sudden waves, leading to some heart-stopping moments. Emirates Team New Zealand, leading the race at one point, found themselves repeatedly off their foils, desperately trying to recover lost ground; the leaderboard at the end of the race did not really fairly reflect how well they did, and how much the very poor conditions impacted the Kiwis results.
Pathways Great Britain secured a respectable third place despite multiple touchdowns and some precarious piloting decisions near the finish.
American Magic remained focused in this race. Their superior handling and ability to stay airborne for longer periods paid off handsomely.
The course was shortened due to what had now become very strong winds coupled with the 1-metre swell – as well as storm clouds blowing in which brought even stronger winds – but in the end American Magic crossed the finish line first, securing 10 points and their first victory of the competition. Luna Rossa followed close behind, having put up a strong fight but ultimately unable to keep pace with the American team’s charge.
As the teams crossed the finish line, there was almost a sense of relief and accomplishment. The race had been a true test of seamanship, piloting, and boat skippering skill, with the young sailors showcasing their ability to manage high-performance foiling yachts in difficult seas.
For American Magic, this is a well deserved victory; it’s only the second race but this victory will deliver a morale boost early in their campaign in the Youth America’s Cup. The Italians of Luna Rossa remain formidable challengers having taken out the first race of the day, while Emirates Team New Zealand and Pathways Great Britain will look to bounce back in tomorrow’s races.
Six more races to come, the Youth America’s Cup is shaping up to be a fiercely competitive and unforgettable event.
