Louis Vuitton Round Robin 2
Whoa, the wind has increased to 18.5 knots. The pressure is on Orient Express to stay alive and book its spot in the semi-finals. American Magic has already lost to Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli today, but that’s not saying much: everyone’s losing to Luna Rossa.
American Magic is coming in on port; Orient Express on starboard. Both boats on time, big wind, big waves. There’s spray all over the on board cameras. The boats hit the line at speed, Orient Express is well to leeward of American Magic. The boats are flying up the course.
France tacks out of the boundary and USA tacks to cover. France has to survive to windward to keep clear air. I’m blissing out on the sight of these two, sleek, blue and white boats at play.
The French need to keep clear and sail their own race. But USA is having none of that, and the boat trails are drawing the classic matchracing pattern of zig zags up the course, seven tacks to the first gate with American Magic protecting the right.
Orient Express is hanging in there and ready to pounce if the Americans put a foil or rudder wrong – wow, the French are showing mega improvement. Probably too little, too late, but impressive. The delta at mark one is just 8 seconds and now they’re screaming downwind at more than 44 knots.
From Tom Slingsby, USA: ‘I’m not concerned about him. I’m just concerned about us.’ With big swells and debris in the water, he’s got his priorities.
Coming into gate 2, Slingsby calls for a nice two-board rounding, as they come bouncing in over the potholes. The delta at gate 2 is 14 seconds to USA. Orient Express is hanging in there.
American Magic holds the lead, but Orient Express is on their heels all the way. Whatever issue American Magic seemed to have had with their powerhouse on Thursday, they have resolved it. Orient Express has a couple of touch downs on leg 4 and that writes the race.
American Magic leads them to the line, just 15 seconds ahead, and secures its place in the semi-finals.
© Rebecca Hayter
Photo credit: American Magic, Ricardo Pinto, America's Cup
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