America’s Cup: New Zealand defender wins second preliminary regatta
The New Zealand defender, captained by navigator Peter Burling, dominated the second preliminary regatta for the 2024 America’s Cup off the coast of Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) on Saturday, a new showdown between the six teams involved in the race for jug silver.
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The New Zealanders defeated the Italians Luna Rossa in the final, after taking first place in the general classification at the conclusion of the eight qualifying rounds that were organized between Thursday and Saturday in Saudi Arabia.
The Swiss from Alinghi completed the podium in the second preliminary regatta for the America’s Cup, which will be held from August 2024 in Barcelona.
“In the first race today, the boat fell on its hull and we lost ground to the rest of the fleet. It was difficult for us to come back. But we had a great second race, where we went where we wanted and fought for the win from start to finish. Arnaud Psarovagis, Alinghi team leader, noted. In a team press release: “We are happy to finish the race well and finish third overall.”
In the Orient Express Challenge (3rd in Spain) the French finished last behind American Magic (4th) and Ineos Britannia (5th).
Our challenge this weekend was above all to measure each other up and learn how to sail a fleet of competing crews: winning didn’t achieve anything mathematically.
As during the first preliminary regatta, the crew sailed this week on the AC40, a single-design sailboat model of the AC75 that will be used next year.
The next meeting of the 37th America’s Cup will be held on August 23, 2024 with the third and final preliminary regatta between the six teams, for the first time aboard AC75 aircraft.
From the end of August to the beginning of October, selections will then take place in Barcelona to determine the team that will face New Zealand, the defending champion.
From 12 to 20 October 2024, the defender and the challenger who won the selections will face off in a duel over 13 regattas. The first team to win seven races will win the Cup.
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