Water war: Let’s go racing
The America’s Cup is (unofficially) under way with the World Series beginning in Auckland today. Michael Burgess explains the fourday event
How important is the World Series and Christmas Race?
It’s vital for Team New Zealand; their only chance to engage in official races with the three prospective challengers before the America’s Cup match next March.
In January and February, the defenders will rely on in-house trialing and training, while Luna Rossa, American Magic and INEOS Team UK battle each other in the Prada Cup. So, in theory, the challengers can keep some powder dry for the Prada Cup. But it’s unlikely there will be much “sandbagging”.
Every team needs the confidence boost of some good performances, especially after some up-and-down form in the recent practice races. There will be a particular focus on INEOS Team UK, who have been hardly been sighted so far due to ongoing gear failure.
What about the racing format?
The first three days follow a double round-robin format, with four races each day. Each team will face their three opponents on two occasions. Sunday is finals day. The top-ranked team will face the fourth-best team in one semifinal, with the second and third-placed syndicates facing off in the other. The winners will race in the Prada Christmas Cup decider, with the others in a playoff for third place.
Key men
Team New Zealand: Peter Burling, Blair Tuke and Glenn Ashby
Burling continues to step up to every new challenge and has looked comfortable and competent on the helm of Te Rehutai since its launch. There is extra pressure and attention on home waters, but that doesn’t seem to faze the focused 29-year-old.
Tuke seems to have an almost telepathic relationship with Burling, after more than a decade together on the water. The Northland-raised 31-year-old is flight controller.
Skipper and trimmer Ashby is a foiling specialist and has been key to Team New Zealand’s mastering of flight since 2012.
Luna Rossa: Jimmy Spithill, Francesco Bruni, Max Sirena
Helmsman Spithill has been involved in the last three America Cup matches (2010, 2013 and 2017) and his combination of X-factor, bloodyminded belief and tough mentality make him an important asset for the Italians.
Bruni is a three-time Olympian who is competing in his fifth Cup campaign. He shares the helming duties with Spithill, which the Italians hope will result in faster transitions.
Chief executive and skipper Sirena has been on two Cup-winning teams (2010 and 2017), as well as every Italian challenge since 2000.
INEOS Team UK: Ben Ainslie, Giles Scott, Leigh McMillan and Grant Simmer
Ainslie is the biggest name in British sailing, with four Olympic gold medals on his impressive resume. He also has Cup experience — he was Oracle’s tactician in 2013 — but carries a heavy burden as the helmsman and face of the syndicate.
Scott competed against Ainslie in the Finn class, then had his own Olympic triumph in Rio in 2016. In Auckland, he will reprise his 2017 Bermuda role as Ainslie’s tactician while McMillan is flight controller.
Chief executive Simmer is a Cup veteran. He has been part of 10 campaigns, more than anyone else present in Auckland, and has four wins (1983, 2003, 2007 and 2013).
American Magic: Dean Barker, Terry Hutchinson
Helmsman Barker was with Team New Zealand for almost two decades and four campaigns, before helming the Japanese challenge in 2017. He was part of Team New Zealand’s pioneering “flight” efforts in 2012 and few have more experience with foiling yachts at this level.
Chief executive and skipper Hutchinson has four Cup challenges behind him and has raced alongside Barker in more than 40 regattas over the years, most recently in the TP-52s.
What does it decide?
Officially, nothing — as the America’s Cup World Series and Prada Christmas Cup do not carry any points towards the Prada Cup in January. But along with important practice and the chance to fine-tune combinations and boost confidence, the four-day regatta will also show whose design approach is on track.
What can we expect?
There will be differing strategies. Syndicates will want to win and sail as fast as possible with caveats.
Teams will want to push but not too hard. They will also be wary of locking horns at close quarters; the crews have had limited time on these second-generation AC75s and their speed and acceleration can be frightening, so no one will want to risk a collision or serious damage.