PRADA CUP DAY 1 – RR1
Today, the practicing stops and the points scoring starts. From here, the three challengers will spend the next four weeks fighting it out in the PRADA Cup to gain the right to go up against the defenders, Emirates Team New Zealand to race for the America’s Cup presented by PRADA in March.
The America’s Cup World Series demonstrated that the challengers are already developing their boats and sailing techniques at a blistering pace, allowing them to build confidence quickly which in turn is allowing them to push their opponents harder.
The opening day of Round Robin 1 sees INEOS TEAM UK face both of their opponents, American Magic first, followed by Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli. With a weather forecast showing breezes of 12-15knots from the south west, the conditions will be on their favoured side of a wind range that has proved to be tricky for Sir Ben Ainslie and his team who have been open about their struggles in the lighter conditions. But as the recent practice racing displayed, the British performance has improved considerably.
American Magic had started the pre-Christmas racing with concerns about their light weather performance as well and yet came away being pleasantly surprised. In the earlier racing this week they looked less poised at times than they had earlier on and will be keen to re-gain their early advantage.
Meanwhile, the Italian team Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli has been at the other end of the scale, confident with their light weather performance, while accepting the need to improve in stronger breezes.
So, if today’s forecast conditions are delivered, all three teams could find themselves in a tricky crossover.
Some might say, the perfect way to begin the series!
First race will start at 3:00 PM NZT weather permitting, exact time of the start and selected race course will be published on americascup.com and social media channels at 11:00 AM NZT.