PRADA CUP DAY 2
Completing the opening day’s racing of the Prada Cup with two wins from two starts set a new standard for INEOS Team UK. But yesterday’s racing delivered not only a turnaround performance for the British team, but a clear example as to how fast and far the bar is being raised as teams work as hard off the water as they do on it to improve performance. Nothing can be taken for granted.
Today’s racing starts with the match between Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli and American Magic who, in previous matches have shown that they are prepared to lock horns in the pre-start and fight a close battle all the way around the race course.
But during the break, both teams have modified their boats and their systems, re-setting their individual performances. Add to this a forecast for tricky, light wind conditions and it is difficult to predict the outcome.
In the second match of the day INEOS Team UK go head to head with the Americans for the second time.
Keen to reassert their earlier dominance American Magic will doubtless be keen to restore their confidence by going all out to make the best of conditions that have previously caused problems for the British.
But given the long list of modifications to INEOS’s boat no one can be sure yet of how far the newfound performance extends. They are clearly quick when the wind is in the mid-teens and above, but what about when the windspeed is in single figures?
The bottom line is that Day 2 looks set to be another revealing day.
Forecast
1500 – 7-9kts 225 degrees
1600 – 9-10kts 245 degrees