BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — A pre-start mistake cost American Magic a point on the opening day of the 37th America’s Cup near the Barcelona beachfront on Thursday.
The boat representing the New York Yacht Club fell off its foils in low-wind conditions before the race start against INEOS Britannia. By the time the monohull got back up to speed the British had already crossed the start line and built a 700-meter lead.
The Brits earned the winning point, but skipper Ben Ainslie was downbeat after seeing the Americans eat up a large part of the huge lead they gifted his boat. American Magic finished only 12 second behind INEOS.
“It’s good to get the point on the board, but I must say that the Americans got back in it,” Ainslie said. “We have work to do.”
The Americans were left ruing what might have been.
“That is really frustrating down at the start area,” American Magic helmsman Tom Slingsby said. “But the guys did an amazing job.”
French team Orient Racing Express beat Switzerland’s Alinghi Red Bull Racing after passing them halfway through the six-leg race.
Two-time defending champion Emirates Team New Zealand edged Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, but the point didn’t count since New Zealand, as the cup defender, is guaranteed a spot in the finals.
The Italians bounced back by beating Orient Express by nearly 1 1/2 minutes.
The opening double round robin phase of the America’s Cup will eliminate the weakest of the five challengers by Sept. 8.
All of the teams will race one-on-one twice. New Zealand will participate in this phase and then drop out of the following two-round playoffs and await the survivor in the final to be held in October.
New Zealand is aiming for a third straight cup win after being victorious in 2017 in Bermuda and 2021 in Auckland. The Kiwis brought the cup to Barcelona saying it was necessary to guarantee the financial security of the team and a competition that would attract enough sponsors. Fashion and luxury goods designer Louis Vuitton has returned as the official sponsor of the race, and the trophy is secured in a custom Louis Vuitton case when it travels.
The America’s Cup is the world oldest international sports trophy. Only four countries – the U.S., New Zealand, Australia and Switzerland – have ever won it.
Spain’s King Felipe VI, who sailed in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, was in attendance on day one.
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