BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — NYYC American Magic won a nailbiter over INEOS Britannia only to then self-destruct against the Swiss as sailing resumed at the 37th America’s Cup on Thursday after bad weather.
The matchup between the oldest rivals in the 173-year-old regatta featured lead changes right up to the finish.
Britannia looked set to win when American Magic fell off its foils when they both spun through the final turn at the same time. But American Magic made up the difference on the run to the finish line to win by 13 seconds.
But the team representing the New York Yacht Club then flopped in a loss to Alinghi Red Bull Racing. The Swiss team outsailed the Americans, who took a pre-start penalty for arriving too soon and couldn’t overcome it. The Swiss got a much-needed win by 38 seconds.
“A very bad race from the start,” American Magic helmsman Tom Slingsby said. “We have to have a look and see what is going on.”
Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli stayed perfect at 5-0 after beating France’s Orient Express Racing Team, which is 1-5. American Magic is 3-3, INEOS 3-2, and Alinghi 2-4.
The opening double round-robin stage of the competition will eliminate the lowest-scoring yacht by Sunday.
The remaining four boats will enter two-round playoffs to decide which one will take the Louis Vuitton Cup and earn a place in the America’s Cup match, where it will face holder Emirates Team New Zealand in October. New Zealand is participating in the opening phase, but its races don’t count.
Racing was abandoned on Tuesday after lightning struck near a boat. No races were held on Wednesday due to more thunderstorms.
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