Emirates flies
New Zealand’s Emirates Team New Zealand demonstrated a strong presence in Jeddah on Thursday, as the America’s Cup action kicked off in the Red Sea venue. On the first day of preliminary racing, they won two of three races, with the third race ending in a setback due to a solvency issue. Nonetheless, their total of 22 points propelled them to the top of the standings.
The American Magic team, the New York Yacht Club entry and holder of a storied tally in this competition, faced a difficult day. Two disqualifications—one for an early maneuver and another for a delayed start—left them with a single point, placing them at the bottom of the day’s leaderboard. The Americans entered the event with ambitions to repeat a recent triumph, but their performance finished well below expectations.
Emirates flies
The American crew started with a rough pace. Within two minutes, they were disqualified for a prohibited foiling maneuver, allowing the kiwi team to take an early lead. The British team, Ineos Britannia, kept pace briefly before being edged out in the early stages.
Twenty minutes and ten seconds into the race, the defending champions showed why they are among the favorites in the Red Sea qualifier. A confident finish by Ineos Britannia followed, exceeding a minute after the Kiwis, with the Italians, Swiss, and French following in that order.
In the event’s official notes, Kiwi crew member Ray Davies acknowledged that the team launched with impressive speed. Combined with the athletes’ skill and sound strategic decisions on the racecourse, this early edge helped them secure a comfortable victory.
Chaotic start in the second round
The French team faced penalties in a Swiss protest, while the Americans also endured a shaky start. Yet the Kiwi team did not falter, reclaiming the lead and holding it to the finish. The only notable contrast from the first race was the continued pursuit by Alinghi Red Bull Racing, with Ineos Britannia briefly overcoming the field to restore British pride as Vilanova’s team faced a setback in the warm-up rounds.
What followed was a display of a tense contest between Switzerland and England as New Zealand maintained a firm grip on the lead, seemingly unbothered by any challengers looming behind them. The American crew tried to insert themselves into the struggle but fell short.
Wind conditions created organizational challenges from the opening hours, preventing the AC40 from taking full advantage and remaining below 29 knots for much of the session.
Close third round
The second round mirrored the first for the Kiwis, who, under the command of Peter Burling, completed the race in 19 minutes and 18 seconds. They finished more than a minute ahead of the Swiss, showcasing a strong performance that sparked some controversy with the British ahead of them.
The Kiwi team then faced a moment of reflection in the third round. Prada Pirelli Pink Moon surged to the front at the outset and led the first lap, with the French joining the battle for leadership before the Swiss also entered the mix.
Foil trouble
The third arm of the race was the busiest. A sudden drop in wind hampered plans, and the Americans failed to start on time. The Kiwis encountered a foil-related issue that dropped them from the top positions, though this was overshadowed by the American team’s larger failures on that day.
On Thursday, three fleet races of three laps each were completed, and the same format was scheduled for Friday. Saturday would feature two rounds, followed by a head-to-head match race between the two top teams to decide the winner of Jeddah. At this point Emirates Team New Zealand led the pack, with the Italian team closely following on 18 points, the Swiss and British tied on 15, the French with 11, and the Americans bringing up the rear with a single point.