After the sensational action in practice yesterday – with great breeze and two capsizes – the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series (ACWS) in Chicago couldn’t quite get going today as the wind didn’t materialise in the hot sun of Lake Michigan, despite a promising forecast of 15 knots.
There was consolation for the global television audience who were treated to the action from yesterday’s designated substitute race which now counts as the opening score. It wasn’t a great outing for Land Rover BAR who, despite a strong position going into the final lap, finished fifth. This result will now count towards the weekend’s and the overall points.
The ACWS format and rules mean that a substitute race is always sailed when conditions allow on the Friday and Saturday of the event. The race can then be used in the international broadcast and counted in the ACWS if there is subsequently problems with racing in the broadcast window during the following day. So, because there was no racing in the broadcast window today (Saturday), the substitute race sailed on Friday has become part of the ACWS.
There was a race today, but because the wind only made it possible after the broadcast window had closed, it was also designated as a ‘substitute’. So again, it will only be scored as part of the ACWS if there is no further racing on Sunday. In this race, Land Rover BAR were fourth in shifty conditions, following home Emirates Team New Zealand, Oracle Team USA and Artemis.
All the action on Super Sunday tomorrow – in the UK and Ireland – can be watched live on BT Sport 1 beginning at 18:30. Both channels will run replays of the racing throughout the weekend.
Thoughts on the day:
Ben Ainslie, Skipper and Team Principal: “It was a long day out on the water. It was a real shame the wind didn’t come in for all the crowds that were here and for us sailors.
“We got a little bit of wind at the end, so we were able to do a substitute race in changeable and difficult conditions and it wasn’t a great race for us. It could be counted if there is no racing tomorrow, but by all accounts the weather forecast is good for tomorrow. Fingers crossed that we do get better conditions for all the spectators, fans and us.
David ‘Freddie’ Carr, grinder: “Ultimately the gradient westerly was fighting the lake breeze (an easterly) which meant we had no wind until the very end of the day. It’s frustrating but there’s not a lot you can do about it.
“My gut feeling is that with the forecast tomorrow, the substitute race we sailed today won’t count for anything – but we’ve got to take our lessons from it. It wasn’t a great performance from us by any stretch but as long as we learn from it and go forward tomorrow on the front foot we’ll be in good nick.
“The forecast is good – north-easterly 15-20 knots – which is great for us. We can muscle the boat around the course. We’ll look to sail in some consistent breeze where we can use our boat handling to get through the fleet and hopefully stay at the front and I think it will be a good day for us.”
Source: land-rover-bar.americascup
