SteemSports: 5th Americas Cup Days 2 and 3 Analysis

Kiwis Start To Fly

Day 2

Here we go again! Day two of racing in the 35th Americas Cup threw up yet more surprises as teams fought to master the shifty conditions on the Great Sound of Bermuda.

In today’s six races we saw Team Oracle suffer their 1st defeat, Groupama France secure their 1st win, and Team NZ win 2 from 2.

In the first race Groupama France got their first win of the regatta in a tight duel with Artemis Racing. Race two saw Team Oracle continue their strong form & easily overcome BAR by 39 seconds and race three highlighted how critical mistakes can be.

Team Japan leading the race made a poor rounding at the 4th mark allowing Team NZ to take the lead and once in front they never looked back. Team NZ extended that lead into the finish for what was a hard fought but in the end a comfortable win.

Race 4 saw the form book upset as Artemis Racing accounted for cup holders Team Oracle in a tight tussle, eventually winning by 39 seconds. The other crews are sure to be studying the video footage of this race to find chinks in the Oracle armour.

Race 5 saw Team NZ make an early mistake entering the start box early. Despite receiving a penalty, their superior boat speed was enough for Team NZ to win this one comfortably over Team Japan.

Photo: Courtesy of Emirates Team NZ

Early signs show that boat speed and stability are cucial for success but minimising mistakes are imperative as Team Japan found out. These boats go so fast that the smallest mistake can TNZ once again looked most stable, Team Oracle continue to look strong despite their first defeat, Groupama France proved they’re no easy-beats, while BAR & Team Japan continue to struggle.

More racing tomorrow but only three races. Team Oracle have a rest day after three races today.

Day 2 Results

Race 7: Artemis vs Groupama (Groupama won by 3s)
Race 8: Oracle vs BAR (Oracle won by 39s)
Race 9: Team Japan vs Team NZ (Team NZ won by 33s)
Race 10: Oracle vs Artemis (Artemis won by 39s)
Race 11: Team NZ vs BAR (Team NZ won by 1m 28s)
Race 12: Team Japan vs Oracle (Oracle won by 54s)

Day 3

Only three races today with all teams but Oracle racing. One could say it’s handy being the holder and able to write the rules in one’s favour.

Race one saw the resurgence of Groupama easily accounting for BAR. There will be concern on BAR who now have only one win from 5 races, and who held the early lead in this race only to give it up by the end of the first upwind leg and see Groupama literally sail off into the distance.

Race two between Artemis and Team NZ was the race of the regatta to date. This was one for the purists where the lead never exceeded 100m at any time and there were nine changes of lead. Artemis showed fantastic boat speed but arguably were out-manoeuvred by the kiwis on occasions which kept them in the hunt. The duel in the start box set the tone and the race came down to the last gate where Team NZ had starboard advantage and were deemed to take evasive action as Artemis passed close by. Artemis were penalised and Team NZ sailed to what will be a controversial win, and one I suspect we haven’t heard the last of.

Photo: Courtesy of Stuff.co.nz - RICARDO PINTO/ ACEA 2017

Race three was another race against current form. Team Japan, going into the race with only one wine from four, flew through the start and never looked in doubt, extending their lead over Groupama as the race continued eventually winning by 2m 34s. The extent of the loss raised doubts over damage to the Groupama boat, or just simply a reflection of the gallic nature of their challenge.

So another spectacular day of racing on Bermuda’s Great Sound. Once again results were mixed with Groupama taking a comfortable win against BAR to then be completely out-sailed by Team Japan in the third race of the day. Team NZ looked set to suffer their second defeat but for a late penalty to hand them the victory over Artemis. This may not be the last we’ve heard of this as the America’s Cup has a penchant for employing lawyers. Whatever happens, Artemis have the chance for immediate redemption lining up against Team NZ in the first race tomorrow (Day 4).

Day 3 Results

Race 7: BAR vs Groupama (Groupama won by 53s)
Race 8: Artemis vs Team NZ (NZ won)
Race 9: Groupama vs Team Japan (Team Japan by 2m 34s)

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