Cup Experience

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Some details from the AC72s

America's Cup AC72 Details
Separate lines raise and lower daggerboards during each tack and gybe. Here are the controls on Emirates Team New Zealand.
America's Cup The helmsman controls daggerboard rake. Luna Rossa has lines on the wheel.
The helmsman controls daggerboard rake. Luna Rossa has lines on the wheel.
America's Cup Emirates Team New Zealand has continuously upgraded their aero package.
Emirates Team New Zealand has continuously upgraded their aero package. Both crossbeams and the diagonal beams have fairings. The foot of the wing seals tightly with the “deck” which forms an “end plate” to reduce turbulence and drag.

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Breakdowns in first three Louis Vuitton Cup races

Emirates Team New Zealand leads LVC Final 2-1

There is no second in the Louis Vuitton Cup. Luna Rossa had a daggerboard problem in Saturday’s race 1. ETNZ dropped out of race 2 when the control system for their hydraulics failed on Sunday. Luna Rossa pulled out of race 3 on Monday with a wing control problem.

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Luna Rossa struggles to repair daggerboard lift system before race 1. Image: ACTV

Wind limits exceeded – three races blown out

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America’s Cup race committee boat. Image: ACTV

The plan for two races per day has been blown off course by San Francisco’s reliable sea breeze, which builds through the afternoon. The wind limit for August is 21 knots, adjusted up or down by the speed of the flood or ebb tide. 

Race 1: Luna Rossa daggerboard break down

Luna Rossa’s daggerboard lift system broke just before the start of Race 1. They made a repair and started but it broke again at the first mark.

Emirates Team New Zealand nosedives

ETNZ buried their bows at the windward gate and lost two men overboard, but they finished race 1 to take a 1-0 lead.

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ETNZ had a scare at the windward gate but survived to pick up the point. image: ACTV
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Chris Ward and Rob Waddell were recovered unhurt. Image ACTV
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ETNZ’s nosedive in race 1 tore the fairing off the forward beam. Image: ACTV

Race 2: Emirates Team New Zealand loses hydraulic power

On Sunday it was ETNZ’s turn to lose a race because of mechanical problems when their hydraulic system failed during race 2. Luna Rossa scored the win to even the series 1-1.

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ETNZ dropped out of race 2 with hydraulics problems. Luna Rossa picked up the point. Image: ACTV

Race 3: Luna Rossa breaks wing control

Monday’s race 3 went to ETNZ as Luna Rossa damaged their wing control system and could not finish. A sheave – the wheel in a pulley – broke in the controls at the bottom of the wing.

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Luna Rossa crew looking for the problem with their wing in race 3. Image: ACTV

Racing continues with ETNZ leading 2-1

Races 4 and 5 are planned for Wednesday. Race 6 is now scheduled on Friday, a reserve day. Racing will continue until one team has scored seven points. For the full schedule, see the updated calendar in the AC Guide.

 

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ETNZ buries bows and 2 crew go overboard

 

ETNZ buries both bows during bearaway.                               Image: ACTV ETNZ buries both bows during bearaway.                               Image: ACTV

Emirates Team New Zealand put half their boat under water and had two crew washed overboard during a bearaway at the windward mark. Both men, grinders Rob Waddell and Chris Ward, were recovered unhurt. Luna Rossa had dropped out of the race with a broken daggerboard lifting system. ETNZ finished the race with nine crew and picked up the first point of the Louis Vuitton Cup final.

The second race of the day was postponed because the upper wind limit was exceeded.

The first team to win seven races wins the Louis Vuitton Cup and races Oracle Team USA in the America’s Cup Match beginning Saturday 7 September.