Artemis Racing | San Francisco on the Bay

Sweden to Face Off New Zealand in the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Challenger Playoffs Finals

In the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Challenger Playoffs Semi-Finals, though they had capsized on Day 3, the Kiwis’ prevailed Day 4, taking the win in their last race against Land Rover BAR. Great Britain is out. Artemis is in the lead with 4 points to SoftBank’s 3 points. All Artemis needs to do is win one race to win the Semi-Finals and move onto the Finals against New Zealand.

Photo/Giles Martin-Raget

Prior to today’s races, Artemis’ Nathan Outteridge commented about the 25 knot winds, “Our boat is better in lighter winds.” And Dean Barker said the SoftBank team “…needs to keep pushing to sail the boat fast around the course.” Lucky for Artemis the winds diminished to 19 knots. Going out to the start, Team Japan collided with something – a rock, a buoy – we never knew what. Commentators were wondering how that upset affected the boat, not to mention the team.

In what ended up being the final Semi-Final race today, June 9, Artemis and Team Japan hit the start with Japan slightly ahead of Artemis, up on their foils first and shooting straight ahead at 45 knots. They got the start they wanted. Both boats’ speeds were really good; they were only 16 meters apart. It was like a big drag race out there. At one point at the edge of the race course, Artemis tacked and Japan had to stay clear. Japan delayed their tack and almost collided with Artemis, who called for a penalty. None was levied. But this was not good for Japan, as Artemis took the lead before Gate 3 and held onto it past Gate 6 to the FINISH. It was over for Japan and helmsman Dean Barker. But for helmsman Outteridge – the team was stoked. “That was a tough race and to come back the boys really had to dig in. We’re really happy to take it to the next round and we’re going to be ready to go tomorrow.” The Swedes go onto the Finals against the Kiwis.

Photo/Ricardo Pinto

Sat., June 10, helmsman Nathan Outteridge and Artemis Racing will face helmsman Peter Burling and Emirates Team New Zealand in the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Challenger Playoffs Finals, beginning at 14:08 local time in Bermuda and 10am here on the NBCSN app. The winds are predicted to be lighter maybe going from 15 knots down to 5. Will Outteridge prevail?

The winner of the Finals advances to the America’s Cup Match against ORACLE TEAM USA.

It is exhilarating to watch these fantastic sailing teams amidst near collisions, penalties at the start, broken wing sails and even capsizing. Catch the energy and watch the capsize. Stay tuned tomorrow.

Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Playoffs Semi-Finals, Day 3 – Emirates Team New Zealand Capsize Photo/Ricardo Pinto

Day One No Wind – Races Canceled. Day Two of Semi-Finals Marred by Broken Wing

Leading up to the first day of racing in the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Challenger Playoffs Semi-Finals:

in the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Qualifier races, ORACLE TEAM USA placed first and takes one point with them to the America’s Cup match. Emirates Team New Zealand came in second. The French team has been eliminated and the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Challenger Playoffs

Peter Burling, ETNZ helmsman, Day 1 – Dock Out show Photo/Ricardo Pinto

Semi-Finals start on June 4.

Because they were second in the Qualifiers, ETNZ was allowed to choose their race mate. They chose Land Rover BAR, who had come in third. This leaves SoftBank Team Japan to face off Artemis Racing in the Semi-Finals

Both of the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Challenger Playoffs Semi-Finals will be decided by a first to five points race format, with the winners of each Semi-Final then facing each other in the Finals of the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Challenger Playoffs. The winner goes on to challenge the Defender ORACLE TEAM USA.

SoftBank Team Japan, Day 1 – Dock Out show Photo/Ricardo Pinto

Sunday:

On Sun., June 4, Semi-Final Racing was delayed due to light winds of only 2-3 knots. The winds did pick up towards the 6knot minimum, but not consistently. Racing was abandoned after two hours of waiting around.

Broken wingsail Photo/Giles Martin-Raget

Monday:

It started out as a day of highly competitive and exhilarating racing but provided heartbreak for Ben Ainslie and his team.

Mon., June 5, the winds are perfect at 14 – 15 knots across the Great Sound. New Zealand and Great Britain off to a strong start and GB cannot make any mistakes. And they did more than make a mistake. The camber arm broke in their sail and they had to stop and forfeit Race 1 to ETNZ.

Photo/Giles Martin-Raget

In the second race Artemis Racing and SoftBank Team Japan had similar starts, but Japan took off. Maneuver smoothness was very important and JPN took the point in their first Semi-Final race.

Land Rover BAR tried to get back to shore and change out their sail before Race 2, but could not, and had to forfeit again to ETNZ.

Race 4 Japan had a great solid start and then Sweden and Japan both were just ripping it across the water at 30 plus knots. Japan at one point was 200 meters ahead, but by the 4^th leg after some solid maneuvers and excellent tacking, Artemis ended up 300 m ahead of SoftBank and grabbed the win.

The day ends with NZ taking 2 wins and JPN and SW 1 win each. The first teams to reach 5 wins will then be in the Challenger Playoffs Finals.

Land Rover BAR plans to be back out on the Great Sound racing on Tuesday. “We have forfeited racing today due to damage to our wing, we will be back tomorrow (Tuesday) to fight another day,” the British team said on Twitter. According to America’s Cup rules, they are allowed to use a spare sail.

Day 2 – Land Rover BAR forced to retire to repair a damage to their wing Photo/Giles Martin-Raget