Disappointing final day for Tudor Team Alinghi
Tudor Team Alinghi ended the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta in Naples on a disappointing final day, ending its challenge for the match-race final.
The Swiss began Sunday third overall, but struggled to move through the fleet in the opening race.
Tudor Team Alinghi responded with a strong start to the final fleet race, leading early before rounding the first gate second. On the following gybe, the board did not come up in time, slowing the boat and contributing to a touchdown. The team dropped back into the pack and was unable to recover.
The results left Tudor Team Alinghi seventh overall on 44 points, level with the three teams immediately ahead. Fourth through seventh were separated on countback, with the final race determining the order.
Across the regatta, two second-place finishes and a third showed the team’s ability to compete at the front of the fleet. Onboard communication and boat speed also improved from the opening preliminary regatta in Sardinia, with the focus now on converting those gains into greater consistency across a full race series.
In the concluding match-race final, Luna Rossa defeated Emirates Team New Zealand to claim victory in the second Preliminary Regatta of the 38th America’s Cup cycle.
The senior sailing team now turns its attention to the AC75 programme, beginning with simulator sessions in Barcelona before the AC75 returns to the water.
Paul Goodison, Skipper and Starboard Helm: “We’re frustrated and disappointed. It feels like a missed opportunity. It was quite a tricky day. We didn’t get the best start on port in the first race and then struggled to get back in phase.”
“We regrouped and had a really nice start in the second one. We were second around the top, and then a self-inflicted mistake with the gybe cost us. It’s a tough way to finish what could have been a great regatta for us. We were only one gybe away from everything looking quite good."
“We showed that we can race with the best guys when we’re putting our best foot forward and racing well. But we also showed that at times we’re a little sloppy, with penalties and mistakes. We’ve got a short runway, so we’ve just got to really focus on improving and debriefing well.”
Dave Endean, Team Director: “The guys nailed the start in the second race and had a great first beat, but the level of competition in this fleet means you can’t make mistakes. There were a couple of small issues on the first run and then a couple more mistakes on the second beat, and we dropped down the ladder.”
“The course was pretty punishing today. The shifts were there to be taken, and if you didn’t get them, you got punished. We made some mistakes, but generally I’m pretty happy with how the team went all weekend, both on shore and on the water.”
All Images © Tudor Team Alinghi/ Samo Vidic