After a no-race day on Friday, Barcelona was visited by strong winds overnight, which are expected to leave behind a significant residual seaway. The size of the seastate is bigger than would be justified by todays expected windstrength of 8-12kts from a southerly direction. However the direction of the breeze will maintain the swell size rather than work against it.
Overnight winds of 20kts gusting 25kts were recorded at the Arts Hotel alongside the America's Cup course. The increased winds kicked in around 4.00pm and lasted until midnight. At Olimpic Port, the wind was recorded as being around 15-20kts, from an easterly direction (onshore), from midday Friday until 3.00am. Since that time the breeze is recorded as having dropped to 7.5-10kts through to dawn.
This will be the first time the AC75s will experience this condition in the Louis Vuitton Cup. Fortuitously it is expected to be aligned with the breeze, and not off-axis.
Flight controllers allowing the AC75s too fly high, could pay the penalty of a sudden nosedive, or wash-out particularly if the rudder T-Foil starts trying to operate clear of the water.
It is hard to predict individual boat performance as we haven't seen the AC75s compete against each other in recorded racing. Further the results really hang on crew performance and errors - which have been the determining factor in all races sailed to date, rather then boatspeed.
Today is probably going to determine the first team to exit the Louis Vuitton Cup.
Essentially bottom placed Orient Express Racing team has to win the third Match of the day against American Magic. Alinghi Red Bull Racing has to win one of its Matches against INEOS Britannia or Emirates Team New Zealand to go into Sunday with a place assured in the Semi Finals.
Racing Programme for Saturday September 7, 2024
Match 22: USA vs ITA Start: 14:10 Port: USA Stbd: ITA
Match 23: GBR vs SUI Start: time to be announced Port: GBR Stbd: SUI
Match 26: USA vs FRA Start: time to be announced Port: USA Stbd: FRA
Match 27: NZL vs SUI Start: time to be announced Port: NZL Stbd: SUI
Match 25: ITA vs GBR Start: time to be announced Port: ITA Stbd: GBR
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