“Referees saw it differently”
Penalty slows England’s comeback in the America’s Cup
October 13, 2024, 5:47 p.m
The America’s Cup is developing into a one-sided affair: the third race also goes to defending champions Emirates New Zealand. Challenger Ineos Britannia is slowed down by a penalty before the start of the race.
Defending champions Emirates New Zealand remain on course for victory in the 37th America’s Cup. The “Kiwis” also won the third race off the coast of Barcelona after their double victory the day before. With the fourth race postponed due to calm, the New Zealanders go into the second day with a comfortable 3-0 lead over challenger team Ineos Britannia from the United Kingdom.
Before the only race on the second day of the sailing competition for the world’s oldest sports trophy, the Brits, who were already under a lot of pressure, also had to accept a 75-meter penalty, which knocked the team back straight back in what was initially still a strong wind. During a maneuver before the start of the race, sailing icon Ben Ainslie’s Ineos Britannia came too close to the opposing boat.
“It was close, I thought it was okay,” said Ainslee, but “the referees saw it differently.” And Kiwi skipper Peter Burling, who became the youngest helmsman to win the trophy in 2017 at the age of 26, admitted he was “uncomfortable” with “how tight it was.” The British were also unable to take advantage of the optimal conditions for an overtaking maneuver; in the end, the gap was around 50 seconds.
The newly scheduled fourth race is on the program on Monday, followed by rounds five and six on Wednesday. The sailing is in a best-of-13 mode, so the New Zealanders are only missing four wins from the maximum ten remaining duels. The British had previously prevailed in the challenger regattas against competition from Italy, the USA, France and Switzerland.