Having touched down in Barcelona just over a week ago it can be confirmed we are well and truly swept up in Cup fever! With the AC37 in full swing, from the classics regattas, UniCredit Youth America’s Cup, and of course the Louis Vuitton Cup (the Challenger Series), the action on the water is non-stop, and the AC off-water strategy games are ramping up too.
On a Sailor Girl, a recap from Barcelona so far is pretty much that it is all systems go with Andoo Team Australia as the youth team prepare for the start of the Unicredit Youth America’s Cup. The team are in the middle of their training block, and are juggling the sailing program with media appearances, and fitting in time to watch the Louis Vuitton Cup teams race to help learn the race track.
The UniCredit Youth America’s Cup officially begins on the 16th of September with the press conference and team presentation on the main stage, before racing commences on the 17th for the Group 1 teams (those with a parent America’s Cup team), with Group 2 (where Andoo Team Australia sits) having their first race on the 18th.
The invited youth teams in Group 2 have been making the most of their practice days as they get up to speed with the AC40 and the venue, as well as official functions, including getting to meet the Mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni. The official side of the Youth and Women’s competitions at AC37 in Barcelona is elevated, bringing a true America’s Cup feel to all invited team, most of who have their own mini bases at Port Olimpic where the Youth & Women are racing from.
The first practice day out on the water started with safety training for all invited teams to check off the boat operations, with two invited team sailors paired off with two Group 1 team sailors to make sure they ticked off the competencies needed to race an AC40. The Aussies have been paired with Emirates Team NZ, who chose to share their boat with us. With only three practice days before the first day of racing it’s a steep, or “vertical” learning curve for these teams as the Skipper Cole Tapper has said many a time.
The Andoo Team Australia Women’s squad have also arrived in Barcelona. They will be practicing out on the water following the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup to prepare for the start of the Puig Women’s America’s Cup on the 4th of October. The Women’s competition follows the same grouping structure as the Youth – we’ll bring you more on that as they hit the water!
Back to the main event – the Louis Vuitton Cup Round Robin wrapped up early this week, having been underway since the end of August with Ineos Britannia, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, NYYC American Magic and Alinghi Red Bull Racing all advancing this week to the semi-finals of the Louis Vuitton Cup. As is the way we sadly had to bid one team farewell, with Orient Express Racing heading home.
What had looked like a fairly foregone conclusion heading into the last few days of Round Robin 2 was turned on it’s head as the conditions served up dramatic twists. Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli had looked set to secure the top place heading into the final races, but some unexpected losses (mostly through faulty software) saw them facing Ineos Brittania in a sail off, with Ineos taking the win to top the table.
NYYC American Magic and Orient Express Racing were out warming up on the second last day of the Round Robin and both had damage in various respects. Paul Goodison walked over an open hatch injuring five ribs. He is likely going to miss at least the start of the Louis Vuitton Semi Final series. Orient Express meanwhile spun out, and damaged their bow. There was a rush to complete repairs for racing, however, the day was eventually abandoned due to storms and variable conditions.
The rush continued the following day, and unfortunately was a part of the biggest news of Round Robin 2. Alinghi Red Bull Racing staged a huge turn around to take three wins total, and a place in the Semi Finals.
We will be doing daily live stream previews on racing days in both the morning and interviews post racing to keep you up to date with all the exciting news and the current performance of all the teams which you can watch via our Facebook page here, and there will be plenty of images and vision across all our social channels.
For Andoo Team Australia updates keep your eyes on SailorGirl HQ channels (we’re the Official Content Partner).
