New Zealand win first two races against Great Britain in America’s Cup – as it happened
By Dominic Booth,
13 hours ago
Ineos Britannia and Emirates Team New Zealand in action during race 1. Photograph: Albert Gea/Reuters
4.31pm BST
Here’s Andy Bull’s report from the opening day in Barcelona.
And with that, I’ll wrap up this live blog of the action. Fear not: we shall have all the updates from day two and races three and four. Thanks very much for tuning in.
Well, we do it all over again tomorrow at the same venue, on the same track, with two more races – weather permitting, of course. Monday is a reserve day. But all being well the third race day should be Wednesday.
Theoretically, New Zealand could wrap the trophy up on Friday if they complete a clean sweep of races. 7-0 would be enough for them to retain the America’s Cup. Ben Ainslie and GB will be hoping to take it all the way until the final race day, which is Monday 21 October. There’s still time for things to swing back Britain’s way.
4.03pm BST
Here’s that New Zealand reaction:
3.58pm BST
Well, it’s not been the ideal start for the British boats today. Hannah Mills and the Athena Pathway team were edged out in the inaugural Women’s America’s Cup, which was won by Italy.
And Sir Ben Ainslie’s crew on board Ineos Britannia have come up against sailing’s answer to the All Blacks, Emirates Team New Zealand, who have just been a cut above so far, rarely making a mistake and seemingly having a bit more speed than the Brits.
It’s only day one, there’s a potential 11 further races to come, but it’s advantage New Zealand as it stands.
3.54pm BST
“An awesome effort by the whole group,” says New Zealand’s Peter Burling.
Time for his team to grab a deserved rest.
Sir Ben Ainslie isn’t too happy. “Credit to the Kiwis for two really good races,” he says. “We couldn’t quite match them around the track but we’re confident we can come back tomorrow and get some scores on the board.”
3.52pm BST
New Zealand win second race and lead 2-0
No huge histrionics from the Emirates Team New Zealand crew, but they should be mightily pleased with what they’ve done today in Barcelona. A near-flawless performance in the opening two races to take firm control.
Ineos Britannia haven’t done much wrong but they’ve been outdone here so far on the opening day of the America’s Cup final.
3.51pm BST
Leg 8: The British boat has closed the gap somewhat but it’s not going to be enough. 2-0 New Zealand incoming.
Updated at 4.17pm BST
3.47pm BST
It’s started to get away from the chasers, Ineos Britannia, now, with Rob Wilson admitting the Brits are “waiting for a slip-up” from New Zealand.
The defending champions have never really looked like making a mistake in the past couple of legs. Leg 8 to come.
3.43pm BST
Leg 6: It’s been a matter of metres and seconds separating the two yachts in this race, but New Zealand appear to be opening up a healthy gap now. They’ve got the wind pressure, which can be vital.
3.38pm BST
There’s eight legs in this second race, by the way. At the halfway mark, it’s still very close with Ineos Britannia cutting New Zealand’s lead.
Time for leg 5.
3.34pm BST
Leg 4: 1-0 down will be a familiar scoreline for Ineos and Sir Jim Ratcliffe given their football interests of late… but this is a performance in the second race so far that is full of character and perseverance – everything Manchester United are currently lacking.
Sorry, I had to get at least one United reference in there. New Zealand hold a slender advantage.
3.30pm BST
Leg 3: You cannot take your eyes off this race. It’s a far more competitive, close and exciting affair than the one-sided opener. Team New Zealand suddenly find themselves in a contest.
Updated at 3.34pm BST
3.28pm BST
Leg 2: Ineos Britannia continues to look rapid downwind – the British team loves the wind in its sails, as the organisers slightly shorten the course for this second leg. It’s still too close to call.
3.26pm BST
It’s absolutely neck-and-neck as the two teams cross paths – narrowly missing each other – a couple of times before they complete this first leg.
Team New Zealand are just 30m in front. Eeesh.
3.23pm BST
Leg 1: Team New Zealand slightly had the better of that pre-start exchange but the British team started quickly. “Steady!” is the shout from the Kiwis, who are 40m back at the moment.
3.22pm BST
The battle for position at the start was a colossal one – and so fascinating to watch. With the wind picking up, the two high-octane AC75 boats found had some tacking to do, with Ineos Britannia looking pretty good at this stage, it must be said, trying to lock out the Kiwi boat at the start line.
Leg 1 is go.
Updated at 3.31pm BST
3.20pm BST
Ben Ainslie was coy on the problems Ineos Britannia had at the outset of the first race. It was a battery issue, we know that. We also know how vital the start of each race is in the America’s Cup.
The race organisers have given the shout for both teams to set sail, quite literally, on the second race of a possible 13. Pre-start position may prove key.
3.18pm BST
Right, we’re not far off that second race now. The wind looks a lot healthier off the coast of Port Vell, Barcelona than it was earlier. The British team will have reflected on that opening defeat and will want to come out firing on all cylinders.
Updated at 3.18pm BST
3.05pm BST
We’re now waiting for race two in the battle between Great Britain and New Zealand in the men’s competition.
I’ll take a short break now until that race is nearly upon us.
Updated at 3.29pm BST
2.57pm BST
“Massively well done to the Italian team,” says GB’s Hannah Mills. “I’m super proud of all the competitors.
“It’s been a long and amazing campaign, we’ve put so much into this. Thanks to our friends at Ineos Britannia, too, who have helped us on this journey. I’m so proud to be part of this first ever women’s event.”
2.53pm BST
Italy win Women's America's Cup
Congratulations to Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli. There are screams of delight on the Italian boat as they cross the line – they’re the first ever female winners of the America’s Cup.
The British team just came up short in the end, eight seconds to be precise. This will hurt for them but they’ve done themselves proud to reach the final.
It’s not been a great start for the British crews, in truth.
Updated at 3.21pm BST
2.50pm BST
Into the final leg. Remember this is a winner-takes-all final race – there will be no more opportunities. The first ever Women’s America’s Cup is coming to a conclusion.
Italy are still in the ascendancy.
2.45pm BST
The British yacht is gaining on the leaders, metre-by-metre. This is so, so tight. The gap is less than 100m as we prepare for the final two legs.
2.44pm BST
We’re into leg four of this Women’s America’s Cup final and Italy still have the advantage. Both crews are working hard under darkening skies in Barcelona.
2.38pm BST
The Italians hold a very narrow lead at this stage, but the Athena Pathway, AKA British, team are not far away. This is much tighter than the opening race of the men’s event, currently in the second of six legs.
Updated at 3.18pm BST
2.30pm BST
Women’s Americas Cup: Britain and Italy contest the inaugural Women’s America’s Cup final today in Barcelona too, with Hannah Mills leading the Athena Pathway team.
There’s history all over the place today. We’ll bring you reaction to that America’s Cup first race and updates from the women’s event.
2.28pm BST
An advantage of 420 metres (and 41 seconds) amounts to a pretty stonking win for New Zealand in that opening race. They’re a virtually unstoppable machine on the waves.
Updated at 2.32pm BST
2.24pm BST
Sir Ben Ainslie admitted Ineos Britannia didn’t get a great start to the race but is full of praise for Emirates Team New Zealand.
He says the British team will evaluate their performance and “keep pushing” later today and in the races to come next week.
2.22pm BST
New Zealand skipper Peter Burling: “Always a bit nervous sitting and waiting for the wind at the start, and it wasn’t straightforward, but we managed to stay in control.
Nathan Outteridge: “It was quite a dynamic race but it was good to get a clear start. Very happy to get the win in the first race. This is what we’ve been working three years for.”
2.18pm BST
New Zealand win first race of America's Cup
1-0 to the defender.
Emirates Team New Zealand started the stronger and never relinquished their lead, expertly holding off the challenger, the British yacht, as the wind changed significantly throughout that race.
A really tough start for Ineos Britannia, who find themselves down early on. It is only the start, mind you. There’s a lot more sailing to come.
2.14pm BST
Final leg: The wind is dropping somewhat, with Britain struggling to tack in the dirty air. This looks to be done.
2.11pm BST
Rob Wilson on the Ineos Britannia boat admits the British team “had a few issues with the batteries” [needed to work the foils] early on, which put them on the back foot immediately. He believes his team are '“edging in there, but the Kiwis are making it tough – they’ve got their elbows out and it’s hard to get around them”.
The gap is now at around 350m.
2.08pm BST
It’s fascinating just to listen to the comms from both crews as they negotiate the wind and the seas in perfect harmony.
We’re into the final two legs of this opening race now, with New Zealand still holding a comfortable lead. Remember first to seven race wins will take home the America’s Cup.
2.04pm BST
Leg 4: The defenders are defending supremely, with New Zealand especially expert upwind, holding off the British boat. This race might be getting out of reach for Sir Ben Ainslie’s team – unless they pull off something miraculous.
2.02pm BST
Leg 3: The Team New Zealand boat is still riding well above the waves and the lead is extending again. It’s up past the 300m mark.
1.59pm BST
It’s been a great second leg downwind for the British team as both teams manoeuvre and turn back upwind. Team New Zealand are still holding strong, mind.
Into the third leg now.
1.56pm BST
Leg 2: Ineos Britannia is picking up speed, taking a different route to Team New Zealand, whose lead is being cut slightly in the past few moments. Looks like the Brits are getting more wind pressure now.
1.54pm BST
Leg 1: Team New Zealand have an advantage of around 100m, which they are holding, thanks to the breeze coming in from the left of both boats. It’s out towards 200m now.
The organisers are lengthening the course, which is a good sign re the wind, which is getting stronger all the time now.
Updated at 2.17pm BST
1.52pm BST
We're under way
Let’s go.
1.42pm BST
“The wind is building,” say the race organisers. The projected start time is now 1.50pm, UK time.
This must be agony for the two teams, who are still primed and ready. It’s a game of patience.
1.34pm BST
A potential start time of 1.40pm has been pushed back a little further until 1.45pm as the wind limit hasn’t been reached – it needs to average 6.5 knots.
The fans’ village in Barcelona is packed with Union Jacks; the British fans are out in force on this historic occasion. Gah, hopefully this doesn’t take too long.
1.28pm BST
British sailing fans have waited 60 years for the chance to compete for the America’s Cup.
Unfortunately the weather in Barcelona means that wait is going on a little longer right now.
1.14pm BST
The British crew are “fired up” and keen to get racing, says Ineos coach Rob Wilson. It must be infuriating to just sit there in the boat waiting to get going. Team New Zealand say they are “optimistic” that we’ll get some sailing today.
Waiting for the breeze, eh.
1.09pm BST
Start delayed due to lack of wind
The wind is currently a little too light to start racing. Alas, that’s the nature of sailing. Let’s hope it picks up sufficiently.
Updated at 4.37pm BST
1.06pm BST
“Starts are always key in match racing,” Sir Ben tells Georgie Thompson on TNT Sports.
“We expect the Kiwis to be feisty in the pre-start. Then it’s about evaluating the performance of the two boats and it’s the first to win seven.
“We’ve got a very proud sporting and maritime heritage in Britain and we want to right that wrong. At the same time, we don’t want to switch anything up massively, we can go all the way. There’s a lot of noise but many of us have been through similar situations in the past.”
1.03pm BST
Please do get in touch on email – as Jeremy Boyce has just done:
“Hi Dom,” he says. “Looking forward to some great racing today on these new super-tech boats. I have a friend working on a big yacht who is there and she sent some great videos of the LV challenger series. It’s incredible what technical advancement can achieve, in terms of speeds especially, but [Ben] Ainslie expressed it well in his interview saying that it had all become very push-button now, rather than hands on ropes.
“The tech is very impressive, including the real-time tech support in-race, but the thing is, they’re not really sail boats anymore, are they?”
Alas, no, Jeremy, I think foil boats and high-tech sailing are here to stay.
As Jeremy adds: “You’re not actually sitting on the water, navigating the contours, you’re flying above it. And if you are actually on the water for a few seconds it may well cost you the race.”
12.50pm BST
A message from the main man:
12.42pm BST
A slight adjustment to my earlier post: the first race will commence at 1.15pm BST, which is 2.15pm local time (CET) in Barcelona.
The stage (sea) is set.
12.35pm BST
It’s only the 37th edition of the America’s Cup, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a sporting trophy with a greater, richer history. The first ever competition in 1851 was won by the only American ship in the field, hence its swift name change.
Other than a little bit of rain in the air, conditions are looking good for sailing.
12.21pm BST
Ben Ainslie: It’s a really proud moment for us. We’ve been going for 10 years to get ourselves into this final, so what an opportunity this is. We’re going to give it everything we’ve got.
Why?. It speaks for itself doesn’t it? Britain is a very proud sporting nation, and has a very proud maritime history, and this Cup is the one thing that’s missing. That’s why. The fact that Britain has never won the America’s Cup is what drives us.
Teams must first compete in a series of regattas, culminating in the Louis Vuitton Cup, which determines the main event’s challenger. This year’s matchup will see Team New Zealand as the defender take on Ineos Britannia after the Britons won the right to challenge New Zealand by beating Italy’s Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli comfortably in the decisive race . The current format features a best of 13 series; the first to win seven races takes home the Cup. This year’s edition begins with the first two races on 12 October. After that, the third and fourth races are set for 13 October. Subsequent races will occur on 16 October for the fifth and sixth races and on 18 October for the seventh. If necessary, the eighth race will be held on 18 October, the ninth and 10th on 19 October, the 11th and 12th on 20 October. The final race, if required, will take place on 21 October.
12.08pm BST
Preamble
Here we go: it’s the oldest trophy in sport, it’s a potential 13 races on the seas of Barcelona and it’s a British team masterminded by Sir Ben Ainslie and Sir Jim Ratcliffe going up against the ‘All Blacks of the Sea’, defenders New Zealand. Can Ineos Britannia rule the waves against Team New Zealand, led Peter Burling, a two-time Cup winner and Olympic gold medallist?
The first race gets under way at 1pm BST and the second will also take place in Port Vell, off the Barceloneta beachfront, this afternoon. We’ve got 173 years of sporting history on the line in the coming days, with Great Britain looking to land their first ever America’s Cup, competing in their first ‘final’ for 60 years.
And if you’re new to sailing and the competition, we’ve got the best place for you to start:
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