Ben Ainslie, skipper of Ineos Britannia, acknowledged New Zealand’s dominance after they secured the America’s Cup for a third consecutive time, defeating the British team 7:2 in Barcelona. Despite a brief rally by the British, the Kiwis showcased superior sailing skills, particularly in light winds. With a well-prepared boat and skilled crew, including Olympic champions, New Zealand remained formidable. Concerns arise over the future competitiveness of the Cup, prompting suggestions for changes to enhance race excitement.
“We faced the finest team in America’s Cup history,” reflected Ben Ainslie, the captain of Ineos Britannia, after his team’s defeat. The New Zealand crew secured their third consecutive America’s Cup title with a decisive 7:2 victory over the British challengers in the final series held in Barcelona.
Earlier in the week, the British team managed to close the gap to 2:4 with two impressive wins. However, this was short-lived, merely a flicker of hope before the inevitable conclusion. Notably, Team New Zealand’s rare slip-ups during those losses were unexpected, as they typically perform exceptionally well. Following a day without racing, the Kiwis returned to the water with relentless determination.
The Unbeatable Team in Light Winds
The New Zealand crew, featuring helmsmen Peter Burling and Nathan Outteridge, along with pilots Blair Tuke and Andrew Maloney, demonstrated their dominance throughout the competition. Burling, Tuke, and Maloney were integral to their previous Cup victories in Bermuda (2017) and Auckland (2021).
Outteridge, a celebrated Olympic champion and multiple world champion, joined the team and proved to be an excellent addition. Shortly after one of their victories, he remarked on-air, “We’re good, we’re really good,” encapsulating their prowess.
In the final series against Great Britain, the New Zealanders showcased exceptional skill. They outperformed the competition both upwind and downwind, executing maneuvers with grace and precision. Their boat demonstrated superior acceleration and speed, a result of meticulous setup and outstanding design work.
Team New Zealand’s remarkable ability to excel in light wind conditions, which favored them throughout the series, was noted by Dimitri Despierres from the Swiss syndicate Alinghi. He expressed concern, stating, “In light winds, the Kiwis have a clear advantage,” suggesting the match could end overwhelmingly in their favor.
The British team, particularly skipper Ben Ainslie, must feel the sting of their clear defeat deeply. Ainslie, a four-time Olympic champion, was driven by the ambition to win the prestigious Cup and create history for a nation known for its seafaring legacy.
Challenges in Boat Design and Preparation
It remains unclear how the British team managed to misjudge their design strategy. They anticipated encountering stronger winds and more challenging waves in October. In the two races they won, their boat “Rita” seemed competitive in rough seas, maintaining pace against the Kiwis.
The newly designed AC75 boats had only one regatta beforehand, placing newcomers like Alinghi at a systematic disadvantage during the competition. This lack of preparation was critically noted by challengers, likely contributing to early eliminations.
With New Zealand’s growing dominance, there is concern that potential challengers may shy away from competing due to the perceived impossibility of winning. As defenders of the America’s Cup, they bear a responsibility to ensure the competition remains engaging and attracts new supporters.
Grant Dalton, CEO of Team New Zealand, seems aware of this challenge. He indicated that they might reduce the cycling crew to two in the next event in favor of introducing more traditional sailors. This change would necessitate enhancing battery capacity to manage sails and appendages and could lead to more thrilling races.
Dalton deserves recognition for promoting the women’s America’s Cup, which has been well-received. Also, the AC40 training boats have proven popular, offering dynamic and entertaining fleet races that captured public interest.
Discussions are ongoing about whether future AC75 pre-regattas should be conducted as fleet races, potentially enhancing viewer engagement.
Regardless of the format or timing of the next America’s Cup, which may occur in two years, the New Zealand team is poised for continued success. Drawing a parallel to their formidable national rugby union team, they stand as the “All Blacks” of the America’s Cup, reminiscent of how Alinghi’s Ernesto Bertarelli once referred to them as “the Brazilians of sailing.”