INEOS AC 2-0

[Laser310]

Since Ineos came back from last place to finish first, I’m assuming that American Magic will do the same. Which is silly.

well, INEOs led once the racing started.

AM are 0-2, and that's not the worst of it..

AM looked deflated, without competitive spirit - at least they did at the only opportunities they had to demonstrate that they wanted to win, which was in the prestart.

 

[matt1]

It's not impossible but the pressure must be immense knowing that tomorrow you could be packing up and going home (assuming there are two races tomorrow - I've not followed the schedule)

 

[Kukri]

Suspect I may not be the only person to have secretly hoped that the trophy might go back to the New York Yacht Club, who are now looking like the standard model British challenger - nice try but not even close.

Oh well, I promise that “in the unlikely event” that Ainslie & Co. win, I will not call the man behind it “Ratfink” for as long as he retains it.

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

I'm managing to convince myself that there's something wrong with the control system. The things I mentioned above and the inexplicable coming off the foils. If DB knew that he had a big problem that could explain why he ran away and hid pre-start. Couldn't afford to tangle, so wait and start close second. Doesn't explain the lack of wriggle when we all know that Luna Rossa isn't big on covering.

 

[Laser310]

I'm managing to convince myself that there's something wrong with the control system. The things I mentioned above and the inexplicable coming off the foils. If DB knew that he had a big problem that could explain why he ran away and hid pre-start. Couldn't afford to tangle, so wait and start close second. Doesn't explain the lack of wriggle when we all know that Luna Rossa isn't big on covering.

The starts weren't all that close, but we will see in a few hours...

If there is something wrong (seems possible), and they manage to fix it (probably a little less possible), then maybe they have a chance

Forecast is 16-20kts, and I think they are racing on the same course as yesterday.

The wind is still SSW so post-frontal, which means gusty, but probably less so than yesterday.

It would be cool to see a comeback, and we would get to see more racing, but I'm not sure I would like to see INEOS go against NYYC after that kind of a comeback.., when INEOS haven't been racing for a few weeks...

 

[Wansworth]

Not so much racing as follow my leader.....

 

[bedouin]

AM didn't really seem to be trying - perhaps they weren't 100% confident in some aspects of their boat but given it is first to 4 it is odd for them not to be trying a bit harder - need a miracle for them to come back from here I am afraid

LR on the other hand looked majestic - very different from the boat that lost to INEOS last weekend. The final is anything but a foregone conclusion

 

[Wansworth]

But what’s upwith America’s starts?

 

[Mudisox]

I got the impression that there was considerable vibration on the steering wheel of AM. Certainly on comparing it with before the capsize. Or was it just the extra speed?

 

[Laser310]

Forecast is 16-20kts, and I think they are racing on the same course as yesterday.

Evidently I was looking at yesterday's forecast - confused by the dates I guess...

Today is NE 7-10.., so completely different!

I think that's a light sea breeze.

still, it should be interesting - both boats were okay in the light winds in the WS racing, if I recall correctly.

 

[Knig]

AM looked as if the control system was acting up. They seemed unable to control the heel properly as they powered up, and at the top of leg 1 in race 2 the main went from just below centre to well to windward during the bear away.

I noticed that as well, if you look at both races the trav was to windward quite a few times.

 

[bignick]

I got the impression that there was considerable vibration on the steering wheel of AM. Certainly on comparing it with before the capsize. Or was it just the extra speed?

Have a look at the videos from the Christmas cup or the round robins. You will see massive vibration then. If anything it looks to be reduced now, but they may have just added a physical damping system. Almost certainly caused by vortex shedding which you really wouldn’t want on your control surfaces.

 

[Kukri]

Have a look at the videos from the Christmas cup or the round robins. You will see massive vibration then. If anything it looks to be reduced now, but they may have just added a physical damping system. Almost certainly caused by vortex shedding which you really wouldn’t want on your control surfaces.

Huge problem, no time to do anything now.

 

[Mudisox]

Well that's it then!
I am glad I went to bed after the 1st win last night.

 

[bedouin]

Well that's it then!
I am glad I went to bed after the 1st win last night.

Much better watching it on catch up in the morning.

A bit of an anti-climax wasn't it AM hardly seemed to be in it either mentally or in the boat and the final board failure just crowned what has been a pretty disappointing series.

I think the final is going to be much more exciting. LR seemed to have progressed since their losses to INEOS so let's hope INEOS have made a few improvements of their own

 

[dunedin]

I think the final is going to be much more exciting. LR seemed to have progressed since their losses to INEOS so let's hope INEOS have made a few improvements of their own

It is good for INEOS that LR won so quickly and with little competition, as means LR got less race practice.

But the way LR seemed to be able to sail higher and faster away from the start line must be a tactical worry for INEOS.

 

[bedouin]

It is good for INEOS that LR won so quickly and with little competition, as means LR got less race practice.

But the way LR seemed to be able to sail higher and faster away from the start line must be a tactical worry for INEOS.

On the other hand LR are clearly less competitive down wind with AM matching them or taking time off them on those legs.

Really hard to guess what the relative performance will be in 2 weeks time. I suspect the LR we have seen this weekend is better than the INEOS we saw a week ago but then INEOS have 3 weeks shed time to make improvements of their own

 

[Wansworth]

Well that's it then!
I am glad I went to bed after the 1st win last night.

Saves me watching it now??

 

[LONG_KEELER]

That whining sound from the hydraulics, reminds me of a ghost train at a fairground.

At least AM can take home they were leading LR before the capsize . We will never know if the original boat
could have beaten them today. Takes some of the pressure off and good luck to them for giving it a go.

 

[Ningaloo]

It strikes me that there has been very little close competitive racing so far.
The pre-Christmas races, when INEOS could hardly get onto their foils, were the first opportunity for these boats to really attempt match racing and as such it was to be expected that there would be lots of learning going on.
The round robins showed so much promise, only for the series to be so severely shortened by the loss of Patriot. I doubt that many will be surprised that the semis were so one sided, despite the amazing achievements of the American Magic team to get the boat back in the water. What is clear is that both INEOS and Prada have been able to evolve rapidly and now look very controlled in flight and the manoeuvres. Meanwhile NZ are still pushing hard out on their practice sails.
The last two RR races between INEOS and Prada show the sort of aggressive racing that we might expect in the Prada Cup. I for one am looking forward to this with great anticipation.