Oracle Team USA leads the way
After England and Portsmouth, where Land Rover Ben Ainslie Racing won on home soil, it was Sweden that hosted the six competing teams. On the first day, Oracle Team USA won, just ahead of Land Rover-BAR and Emirates New Zealand. The American team won the first two races of the opening day of the Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series.
Artemis Racing, which is playing at home âeuros but has never raced in Göteborg âeuros finishes in last position of this provisional ranking after the first day of competition. Indeed, the Swedish team crashed after the arrival of the first race, damaging its foils. They were able to take part in the second race, but with a reduced capacity.
The revenge of the Kiwis
On Sunday, August 30, the second day of competition was played. At the end of the first race, it was Artemis Racing who took the victory. Emirates Team New Zealand won the second race, and with double the points for this race, it was the Kiwis who won the second round of qualifying in Gothenburg.
The New Zealanders were led by skipper Glenn Ashby and helmsman prodigy Peter Burling. While Team Oracle USA led the provisional standings on Saturday, their two fourth-place finishes in Sunday's race dropped them to second place. "We are disappointed." said skipper Jimmt Spithill.
Land Rover-BAR won the first series in Portsmouth, but two second places on Saturday and a poor start in Sunday's final race now puts them in third place. "It's frustrating, but that's the nature of this sport. We are happy to be on the podium." admitted skipper Ben Ainslie.
Softbank finished in fourth place, giving a boost in the final. "The goal today was to get the best starts and get around the first mark in good shape, and we did that." said skipper Dean Barker. "It doesn't translate into the results of the first race, but in the second race today, we were successful."
Groupama Team France was also looking for a positive sign. The team that raced without its regular tactician, Arnaud Psarofaghis, still managed to find the right tactics for the day. "It was good to finish third in the last race," said skipper Franck Cammas. "It took a long time to find a good way to sail downwind, which held us back. Today was tactically difficult. Even if you start well the game comes after the start. But we managed with Thierry Fouchier, on tactics, and myself and to take a little more time to think because the wind was light."
While for Artemis Racing the day started well, it did not end well. An inspiring win in the first race was followed by a last place finish in the last race.
Results of the Göteborg race
- Emirates Team NZ - 54
- Oracle Team USA - 48
- Land Rover-BAR - 46
- SoftBank Team Japan - 43
- Artemis Racing - 42
- Groupama Team France 37
Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series Overall Standings
- Emirates Team New Zealand - 72
- Land Rover-BAR - 65
- Oracle Team USA - 64
- SoftBank Team Japan - 56
- Artemis Racing - 53
- Groupama Team France - 50
