On Thursday, June 8, Artemis Racing, skippered by Nathan Outteridge, scored just 1 point against Softbank Team Japan. However, the first to qualify would be the first to reach 5 points. The next day was therefore crucial for the Swedish team.
On Friday, June 9, Outteridge and his team won four consecutive races, making it 5-3 for the Japanese. They therefore qualify for the Challenger Playoff Finals, against Emirates Team New Zealand .
"Absolutely happy." was Outteridge's reaction on board immediately after the race. " It was a tough race and to get back the guys had to really dig in. We're really happy to get to the next lap and we'll be ready to go, starting tomorrow."
The Swedes will now take on New Zealand on Saturday 10 June on the Great Sound in Bermuda from 14:08 (local time). The winner of the Louis Vuitton America's Cup Challenger Playoffs will be the one who races against Oracle Team USA, the Cup defender, on the Great Sound in Bermuda America's Cup Match.
For Softbank Team Japan, this defeat marks the end of the 4 e japanese challenge in America's Cup history. Each (1992, 1995, 1999 and 2017) having failed in the semi-finals of the challengers. Kazuhiko "Fuku" Sofuku, General Manager and Challenge Manager, who was also a navigator on the 95 and 99 challenges, explained that it was the most rewarding experience.
"I hope this will have a big impact for the Japanese and for navigation in Japan", he said. "I hope we're sending a good message back to the Japanese. We worked hard and from day one we had a winning spirit. Nothing is impossible!"
"I'm disappointed I won't be running tomorrow." said Japan Challenge captain Dean Barker when asked how he felt after the race. "But I think my main feeling is a huge sense of pride in what we've achieved in two years. We started from scratch... When we arrived at the pontoon earlier, words can't describe the feeling shared with the families, team members and friends and all that support. I'm very proud of the environment we've created and I hope we can move on to the next round of the Cup. I want to thank all our supporters. It was like riding a rollercoaster ride, but the support we've had in Japan and New Zealand has been phenomenal. It's been an incredible journey and experience and I wouldn't change that for anything in the world
A knife-wielding final
Nathan Outteridge (Artemis Racing) and Pete Burling (Emirates Team New Zealand) are "old enemies" as they have been rivals in the last two Olympic Games, each winning gold and silver medals in the 49er.
"I'm looking forward to it, but it's much more than just Peter and I. These are two great teams, well represented, who will be sailing one-on-one." said the skipper of Artemis Racing, confident after his four consecutive race wins.
Three races are scheduled for the Louis Vuitton America's Cup Challenger Finals between the two challenger teams. They will start at 2:08 pm (7:08 pm in France) in Bermuda. It is at the end of this final that it will be decided which challenger will face the American Defender.
