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A victory or nothing
With their backs against the wall after a long series of defeats, Orient Express Team had no choice but to win against Ineos to keep their hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the Louis Vuitton Cup alive. The Brits, who have been in fine form since the start of the event, were also under some pressure, as they were playing for first place in the ranking, neck and neck with Luna Rossa.
It was a tall order for the French team, especially as they also had to reckon with a Swiss defeat on this last day before the semi-final.
A regatta without suspense
In 7-8 knots of wind, the French crew arrived at the line very early, and took a start on the very left of the line, opposite their British rival. Quickly covered by the latter, the French were passed on the first upwind leg.
Attempting an unsuccessful tactical move on the first downwind leg, resulting in a 43-second deficit at the leeward mark, the French were unhooked. No longer racing in contact, Ineos quietly kept the lead, increasing its lead to 1 min 24 at mark 2 e windward buoy.
Reducing their deficit to 55 seconds at the last windward mark, thanks to a fine upwind run, the French bowed out and crossed the line 800m or 1 min 11 after Ineos.
First Challenger eliminated
Ineos Britania led the way without feeling threatened. Benefiting from better upwind and downwind speed, and perfect maneuvers, the crew led by Ben Ainslie, four-time Olympic champion, is on a par with Luna Rossa as the Challenger favorite.
This leaves four teams in the running to take on Defender Team New Zealand:
-Ineos Brittania
-Luna Rossa Pirelli
-American Magic
-Alinghi Red Bull Racing
As a small consolation, the day was marked by the withdrawal of Luna Rossa from the race against Alinghi, who scored their third point. So even in the event of a French victory over the British, nothing could have prevented the elimination of Orient Express Team.
The foundations for a better return in 2028?
A late entry to the Cup, the French had the smallest budget of the five Challengers. Even if history hasn't always been kind to the wealthiest unions, the lack of training played into the Frenchies' hands.
Some of the talent initially committed to the French camp eventually migrated to other syndicates because the French Challenger's finances were too tight. And by the time the budget was finalised, it was too late to bring them back.
Catching up on some of this delay by buying a design pack from the New Zealanders, the team built their AC75 in record time at Multiplast in Vannes.
Victorious in the inaugural race against Alinghi, the rest of the Louis Vuitton Cup was marked by a string of seven defeats for Orient Express Team.
France has never been happy with the Cup. Since the 2000 edition, when 6 e Sens had reached the semi-finals, and no other team has since managed to do better.
Let's hope that this edition will be followed by a new French commitment to compete in the next Cup, which will take place in 2028.
