Alinghi will not win a 3rd America’s Cup in 2024 in Barcelona. The Swiss challenge was eliminated in the semi-finals of the Louis Vuitton Cup, beaten in 7 matches (5-2) by Britannia.
The hope of a “remontada” will therefore not have lasted very long. Alinghi, which had taken advantage of an error made by the British boat in the 3rd leg to win the 5th match on Monday, nevertheless gave itself the right to still believe in it by picking up a 2nd point on Wednesday early in the afternoon.
But legendary British helmsman Ben Ainslie and his crew mastered their tactical subject in the 7th race of this best-of-9 duel. Britannia once again looked untouchable, as in the first 4 races last Saturday and Sunday, and won by 1’10 in margin.
A huge amount of work has been done
Launched in December 2021, the project led by Alinghi and Formula 1 manufacturer Red Bull Racing has therefore not been completed despite a huge amount of work, particularly in Barcelona where its base has been established for more than 2 years. The challenge dear to Ernesto Bertarelli will have won only 5 matches with stakes out of the 15 that he has played in this Louis Vuitton Cup.
For Britannia, however, the adventure continues. The British challenge, stopped by Luna Rossa in the Challengers final in 2021 during the previous edition, should find the Italian boat at the same stage. The winner of this duel – scheduled from September 26 in the best of 13 matches – will challenge Defender Team New Zealand in the America’s Cup from October 12 to 27.
ats/bur
