On their way to an incredible hat-trick – the first since the USA in 1987 and 1992 – the Kiwis got off to the best start in the first race, before widening the gap to the finish line .
“We had a great start, I was a little nervous before the race since there was no wind,” explained Peter Burling, 33 years old and the youngest helmsman to lift the America’s Cup in 2017, just after his first success of the day.
Britannia not fast enough
Winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup last week, Britannia went fast on the water, exceeding an average speed of 33 knots (61 km/h) over the day… but not enough.
Ben Ainslie and his men were 41 seconds behind the New Zealand AC75 at the end of the first round and the scenario was repeated almost identically during the 2nd clash (+24 seconds at the finish) .
“It’s not the result we wanted, but well done to the Kiwis. We still have to work. We knew it was going to be difficult against them. But I have confidence in our team,” said the English helmsman. 47 years old after his 2nd defeat on Saturday.
Two new rounds are due to take place on Sunday in Barcelona. The first team to win seven points will lift the world’s oldest sporting trophy.
The victorious Italians
On Saturday, the Italians of Luna Rossa became the first team in history to win the Women’s America’s Cup, a unique event, by dominating the British of Athena Pathway in the final.
