In a thrilling third race of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup final, Emirates Team New Zealand (ETNZ) once again demonstrated their dominance, leaving INEOS Team UK in their wake with a decisive victory. The day’s racing, held in light wind conditions, saw ETNZ take a commanding lead early on, capitalising on a penalty that proved costly for the British crew.
As the starting horns sounded, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation. INEOS, desperate to claw back from their two-race deficit, faced an immediate setback. In a tense manoeuvre at the start, ETNZ forced the British into a crucial error, earning them a penalty that would haunt them for the rest of the race.
With the penalty looming large, INEOS dropped back 100 metres, and from that point on, ETNZ never looked back. By the time both boats hit Gate 1, ETNZ had stretched their lead to a comfortable 150 metres, powering through at 33 knots. The Kiwis’ precision and pace were on full display as they tackled Leg 2, widening the gap to a massive 200 metres, leaving the British boat scrambling to regain momentum.
The light winds of just 8 to 10 knots added a new layer of complexity to the race, with both teams struggling to maintain their foils. However, it was ETNZ’s experience and seamless boat handling that allowed them to stay ahead, with INEOS falling further behind despite brief moments of recovery. By Gate 2, the Kiwis had extended their lead to 350 metres, while the British found themselves 27 seconds adrift—a margin that would only grow.
Midway through Leg 3, the race was all but sealed. ETNZ kept their boat flying even as speeds dropped to a challenging 10 knots, with their lead swelling to 500 metres. INEOS’ hopes dimmed as they failed to make up any ground, entering the final gate a full 43 seconds behind the New Zealanders.
The final leg saw the Kiwis hit a blistering 36 knots, soaring across the course with effortless speed. By the time INEOS entered the leg, ETNZ was already 700 metres ahead, a testament to their tactical mastery and smooth sailing.
ETNZ crossed the finish line at 27:06, securing their third consecutive win in the finals. The British followed 52 seconds later, their campaign faltering after a tough day on the water.
With this victory, Emirates Team New Zealand has built an imposing 3-0 lead in the finals. The question now is whether INEOS can bounce back in the next race, or if the Kiwis will sweep the series.
A small post-script: watching how professional and almost friendly the competitors are during the post-race interviews is so impressive. Ben Ainslie showed very poor form after his interview with the AC TV commentator, under his breath announcing “F**king Wanker” after the commentator did his job by asking questions – not even aggressive questions.
It was not the language – remember this is a Nautical publication, we are all sailors… This was not just bad language, it was uncivil. Not necessary Ben, lets be the bigger man.
Stay tuned for more thrilling updates as the battle for the America’s Cup continues.
