In a high-stakes Race 4 of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup Final, New Zealand continues its dominant performance, clinching their fourth straight win over the UK. The Kiwis now stand tantalisingly close to securing their fourth consecutive America’s Cup, proving once again why they are considered the team to beat.
The race began with a thrilling back-and-forth, setting the stage for one of the closest contests of this series. Both teams were off to strong starts, with the UK determined to shake off the mistakes of yesterday’s defeat. New Zealand, out of the gate first, quickly found themselves trading blows with the UK in a tightly contested battle.
By the halfway point of the first leg, it was anyone’s race. The UK briefly surged ahead, building a 40-metre lead before New Zealand fought back, reclaiming the advantage three-quarters of the way through the leg. As they rounded the first gate, the teams were neck and neck, a mere second apart, showcasing the calibre of elite racing fans have come to expect in the finals.
Leg 2 brought another surge of excitement as New Zealand started to edge ahead, pulling 100 metres in front by the third-way mark. Still, the UK wasn’t far behind, pushing hard to close the gap. Both boats rounded Gate 2 just seconds apart—NZ at 8:25 and the UK trailing by only three seconds. It was a display of precision, as the two teams maintained remarkable speeds of around 32 knots.
What set this race apart was the significant improvement shown by the UK team. Their racing speed and handling were markedly better than in previous races, keeping the pressure on New Zealand throughout the course. Yet, despite this newfound form, New Zealand held their composure, steadily building their lead as they rounded Gate 3 at 13:53—11 seconds ahead of the UK.
By the time they entered Leg 4, New Zealand’s lead had grown to 250 metres, with the crew sounding calm and collected over the radio, confident in their advantage. The UK crossed Gate 4 just 15 seconds later but struggled to match the Kiwis’ pace on the final leg. The gap widened to 450 metres, leaving little hope for the UK to stage a comeback.
Crossing the finish line at 26:50, New Zealand secured a commanding win, with the UK following 23 seconds later. While the UK’s efforts showed significant improvement, they were no match for the superior sailing prowess of the Kiwis.
With this win, New Zealand inches closer to clinching their fourth consecutive America’s Cup title. The UK will need to find something extraordinary to turn the tide in their favour as the series continues, but for now, New Zealand looks nearly unstoppable.
Can the UK turn things around, or is New Zealand destined to lift the Cup once again? Stay tuned as the action unfolds in this thrilling finale!
