The Puig Women’s America’s Cup continues to deliver high-octane action, and today’s Group A, Race 5 was no exception. As these talented sailors battle for a place in the semi-finals, the final Group A races promised to be nothing short of intense. With a lineup featuring Italy, New Zealand, the UK, Switzerland, the USA, and France, it was a showdown that kept spectators on the edge of their seats.
Today’s conditions were nothing short of gruelling, with a heavy swell testing the foiling skills of even the most seasoned crews. Right from the start, it was clear that the teams would need to stay sharp as the French, unfortunately, came off their foils early and took a penalty, falling behind the pack.
Early Dominance by New Zealand
New Zealand took a commanding early lead, navigating the challenging conditions with ease. Their strong tacks and confident sailing saw them through the first gate at an impressive 4 minutes and 36 seconds. Hot on their heels were the UK, just five seconds behind, followed by Italy, Switzerland, the USA, and the struggling French team.
As the race entered Leg 2, New Zealand stretched their lead to a significant 400 metres ahead of Italy, who had slipped into second. However, in this unpredictable contest, no lead is safe, especially with the growing swell throwing a curveball at the competitors. Italy soon fell off their foils, allowing the USA to sweep past them, while New Zealand began to struggle themselves.
A Shifting Tide
The approach to Gate 2 was a critical moment for New Zealand, as they lost precious time by falling off their foils. The UK, sensing an opportunity, surged ahead but quickly suffered the same fate, leaving the Swiss to take control of the race. By the time the fleet passed through Gate 2, the Swiss were firmly in the lead at 13 minutes and 5 seconds, followed by the UK, still off their foils, then the USA, Italy, New Zealand, and France, the latter far behind after their early struggles.
In a race filled with twists and turns, the course was reduced to three legs, offering the Swiss some breathing room as they maintained their lead. Despite a brief drop from their foils, the Swiss were quick to recover, pressing towards the finish line with determination.
A Swiss Triumph
In a thrilling conclusion, the Swiss claimed victory, securing their place in the semi-finals with a well-earned win. The UK finished second, followed by the USA in third and Italy in fourth. Unfortunately for New Zealand and France, neither team was able to finish the race, a surprising outcome for New Zealand, who had shown such promise in the early stages.
This result sees Switzerland join the top three in Group A, putting them in a strong position as the competition heats up. It’s a huge moment for the Swiss team, marking their first win and setting them up as a serious contender for the semi-finals.
Semi-Finals Await
With Group B already settled, all eyes are now on who will advance from Group A to join the Swiss. The next few races will be crucial, as these exceptional athletes continue to prove their mettle on the water. Who will make it to the semi-finals? Stay tuned and check out our post-race analysis on the Boating New Zealand website.
