Letter from 37th America's Cup #4 - Too close to call by Mark Covell

Published 09:25 on 26 Sep 2024

The news here in Barcelona is that everything is very close. The heat from the heaving city and the humidity feels close. The racing on the water is full of close calls and having just come from the official press conference for the Louis Vuitton finals, both teams have admitted, the racing is going to be even closer.

This week we have been enjoying the turbo charged fleet racing of the Unicredit Youth America's Cup. If you missed the AC-40-foot flying bundles of fun tearing round the AC course like stolen cars then you must go back and watch it.

Twelve talented youth teams have been enjoying sharing the America's Cup limelight with the world's sailing rockstars watching on. I was in Port Olympic for the semifinals dock-out yesterday and found myself waving a patriotic flag alongside five times Olympic medallist Sir Ben Ainsley and two times gold medallists Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark. Even Mr Motivator himself, Free Wheelin' Freddy the Muscle Car Carr was there. Other teams had rolled out the racing royalty to support their youth sailors, current match racing world champion Tom Slingsby and many more were there to support. The pathway that this competition provides is an unrivalled golden ticket for experience that no one outside this event would have access to. Sadly, the British team missed the match race finals by just one point, so close but so far. We will now see NYYC American Magic and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli go head-to-head in a winner takes all match race sailed on the same day as the first race of the LV finals.

I think that the reason the likes of Ben and Tom are keeping such a close eye on these talented scallywags, is that they have just displayed fighter pilot hand-eye skills, chess master tactics and a passion for fast foiling combat like they were at home battling on a PS4. Now they have the old guard in their sights. Look out Jimmy Spithill and Peter Burling.

In just a few days now you will all know whether you will need to raid the old teapot for some spare cash for a ticket to Barcelona. If the answer is no, we might need to consider handing over the keys to the young Athena Pathway crew of Freya Black, Nick Robins, Matt Beck, Alex Hughes, James Grummet and Hattie Rogers. I'm pretty sure they will be up for the challenge.

If yes, and I'm sure it will be a yes, then Ben and his team are on track to the main show and a crack at righting the wrongs of 175 years of pain. INEOS Britannia's AC75 yacht Rita has been locked in the boat shed getting her very own pamper session this week. Her hull buffed and her foils fluffed because it's show time. A hungry team of British sailors are ready for lunch and there is pizza on the menu.

It's going to be exciting and it's going to be close.

Mark Covell


Photo Credit: Ricardo Pinto