New Zealand begin their defense of the America’s Cup against top competition

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America’s Cup defenders New Zealand and Italy have shown they are ready to take on the Oceanic side in the 37th edition of the world’s oldest sporting competition.

Emirates Team New Zealand won the preliminary regatta final in Barcelona last week, but narrowly edged out Italian team Luna Rosa Prada Pirelli ahead of the Louis Vuitton Cup, which starts on Thursday.

The tournament will decide which team will challenge New Zealand in October in the first round (August 29 – September 11) in both the semi-finals (September 14 – 23) and the final (September 26 – September 7). October).

New Zealand will participate in the head-to-head stage, but not the knockout rounds, and this is their last chance to improve their defence.

As a challenger, New Zealand won in Bermuda in 2017 and defended their title for the first time three years ago in Auckland. Barcelona are looking to become the first country to win three consecutive titles since the United States in 1987, 1988 and 1992.

“We expected it to be tight and we struggled to find the right tactics, but it will be a close race,” New Zealand captain Peter Burling said after last week’s win over Italy.

“It’s about getting it right and sailing in the right places. I think we were a little disappointed with how we sailed today, but there’s a lot to review and analyze afterwards,” he added.

Italy suffered three penalties in the final regatta and eventually lost.

Luna Rosa will have a chance to avenge that defeat in the 2021 final when they again face New Zealand when they enter the Louis Vuitton Cup on Thursday.

“We take our hats off to New Zealand for a great race, but I’m very proud of the team,” said helmsman Francesco Bruni. “I think we have a great boat, a great team, and I think it’s going to be a very interesting America’s Cup.”

The America’s Cup began in 1851, when the New York Yacht Club’s (NYYC) boat America defeated the Royal English yacht team, the cup is named after the first winning boat.

With a record of 30 wins, the USA held the trophy until 1983 when Australia took it from them.

NNYC missed out on the final in the American Magic preliminary regatta, but her boat is fast enough to challenge New Zealand, and won against Defender last Sunday, a morale-boosting victory.

“I think we’re still trying to figure out what our strengths and weaknesses are,” captain Terry Hutchinson said.

Other participants include Ineos Britannia, Alinghi Red Bull Racing from Switzerland and Orient Express from France, who have reasons for optimism despite suffering at the Barcelona regatta.

The British team is captained by four-time Olympic champion Ben Ainslie, sponsored by billionaire Manchester United co-owner Jim Radcliffe through the INEOS group.

France added just one win last week, defaulting after a problem at American Magic, but an even battle against the Englishman gives them hope of standing up.

Apart from four-time champions New Zealand and the United States, Switzerland is the only country to have won the trophy in 2003 and 2007.