Louis Vuitton Cup Day 7: American Magic secures victory vs. Orient Express to clinch Semifinal spot

by New York Yacht Club American Magic 8 Sep 09:38 NZST September 7, 2024

The seventh day of racing at the Louis Vuitton Cup - the Challenger Selection Series for the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup - was another two-match day for NYYC American Magic, with the US Challenger taking on the series leader Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli from Italy in the first race of the day, before facing the French Orient Express Racing Team in the day's third race.

In the first race, American Magic faced the in-form Luna Rossa team in a southerly breeze ranging from six to 11 winds and a running swell. Both teams started evenly, but Luna Rossa gained an early advantage. Despite the Italians' solid upwind performance, American Magic fought back to close the gap at several critical points in the race. A few tactical maneuvers, including a smart starboard advantage, briefly put the American team ahead. In the end, despite the Americans sailing cleanly and smoothly throughout the race, it was the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli crew that won by a margin of 26 seconds.

However, it was the second race of the day that secured American Magic's place in the semifinals. Going up against Orient Express Racing, the American team needed a win to guarantee their advancement, and they delivered. Tom Slingsby and Paul Goodison guided the team to a clean start, quickly taking the lead and putting pressure on the French crew. Though a poor gybe briefly handed Orient Express an opportunity, American Magic recovered swiftly and extended their lead to 14 seconds on the downwind leg.

As the race progressed, the challenging conditions — including waves, debris, and variable winds — made for a tough contest. American Magic's cyclors provided the necessary power to keep the boat at optimal speed while Slingsby and Goodison maintained composure under pressure. By the final leg, despite a late surge from the French team, American Magic held strong, crossing the line 15 seconds ahead to secure their fourth win in the Challenger Series.

Reflecting on the race, American Magic helmsman Tom Slingsby acknowledged the challenges: "We're happy with that. We've got a lot of work to do if we want to keep progressing, but we're really happy to get through that one and move into the semis. There's a lot of debris in the water — we hooked something up on the rudder, but luckily it popped off. That was a risky one."

Andrew Campbell, also on board for the victory, summed up the tough conditions after the race, saying, "That's some hard conditions, man."

The victory is all the more significant in that it earned the team the critical point that guarantees NYYC American Magic a spot in the Louis Vuitton Cup semi-finals.

Reflecting on the race, American Magic helmsman Tom Slingsby acknowledged the challenges: "We're happy with that. We've got a lot of work to do if we want to keep progressing, but we're really happy to get through that one and move into the semis. There's a lot of debris in the water — we hooked something up on the rudder, but luckily it popped off. That was a risky one."

Andrew Campbell commented after the race, "That's some hard conditions, man," reflecting the tough environment the team overcame to secure their fourth win in the Challenger Series.