The six teams competing in the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series in Oman aren’t just battling one another, but also the conditions that have so far made the event more challenging.
Winds were light on Saturday at 7-9 knots on the race course, well below the 10-15 knot breeze that was hoped for, forcing the crew to be on top of their game as they hustled around their foiling AC45 yachts.
While Emirates Team New Zealand struggled to adjust throughout the day by finishing lower in each successive race, leaders Land Rover BAR were on the mark with wins in the final two races to show their
mastery of the conditions.
But skipper Ben Ainslie admitted: “The conditions were tough.
“It was light winds, but it’s the same for all the guys. It’s a real challenge, particularly with that code zero sail, trying to use that on the upwind. Getting it up, down and out is a real workout for the crew work on board.
“It’s almost harder than it is in the stronger winds because that bigger sail is so much hard work, but our guys did a great job.”
With winds potentially remaining low on Sunday in the conclusion of the World Series in Oman, the third
race from day one could be indicative of which teams have figured out the necessary tactics.
“It’s been a long time since I can remember going upwind with a code zero in a World Series event,” said Oracle Team USA skipper
Jimmy Spithill. “Also, it was figuring out the modes and techniques downwind.
“The big change today was there was more of a seaway as opposed to Saturday, so we made a few
changes. I thought the third race, we made another big step forward,
