Please select your home edition
Edition
RS Sailing 2021 - LEADERBOARD

Adventures of a Sailor Girl Prada Cup Day 2 Review

by Nic Douglass 16 Jan 2021 13:35 PST 15 January - 22 February 2021
Terry Hutchinson still in good spirits © COR36 / Studio Borlenghi

"Sometimes you are the bug, and some days you are the windshield" said Terry Hutchison of today's Prada Cup racing. "At any given moment all the teams were dealing with the same thing, I guess we drew the unlucky number in the lottery." said Hutchinson of today's race track.

Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli posted their first win in race three over the American's, and in what ended up being a race against the clock, INEOS Team UK also took their third win from three races against American Magic in the fourth race of the Prada Cup, the first of Round Robin 2. They finished at 42:44, with a maximum allowed time limit of 45 minutes in what was described so well by Terry Hutchinson as a "connect-the-dots breeze day".

Welcome to day 2 - AC Chat & Wrap:

Debrief for day 2 - AC Chat & Wrap:

As the only team to not post a win so far in the Prada Cup Challenger Series for the 36th America's Cup, all eyes and ears were on the NYYC American Magic sailors.

"I would suspect our foil is small" he continued to attempt to explain why the team found it difficult to stay on their foils today.

For those watching, they also had a smaller headsail than Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli up for race three of the series. "We didn't expect to be sailing in that amount of breeze, was a bit of a surprise that it got late light" said Dean Barker as he took off on the foils in between race three and four today on the broadcast.

"You hedge, when you designed the boat two years ago, you are making decisions on what you think the conditions may or may not be... We have to continue to stay committed to learning to sail our boat, learning how to race our boat" said Terry post-racing.

"For sure we stayed on the foils for longer, otherwise we would not have won the race" commented Bruni, "as Terry said, very hard conditions, we have definitely bigger foils so it's a little bit easier for us, but if you are on the wrong side, or if you don't connect with the next puff you may lose the race".

Bruni was nothing but complimentary of the Americans, "at one stage our American friends did a very good job of overtaking us, and we were worried, we are [were] nervous, but we keep ourself [ourselves] calm and waiting for our moment... it was not easy. It was a minefield". On the racetrack, Bruni commented on how hard it is for Italians to stay calm, especially in those conditions which brought light to the situation, especially when we know they have been gearing toward the lighter end of the spectrum. "Not easy conditions at all, right on the limit for racing, but we know the limit, and we were just above at the start time, otherwise we would not have had a start".

Ben Ainslie said on the team's third win from three races, where they seemed to be toying and playing with American Magic at the start, sailing to leeward and then tacking to cross while they were foiling and the Americans were low-riding; "That was a pretty tough race I have got to say given what is at stake, I think it was actually toughest for the grinders trying to keep the boat up on the foil... if you come off the foil that could be the end of the race... we managed to muscle it around and get the win, so we will take it!"

"Today really was all about just staying in that wind, and ultimately every team was going to fall off the foil at some point today, and I think to win you needed to have a package underneath you that was capable of taking off well" said Giles Scott from INEOS Team UK.

"It really is about keeping the boat on its legs... you can be sailing around at 35 knots, or you can be in the water doing 4 knots. So your direct course to the next mark doesn't really matter a lot of the time".

"We've raced together since 2014, I joined Land Rover BAR in the last Cup and previous to that I raced against him as well. We go back a reasonably long way in the competitive sailing world as competitors and as teammates" said Scott on what we all heard was an exceptionally strong communicative bond between Ainslie and his tactician today.

The scores now stand at 3 from 3 for INEOS Team UK, 1 from 2 Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team and 0 from 3 NYYC American Magic.

Tomorrow we will see Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli race twice, first up against INEOS Team UK, and then NYYC American Magic in what is sounding like breezier conditions.

We will be live with our preview and debrief shows each day, with guests starting from next week!

For more adventures, to catch up on past shows, or to suggest a sailing "die hard" that you would like to see interviewed, head to www.sailorgirlhq.com, or @sailorgirlhq on Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, iTunes, or Twitter.

Related Articles

Letter aims to reduce harm to U.S. Manufacturing
A summary of news relevant to marine businesses across North America NMMA joined 29 leading industry associations in a letter to U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick advocating for revisions to the Department of Commerce's implementation of Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum and related derivative products. Posted on 2 Jul
Marine Auctions: Special July Online Auction
The bidding will end on Tuesday 22 July at 2pm AEST The alternative way of selling any type of vessel or marine asset with proven and successful results. Posted on 2 Jul
Teledyne acquires Maretron
Leader in vessel monitoring and control solutions joins Teledyne's Raymarine brand. Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY) ("Teledyne") has announced the acquisition of assets of Maretron, including the brand's Octoplex, MPower and MConnect product lines from Littelfuse, Inc. (NASDAQ:LFUS). Posted on 2 Jul
July 2025 high tide flooding predictions
Predicted to be a relatively quiet month on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts July is predicted to be a relatively quiet month on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts from a flooding perspective, with no locations forecast to have flooding. Posted on 1 Jul
Newport International Boat Show partner announceme
New England's Premier Boat Show to take place September 11-14, 2025 The Newport International Boat Show has announced its partnership with local and national organizations to sponsor this year's Newport International Boat Show presented by BankNewport. Posted on 1 Jul
Avikus and Emerson sign MOU
To integrate Adaptive AI and Autonomous Technologies Avikus, HD Hyundai's specialized Autonomous Navigation Technology subsidiary, has announced that it has signed a MOU with Emerson to integrate its NEUBOAT CONTROL Autonomous System with Emerson's Aventics marine controllers. Posted on 1 Jul
NMMA supports industry letter
Urging commerce to revise Section 232 implementation process The letter emphasizes the need for a more transparent and targeted approach to avoid unintended harm to U.S. manufacturing Posted on 30 Jun
Excess launched the 100th hull of the Excess 14
Behind this hull #100 are more than 70 passionate staff who have put their expertise to work A symbolic milestone for a model that embodies our vision of the catamaran: sharp design, easily gliding through the water, and pleasure at the helm. Posted on 30 Jun
2025 USVI Charter Yacht Show set for November
A rising tide of opportunities for boat crews and brokers A rising tide of opportunities for boat crews and brokers to connect, from one-on-one meet-and-greets to USVI-style social events, is what makes the 2025 USVI Charter Yacht Show a 'must-attend' industry event. Posted on 28 Jun
NMMA Canada hosts successful 2025 Day on the Hill
Building momentum for repeal of luxury tax NMMA Canada wrapped another highly successful Day on the Hill in Ottawa this month, bringing together industry leaders, government officials, and policymakers to advance priorities critical to Canada's recreational boating sector. Posted on 26 Jun
Allen Dynamic 40 FooterSelden 2020 - FOOTERCyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTER