America's Cup update, Joint statement released by challenging teams Ben Ainslie Racing, Luna Rossa, Artemis Racing and Team France

This following statement has been released via the teams below:

http://www.americascup.com/en/news/105_-All-the-elements-for-the-success-of-the-event-are-there-.html

JOINT STATEMENT FROM THE TEAMS LUNA ROSSA CHALLENGE, ARTEMIS RACING, BEN AINSLIE RACING AND TEAM FRANCE, WHO WILL BE CHALLENGING FOR THE 35TH AMERICA’S CUP.

Following the announcement of Team Australia – representative of the Hamilton Island Yacht Club, Challenger of Record of the 35th America’s Cup – of its intention to withdraw from the competition, the teams Luna Rossa Challenge, Artemis Racing, Ben Ainslie Racing and Team France – jointly with the yacht clubs they represent – confirm their full support to the event, regardless from the host venue that will be selected.

The four teams, who have so far made clear their involvement, also reiterate their commitment to co-operate in a constructive way with the Defender to the sporting and commercial success of the 35th America’s Cup, with the aim of bringing this event to the peak of the world’s professional sport in terms of media, show, public and the intense sporting competition which has always characterised the America’s Cup.

read more here

America's Cup update, Luna Rossa's heavily modified AC45 goes sailing for the first time in Cagliari

From the following article on the Luna Rossa Challenge website:

http://www.lunarossachallenge.com/en/news/the-ac45-luna-rossa-piranha-sails-again-after-being-modified

Luna Rossa Piranha – one of the two AC45s with which the team will train and develop its design in view of the 35th America’s Cup – starts sailing today in Cagliari.

The “new” Luna Rossa Piranha has undergone some major changes foreseen by the Protocol of the 35th America’s Cup that now allows the modification of any component of the AC45 catamarans – used in past editions of the America’s Cup World Series – except for the shape of the hulls.

In this first phase the research and the modifications focused essentially on the optimization of the appendages – daggerboards and rudders – and on-board systems that allow the AC45 catamarans to fully foil and sail with greatly increased performances.

Luna Rossa Piranha and Luna Rossa Swordfish have thus become real laboratories to test components, develop systems, collect and analyze data, as well as to train the crew in manoeuvers, boat handling and foiling tactics and techniques.

read more here

Photo courtesy Team Luna Rossa

and a short video of the launch:

GC32 Catamaran, Austria Cup event wraps up with the silverware going to Team Luna Rossa

From the following article by Sail-World:

http://www.sail-world.com/index.cfm?Nid=122797&refre=y&ntid=0&rid=1

The final day of the GC32 Austria Cup started just as expected, with ultra-light conditions on the beautiful Lake Traunsee, but as the day progressed, both the Gold and Silver fleets got the opportunity to show off these spectacular flying machines at their best.

Racing started early at 0930 on the final day of the inaugural GC32 Austria Cup in just 5-6kts of wind. After just one race organisers we had to pause and wait, due to the lack of wind and the shifting wind direction.  The people from Lake Traunsee shaked their head and told us: 'You are now officialy introduced to the Alpine lake weather conditions.'

A few hours later the eight team fleet enjoyed we had perfect sailing conditions with a good wind direction (south/south-east) and 15 to 18 knots of wind.

With the eight teams separated in the Gold Fleet and the Silver Fleet, it was soon decided that Seb Col Racing was the winner in the Silver Fleet. After some spectacular flying in the Gold Fleet, Luna Rossa Challenge won the first GC32 Austria Cup ever! 

read more here

America's Cup update, Sail Racing Magazine on the Emirates Team New Zealand winning the Louis Vuitton Cup and progressing to confront Oracle Team USA for the America's Cup

From the following article on the Sail Racing Magazine website:

Fog and light winds no deterrent as ETNZ close out Louis Vuitton Cup series.

 

August 25, 2013

Thick fog across most of the race course and the lightest flukiest winds so far in the competition did not slow down the Kiwi crew on the Emirates Team New Zealand AC72 today as they dismissed the Italian Luna Rossa syndicate with a massive win in the eighth race of the Louis Vuitton Cup Final.

If anything, the margin of advantage for the Kiwis was even greater in the 12-14 knot conditions which prevailed for most of the race. Both teams flew gennakers on the first downwind leg and ETNZ immediately began to pull away, sailing three to four knots better VMG angles than Luna Rossa. Upwind too they didn't put a foot wrong and by the time they turned at the top mark for the last time they were more than three minutes ahead.

Dean Barker's boys turned on the style on the final reach to the finish, tearing across the finish line at 40 knots to the obvious delight of the crowds of spectators at the Pier 27 America's Cup Race Village.

read more here

America's Cup update, Emirates Team New Zealand vs Luna Rossa races 8 & 9 of the Louis Vuitton Cup

America's Cup update, Luna Rossa vs Emirates Team New Zealand replay of race 7 Louis Vuitton Cup

America's Cup update, Louis Vuitton Cup Luna Rossa vs Emirates Team New Zealand race 6

America's Cup update, Louis Vuitton Cup Races 4 & 5

America's Cup update, Louis Vuitton Cup Race 3

America's Cup news, Louis Vuitton Cup final race 2 and 3 Emirates Team New Zealand vs Luna Rossa

Race 3 has been postponed due to wind strength increasing beyond the acceptable limit

America's Cup update, Emirates Team New Zealand gets first point in the Louis Vuitton Cup but not without drama

From the following article on americascup.com submitted by Sean McNeill

http://www.americascup.com/en/news/3/news/17349/emirates-team-new-zealand-survives-nosedive-wins-first-race-of-louis-vuitton-cup-final

The 30th anniversary Louis Vuitton Cup Final got off to a boisterous start today with Emirates Team New Zealand opening a 1-0 lead over Luna Rossa Challenge.

On a windy day on San Francisco Bay, Emirates Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa both wrestled with equipment problems, each suffered in different fashion. The difference was that Luna Rossa’s problem inhibited the crew’s ability to race, while the Kiwis’ problem scared the living daylights out of them.

Luna Rossa had a daggerboard problem before the race that ultimately scuttled the crew’s race after the first mark rounding. The team had refined the daggerboard and its lifting post last week.

read more here

America's Cup update, Louis Vuitton Challenger series finals race 1 & 2 Emirates Team New Zealand vs Luna Rossa

America's Cup update, Emirates Team New Zealand article and the Louis Vuitton Challenger Series press conference video

From the following article on the Emirates Team New Zealand website:

 

http://etnzblog.com/2013/08/old-rivals-square-off-for-lv-cup-final-series/

 

The Louis Vuitton Cup challengers’ series final gets underway in San Francisco on Saturday.

Emirates Team New Zealand meets old rival Luna Rossa in a best of 13 match – the team to win seven races first will win the cup.

 

Luna Rossa has had more race preparation, having beaten Artemis a 4-0 in the semi-finals round last weekend. Dean Barker and crew have not raced since the end of the round robin which gave them a ticket straight to final.

 

The New Zealand boat has been in the shed for modifications and the team  has not sailed a great deal, although recent practice sessions have been very pleasing to skipper Dean Barker

read more here

and a video of the Louis Vuitton finals press conference with Dean Barker of Emirates Team New Zealand and Max Sirena of Luna Rossa:

America's Cup update, Torbjorn Tornqvist owner of Team Artemis Racing confirm they will return to contest the next America's Cup

From the following Sail-World article:

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Louis-Vuitton-Cup:-Artemis-confirms-they-will-be-back-for-next-Cup/113081

Torbjorn Tornqvist, owner of Artemist Racing confirmed at the Media Conference for the Louis Vuitton Cup Semi-Finals, that his team would return to contest the next America's Cup, clearly intimating that the Swedish team would be in for the long haul.

Torbjörn Törnqvist, Principal, Artemis Racing, from the quote below - on fielding a second challenge for the America’s Cup: 'Yes, that’s my wish. It’s difficult to say what the format will be for the next America’s Cup, but I certainly see this as the first campaign and not the last one…

read more here

and a video of the Semi Final press conference

America's Cup update, Artemis Racing Team exit Louis Vuitton Challenger series gracefully

All sorts of obstacles faced Artemis Racing in their attempts to proceed to the final against Emirates Team New Zealand but props to them for battling on and getting an AC72 catamaran up to compete, a real credit to them.

From the following Sail-World article submitted by Chuck Lantz

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Louis-Vuitton-Cup:-Crowd-favorite-Artemis-exits-the-LVC-gracefully/113114

Despite the overwhelming odds against them, Artemis stuck with their program and fought hard until the very end. That team spirit, coupled with the loss of team member Andrew Simpson, made Artemis a crowd favorite in San Francisco.

At the finish line in each match race Artemis contested, and lost, the cheers for the Swedish blue boat were louder and longer than for the winner, Luna Rossa. It's not that the spectators didn't like the Italian team, they did. But they loved Artemis. Part of that had to do with the team being led by local racer, Paul Cayard, and an even larger part by the tragic loss of popular Artemis team member Andrew Simpson in a training accident.

read more here 

America's Cup update, Luna Rossa defeat Artemis Racing 4-0 in Louis Vuitton Challenger Series and progress to final against Emirates Team New Zealand

Luna Rossa has progressed to the final of the Louis Vuitton Challenger Series where they will meet Emirates Team New Zealand to decide the challenger for the America's Cup defenders Team Oracle USA:

From the following article on the excellent Sail Racing Magazine:

Artemis Racing's wave goodbye to Louis Vuitton Cup challenge after fourth loss.

 

August 10, 2013

Artemis Racing finally ran out of runway today in their Louis Vuitton Cup challenge after three penalties saw them crash out of the series 4-0 down to Luna Rossa.
Today's prestart was the most exciting yet with Artemis and Luna Rossa even colliding close to the line when Nathan Outteridge pushed too aggressively for the advantage at the start.

Artemis led comfortably off the line but as they rounded the first turning mark six seconds ahead of the Italians the jury gave them a penalty for the port and starboard incident in the start box. Busy with their first two gybes, the Artemis crew were noticed the penalty light on the back of their boat late and took a long time to exonerate themselves. With no option but to push the edges of the course Outteridge picked up two more penalties for breaking the boundary lines.

read more here

and a highlights video:

 

America's Cup update, Luna Rossa go 3-0 in Louis Vuitton Challenger Series

Luna Rossa have taken the third race in the Louis Vuitton Challenger Series putting in a very polished performance against the improving Artemis Racing. 

and an article on the race by Sail Racing Magazine:

http://www.sailracingmagazine.com/editors-blog/luna-rossa-step-up-their-game-to-beat-a-much-improved-artemis-racing-in-louis-vuitton-semifinal-race-three

America's Cup update, Luna Rossa take 2-0 lead in semi finals of Louis Vuitton Challenger series

From the following article on americascup.com by Sean McNeill

http://www.americascup.com/en/news/3/news/17125/luna-rossa-opens-2-0-lead-in-louis-vuitton-cup-semifinal

Italy's Luna Rossa Challenge helmsman Chris Draper said his team can sail “much, much better” than it did today, but it was still good enough to take a 2-0 lead in the semifinal round of the Louis Vuitton Cup, the America’s Cup Challenger Series.

Luna Rossa defeated Artemis Racing by 2 minutes and 6 seconds today in west/ southwesterly winds that averaged 11 knots. Luna Rossa tactician Francesco Bruni said the conditions were probably the lightest the team has experienced in San Francisco, and the result was a slow race. Luna Rossa completed the 15.4-nautical-mile course in 54 minutes and 26 seconds at an average speed just under 22 knots, pedestrian for the AC72.

read more here

America's Cup update, Luna Rossa defeats Artemis Racing in first match up

A short article on americascup.com covering the basics more details to follow.

http://www.americascup.com/en/news/4/events/17088/regatta-directors-briefing

UPDATE: 1410 hours

Italy’s Luna Rossa Challenge won Race 1 of the Louis Vuitton Cup semifinals by 2 minutes over Artemis Racing.

Sailing for just the ninth day on its second AC72, Artemis Racing put forth a spirited effort. The Swedish team won the start and led at the first mark rounding, but Luna Rossa proved faster downwind on the day. The Italian AC72 consistently averaged 2-4 knots more boatspeed on the downwind legs, which allowed it to sail lower and faster towards the next mark.
Full report to follow.

Race performance data

• Course: Seven legs
• Course length: 15.83 nautical miles
• Elapsed time: LR – 43:20; ART – 45:20
• Total distance sailed: LR – 18.78 NM; ART – 18.69 NM
• Average speed: LR – 26.04 knots; ART – 24.75 knots
• Top speed: LR – 39.19 knots; ART – 40.56 knots
• Wind speed: average 16.1 knots; peak gust 20.4 knots

also an article submitted by Bob Fisher to Sail-World:

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Louis-Vuitton-Cup:-Artemis-big-surprise-in-first-Semi-Final-race/112914

The first semi-final of the Louis Vuitton Cup was marked by a surprisingly good performance by Artemis Racing with ‘Big Blue'.

The Swedish team was beaten by Luna Rossa, but considering the relatively different amount of sailing of the two teams – 80 days for Luna Rossa to 80 hours for Artemis Racing – the two minute difference at the finish was a great deal closer than might have been expected.

What also took everyone by surprise was the aggression of Artemis helmsman, Nathan Outteridge at the start. He and his rival, Chris Draper on Luna Rossa, have sparred before – in 49er skiffs – but never before in these giant wing-sailed AC-72 catamarans. Yet with a minute to go Outteridge had made his intentions clear.

The crowd along Marina Green were treated to the sight of Artemis ahead and to windward of Luna Rossa, and determined to maintain this advantage. Draper, it seemed, did not 'pull the trigger' fast enough and Artemis’ timing was right on the button, crossing the starting line within a second of gunfire and there was a clear boat’s length of water between the two.

read more here

America's Cup update, Louis Vuitton Challenger series Luna Rossa versus Artemis Racing

Luna Rossa and Artemis Racing are racing for the first time in the challenger series.