America’s Cup final: New Zealand team – hurricane in Barcelona | Sport

It doesn’t take strong winds to cause a hurricane in Barcelona. Neither competitive inactivity, nor the exponential growth of Team Ineos Britannia (GB) in recent weeks, nor low atmospheric pressure could contain the cyclone of Team New Zealand, the brutal defender of the America’s Cup, in correspond final against Ineos Britain (Great Britain). kiwi They were unbeatable on the Barcelona sea this Saturday, a whirlwind that left the British team behind on the first change and put cruising speed at the forefront of their mission to achieve an unprecedented treble in a row in 173 years of sailing’s biggest competition. With two wins under their belt, the second most, they need five more (the final is a best-of-13 format) to officially declare themselves a legendary team, having been present in seven of the last eight finals.

The tie announced in the preview by helmsman Peter Burling, the helmsman and visible face of the New Zealand team, was gone before the first race even began. Without enough wind to compete (the rules allow regattas if the wind force is between 6.5 and 21 knots), Team New Zealand also flew confidently despite the light breeze, while the British AC75 floated on the water, as ships had done before era foil We are waiting for the atmosphere to improve and the organization to clarify the final departure time.

Maybe see kiwi flying in light winds frightened Ben Ainsl, the English skipper, much more than haka Maori, which “Defenders” offered the day before at the presentation of the finale. “It didn’t scare me much, to be honest,” the Englishman answered with a smile after the aborigines’ proposal. This Saturday, the Maori spirit also set sail through the city: a traditional New Zealand indigenous boat was accompanied by Tahioro (the name of the New Zealand AC75) leaves its base in a look that will be repeated every day of the competition.

The first regatta had no color. Team New Zealand crushed their opponents from the start, unable to put pressure on them at any time. Once ahead, kiwi They took advantage of the lack of wind to mark the British and repeat from afar the maneuvers that Ainslie’s team had proposed behind them. Thus, having the advantage, he prevented Ineos from encountering stronger gusts of wind that could have threatened her leadership; and at the same time he unleashed on his rival what is known as a dirty wind, air turbulence that prevents the pursuing boat from optimizing the momentum and aerodynamics of the sails.

But few competitors in this America’s Cup are more tenacious than Sir Ainslie, an OBE since 2009 for his services to the sport and one of the best sailors in history. Having beaten the almighty Luna Rossa (2021 finalist) in the Louis Vuitton Cup to open the Ultimate Challenge, and unexpectedly taking the British team to the final in Barcelona for the first time in 60 years, Ainslie has proposed a more aggressive strategy heading into the second round. This forced Team New Zealand to initially change routes and lead the race several times. But again stability and speed kiwi It was impossible to fight them.

After four weeks of waiting, I qualified directly for correspond Finals as champions of the previous edition, Team New Zealand showed their cards. And they are winners. History is waiting for you.