America’s Cup: Tension before the showdown in the Louis Vuitton Cup – Bruni: “Dream with us!”

Four cheerful helmsmen answered questions at the big press conference on Barcelona’s Cup stage the day before the first starting shot for the final of the Louis Vuitton Cup.

For Ineos Britannia, co-pilots Sir Ben Ainslie (4th America’s Cup) and Dylan Fletcher-Scott (1st America’s Cup) and their team are aiming for victory. And for the associated right to challenge New Zealand’s defending champion in the 37th match for the America’s Cup. After the legendary Comeback Cup victory in 2013 with Oracle Team USA, Ben Ainslie is making his third attempt with his own team under the British flag.

There is a brilliant and rather brutal poetry in the fact that neither Italy nor Great Britain have ever won the America’s Cup.” Jesse Tuke

Luna Rossa will be helmed by Prada Pirelli’s Jimmy Spithill (8th America’s Cup) and Francesco Bruni (6th America’s Cup). Both teams – British and Italian – are heading into the showdown hungrier than ever. Both want to win the America’s Cup for their country for the first time. The Azzurri, under the direction of Patrizio Bertelli, are making their seventh attempt with the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team. But only the victorious challenger will be allowed into the Cup match starting on October 12th.

The final of the Louis Vuitton Cup has a great reputation in international sailing. To reach it is a great achievement for any team. But we want more.” Ben Ainslie

The final of the Louis Vuitton Cup will be played in “First to win 7” mode. Whoever can first gain seven victory points in the Louis Vuitton Cup final, which lasts a maximum of 13 duels, moves on to the 37th cup match. Both teams have at least publicly assured that they see the upcoming series of duels as a party on equal terms. “The teams are much closer together than in the past. “That can only result in great racing,” said Jimmy Spithill. Ben Ainslie also said: “We believe they are two equal teams. It will be a fantastic final.”

Each of the two teams is standing in the way of the other as they try to reach the summit. The Italians had a brilliant start to the Louis Vuitton Cup, showing themselves to be a strong force in the last preliminary regatta and in the double round robin, but were narrowly beaten by the British at the end of the qualification. In the hard-fought semi-final against NYYC American Magic, “Luna Rossa” had more to fight for: with the American opponents, who were very strong at times, with their own mistakes and breakages on board. The Azzurri ultimately won 5:3.

Ineos Britannia initially had a slightly easier game in the semi-final against Alinghi Red Bull Racing. But here too, the Swiss suddenly came into better form in light winds, challenging the favorites. The Swiss were able to wrest two points from the British before Ben Ainslie, Dylan Fletcher-Scott and their crew won the match 5:2 for their team. It was not only since these wobbles that the British have been said to be slightly weaker in light winds and rougher seas.

Technically, the America’s Cup began in 1851 in British waters around the Isle of Wight. As we all know, we haven’t seen it since. That’s the motivation for our team.” Ben Ainslie

The British “Challenger of Record” has recently developed a lot of momentum. The experts agree that Ineos Britannia has made the biggest leap in development from the less than convincing performance and fourth place in the preliminary regatta in August to the victory in the challenger qualification and beyond.

Even’s opponent Jimmy Spithill said: “The Brits have done a strong job.” They have clearly made a big step forward between the pre-regatta and now. I expect a real fight. Two very, very evenly matched teams will meet. That’s what we want: to send a challenger into the match against the Kiwis who is very well prepared and will finish the job.”

The tension and anticipation are also growing among the fans of both teams. Francesco Bruni said in Barcelona: “In Italy, the America’s Cup is a big dream. We have been chasing this dream for many years. Even before I was born. We have a chance now and we must use this opportunity.” Checco Bruni said to the fans: “Keep dreaming with us!” That is what we need. We need the support of the Italian fans. They have always been on our side. We have to win together.”

“Checco” Bruni described “best performance” as the decisive factor in the battle for the Louis Vuitton Cup. The seven-time world champion said on his fifth appearance for Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli: “If we perform at our best, we will win. If not, we will lose. It’s as simple as that.”

The final of the Louis Vuitton Cup is something fantastic! It gives you the opportunity to qualify for the America’s Cup.” Francesco Bruni

According to the weather forecast on Wednesday, there should be no major concerns for the first day of the final of the Louis Vuitton Cup. Winds between 12 and 18 to 20 knots are expected. If that happens, there will be little to stop two fast-paced and spectacular opening races on Thursday. Long-time companions and rivals who know each other and their strengths and weaknesses well will meet on the water.

Ben Ainslie recalled: “Checco and I sailed against each other in the Laser at the 1996 Olympic Games.” Ainslie won silver at his first Games, before winning four golds at the home Games off Weymouth by 2012, becoming the most successful Olympic sailor in the history of the sport. Francesco Bruni finished twelfth at the 1996 Olympics off Savannah. “I also have a long history with Jimmy in match racing, regattas with and against him. Jimmy and Checco are very experienced professionals in our sport.”

I believe we have what it takes to go all the way.” Dylan Fletcher-Scott

New to the game is Dylan Fletcher-Scott as Ben Ainslie’s co-pilot. The 49er Olympic champion, whose former crewman Stuart Bithell is part of Erik Heil’s Germany SailGP team, is making his debut as helmsman in an America’s Cup cycle. The 36-year-old said: “I am very happy to be part of this team. It is fantastic to see who is here, how many Olympic, World and European Championship medals they have won. It was always my dream to be part of a British Cup team.”

Both finalists were on the water again on Wednesday to test and warm up before the start of the Louis Vuitton final on Thursday at 2.10 p.m. (Click here for the live broadcast). Ben Ainslie reminded everyone: “This is a very, very demanding area. Not only the wind forecast is crucial, but also the choice of mainsail and headsail. Most teams have four or five different headsails to choose from. It’s quite difficult to make the right decision here.”

The negotiations behind the scenes about when exactly the Youth America’s Cup final between Italy and the US team should take place were not easy either. The original idea was to hold it between the first two Thursday races in the Louis Vuitton Cup final. Now it is scheduled for September 26th at 12.20 p.m., before the start of the first race of the big AC75s.

Replay of the press conference with the skippers and helmsmen of the finalists in the Louis Vuitton Cup: