Six lessons from the America's Cup qualifiers
BySportsbeat
Published 04/06/2017 at 14:40 GMT
The America's Cup qualifiers are over after a hectic week of close-quarter racing in variable conditions in Bermuda. Defending champions Team Oracle USA progress straight to the main event while four challengers will now contest the right to face them for the oldest prize in international sport. James Ayles on the lessons learned so far.
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Don't bet against BAR
Hampered by inconsistency and holding a less-than-impressive record of four wins and six losses, Land Rover BAR have it all to do to overhaul their semi-final opponents Team New Zealand.
Statistics show the British team are the best off the start line, but poor boat speed and a habit of picking up unwelcome penalties has cost them heavily.
However, skipper Sir Ben Ainslie has proven time and time again his ability to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
There have been signs of progress as the competition progresses, and history has
shown that you should never bet against the British skipper when he's backed into a corner.
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Burling's in-form Kiwis still have work to do
On the very last race of the round robin tournament on Friday, Team Emirates New Zealand achieved what they'd threatened to do earlier in the day and hit that magical mark of 100% foiling in beating Groupama Team France.
Despite that flawless performance, small mistakes and poor decision-making still cost Peter Burling and his crew their place at the top of the qualifiers' leaderboard.
That both of their losses in the qualifiers came against the defenders and that does not bode well for chances of claiming the Auld Mug.
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Oracle should not rest on their laurels
Two impressive victories over Emirates Team New Zealand ensured the holders grabbed a valuable point ahead of the start of the America's Cup proper.
Yet all four challengers now have another four days of racing to fine-tune and improve.
Two losses to Artemis Racing demonstrate obvious weaknesses, and Jimmy Spithill will have to ensure his team keep sharp and ready as they wait to discover their official challenger.
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Masters of the winds will prevail
Shifty conditions and unpredictable winds have ensured that smart tactics have prevailed over sheer speed so far.
With lighter winds predicted over the next few days, each team will have to be at their sharpest to prevail in what will be a compelling series of races.
Conditions suggest light-air masters Emirates Team New Zealand will set up a rematch with Oracle Team USA, but there will be no margin for error.
Softbank Team Japan could pose a major headache to rivals
Softbank Team Japan head into their semi-final against Artemis Racing as clear underdogs, but their performances so far should give them hope.
A late entry into the Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series and lacking similar financial backing to their opponents, Dean Barker nonetheless demonstrated his vast experience and tactical nous to engineer an opening day win over Land Rover BAR.
Although they only recorded another two wins against now-eliminated Groupama Team France, Barker and co have shown they can put up a spirited challenge to the flaky Swedish team.
France still awaits its first America's Cup trophy
The last to commit to the 35th America's Cup, Groupama Team France were always destined to struggle after finishing last in the World Series.
Franck Cammas and his team couldn't close the gap on the other challengers, although defeating Artemis Racing and Land Rover BAR gives them hope for the future.
A definite gap exists between the top three and the bottom three, and future America's Cups should look closely at how they can maintain an even playing field whilst still reaching the pinnacle of the sport.
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