Breakdowns in first three Louis Vuitton Cup races

Emirates Team New Zealand leads LVC Final 2-1

There is no second in the Louis Vuitton Cup. Luna Rossa had a daggerboard problem in Saturday’s race 1. ETNZ dropped out of race 2 when the control system for their hydraulics failed on Sunday. Luna Rossa pulled out of race 3 on Monday with a wing control problem.

AC-72-Luna-Rossa-daggerboard-lift-broken — Luna Rossa struggles to repair daggerboard lift system before race 1. Image: ACTV

Wind limits exceeded – three races blown out

Americas-Cup-2013-postpone — America’s Cup race committee boat. Image: ACTV

The plan for two races per day has been blown off course by San Francisco’s reliable sea breeze, which builds through the afternoon. The wind limit for August is 21 knots, adjusted up or down by the speed of the flood or ebb tide.

Race 1: Luna Rossa daggerboard break down

Luna Rossa’s daggerboard lift system broke just before the start of Race 1. They made a repair and started but it broke again at the first mark.

Emirates Team New Zealand nosedives

ETNZ buried their bows at the windward gate and lost two men overboard, but they finished race 1 to take a 1-0 lead.

AC-72-ETNZ-bows-buried — ETNZ had a scare at the windward gate but survived to pick up the point. image: ACTV

ETNZ-mob — Chris Ward and Rob Waddell were recovered unhurt. Image ACTV

AC72-ETNZ-fairing-damage — ETNZ’s nosedive in race 1 tore the fairing off the forward beam. Image: ACTV

Race 2: Emirates Team New Zealand loses hydraulic power

On Sunday it was ETNZ’s turn to lose a race because of mechanical problems when their hydraulic system failed during race 2. Luna Rossa scored the win to even the series 1-1.

AC72-ETNZ-hydraulics — ETNZ dropped out of race 2 with hydraulics problems. Luna Rossa picked up the point. Image: ACTV

Race 3: Luna Rossa breaks wing control

Monday’s race 3 went to ETNZ as Luna Rossa damaged their wing control system and could not finish. A sheave – the wheel in a pulley – broke in the controls at the bottom of the wing.

AC72-Luna-Rossa-wing-sheave — Luna Rossa crew looking for the problem with their wing in race 3. Image: ACTV

Racing continues with ETNZ leading 2-1

Races 4 and 5 are planned for Wednesday. Race 6 is now scheduled on Friday, a reserve day. Racing will continue until one team has scored seven points. For the full schedule, see the updated calendar in the AC Guide.

Breakdowns in first three Louis Vuitton Cup races

Wind limits exceeded – three races blown out