It’s take two in the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Qualifiers, as we head into the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Qualifiers Round Robin 2, with three intriguing encounters ahead on Bermuda’s Great Sound.

Following on from day three, arguably the most thrilling and contentious day of racing in the 35th America’s Cup so far, today promises to be just as dramatic and exciting with Emirates Team New Zealand, Artemis Racing, Groupama Team France, ORACLE TEAM USA and Land Rover BAR all in action.

Just as we left action at the end of Round Robin 1, we resume at the start of Round Robin 2, with a truly mouth-watering rematch between Emirates Team New Zealand and Artemis Racing in race one today.

In what proved the most thrilling race so far, a dramatic late penalty at the final gate denied Artemis Racing victory and handed the win to their Kiwi rivals in contentious circumstances.

It was a decision that America’s Cup Race Management Chief Umpire Richard Slater conceded, after the race, would have been different on reflection. However, with the decision made in the race, it cannot be reversed so the race result stands..

However, with such fine margins, meaning the pressure on the umpires to make the correct calls is greater than ever before, Artemis Racing helmsman Nathan Outteridge refused to lay blame at the umpires’ feet despite missing out on a valuable point and the notable scalp of the hotly-tipped Kiwis.

“That’s racing, sometimes you get the decisions and sometimes you don’t,” said Outteridge, whose team currently sit fourth in the standings with two points, two adrift of today’s second-placed opponents and a further point behind current leaders ORACLE TEAM USA.

Having sat out of action yesterday, the Defenders of the ‘Auld Mug’, ORACLE TEAM USA, return to the water today with an encounter against the improving Groupama Team France in race two.

Their French opponents head into the race in high spirits having won two races in the past two days, shocking both Artemis Racing and Land Rover BAR, having looked off the pace throughout practice racing.

“Compared to the beginning of the week we are very happy,” said helmsman Franck Cammas on his team’s upturn in performance.

“We are not perfect just yet but our speed is looking very good.”

Race three will see Artemis Racing return to the water for second time in what is an important race for their opponents Land Rover BAR and helmsman Sir Ben Ainslie.

Despite sitting third in the standings on three points, aided by their two-point reward for winning the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series, the British team have only managed to win one qualifying race, which fittingly enough came against Artemis Racing on day one of the competition.

But despite having gone two days without victory, having lost to Groupama Team France yesterday, Sir Ben Ainslie has backed his team to turn the tide.

“The team will regroup and come strong,” said Ainslie. “We have the talent and determination and with five points still available this is a long way from being over.”

Source : https://www.americascup.com/en/news/2598_Flying-into-Round-Robin-2.html