America’s Cup racing off Barcelona was halted due to lightning, with Italy securing a victory over New Zealand. The round-robin stage continues with intense competition among the challengers.
Bollywood Fever: Racing in the America’s Cup qualifier between defending champions New Zealand and the formidable Italian team was abruptly halted on Tuesday due to a lightning strike near the racecourse off Barcelona. The electrifying moment forced officials to abandon the day’s competition as stormy conditions loomed over the Mediterranean.
Italy, leading New Zealand during the double round-robin stage of the event, had the upper hand from the start. The Italians, piloting their high-speed AC75 ‘foiling’ carbon-fiber yacht, reached speeds exceeding 40 knots and quickly established a dominant lead. The race was awarded to Italy after New Zealand withdrew following the near lightning strike.
As dark skies and worsening weather conditions set in, race officials made the decision to cancel the remaining races for the day, prioritizing safety over continuing the competition.
In the broader context of the America’s Cup, five potential challengers—Britain, France, Italy, the United States, and Switzerland—are competing in the Louis Vuitton Cup round-robin stage. This series will determine which team will be eliminated before the semi-final round, where the four remaining teams will battle for a spot in the final. The ultimate goal is to secure the right to challenge New Zealand for the prestigious ‘Auld Mug,’ the world’s oldest international sporting trophy, first contested in 1851 off the English coast.
Tuesday’s other race saw Switzerland secure a much-needed victory over France, who experienced technical issues that caused them to drop off their hydrofoils, keeping the Swiss team in contention. As the round-robin stage progresses, Italy currently tops the leaderboard with four wins, followed by Britain with three, the United States with two, and Switzerland and France each with one victory.
With America’s Cup campaigns costing tens of millions of dollars and fought with state-of-the-art racing yachts akin to Formula One cars on water, the competition remains fierce as teams vie for the chance to challenge New Zealand in the final showdown.
Also Read Latest Sports News, Ugandan Runner Rebecca Cheptegei Hospitalized After Being Set on Fire by Boyfriend in Kenya
Tyrese Haliburton Rides High After Olympic Gold as New NBA Season Approaches
Bill O’Brien Leads Boston College to Historic Victory Over No. 10 Florida State