Team Alinghi Red Bull Racing knows its next opponent in the preliminary round of the America's Cup. The Swiss syndicate will face Team Ineos Britannia in the semi-finals on Saturday.
As winners of the two round robins in the Louis Vuitton Cup, the cup of the five challengers, the British were allowed to choose their semi-final opponent. The fact that the Alinghi team was chosen is logical from a sporting point of view. The Swiss have so far made the weakest impression of the remaining challengers.
Ineos Britannia, which has beaten Alinghi three times in three races in Barcelona (one of them in the pre-regatta), is therefore the clear favorite. In the second semi-final between Luna Rossa Prada and American Magic, the cards also appear to be clearly distributed. The Italians emerged victorious against the Americans in all three duels off the Catalan metropolis.
The semi-finals, which will be played in a best-of-9 format, will take place over six days from Saturday. The defending champions, Team New Zealand, who have been out of contention for the last time, will now be spectators. The New Zealanders will face the winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup in the 37th America's Cup from October 12.
SDA
