Artemis Racing 30,000 Euros the richer

Terry Hutchinson's team wins the Arzanà City of Venice Trophy

Venice - a docile place wind-wise you might think. Not so today when the Terry Hutchinson-steered Artemis Racing crew flew down the Grand Canal towards St Mark’s Square today in 25 knots to collect €30,000 of the €50,000 available prize money to claim line honours in the Arzanà City of Venice Trophy in front of huge crowds.

The brisk conditions initially forced the Race Committee to postpone racing until 16:00 and abandon the last two races of the Fleet Racing Series. Eventually racing took place in 16-20 knots, presenting a major challenge to the crews as they navigated down the very narrow channel to the finishing line off St Mark’s Square.

Plenty of current and tight boundaries, translated into several penalties at the start, but Artemis came through unscathed. Then a glitch with the port daggerboard saw Oracle Team USA and Emirates Team New Zealand roll Artemis, but the Swedish team successfully fought back to come out on top of the leaderboard.

“We faltered a little bit early on a gybe, but we did a good job of hitting the reset button,” said Hutchinson. “And then, it was a little bit a case of being in the right place at the right time. I’d love to claim it was tactical brilliance, but… we got a little puff of wind and that was it.

“Jimmy and the Emirates Team New Zealand guys sailed a good race. The reach into the finish was dodgy. We were certainly in the right place at the right time. It was a narrow course. Nerve wracking, fairly windy and we were in asset preservation mode thinking ahead to next week’s ACWS regatta.”

Commenting on the vast fleet of spectator boats, both yesterday and today, Hutchinson said: “It’s amazing! The America’s Cup and yachting is alive and well in Italy.”

Luna Rossa Piranha and Luna Rossa Swordfish, claimed the other podium positions.

With no additional races in the Fleet Racing Series today, the Chris Draper steered Luna Rossa Piranha won that after their standout, three wins yesterday and claimed the top prize, with Luna Rossa Swordfish and Energy Team also in the money.

“That was really good fun today,” said Swordfish helmsman Paul Campbell-James. “We clocked 27 knots on the speedo, which told us the race today would be pretty quick!

The Arzanà City of Venice Trophy is a prologue regatta, organized by the Compagnia della Vela di Venezia. The America's Cup World Series runs in Venice from Thursday 17 May until Sunday 20 May. Teams will have Monday off before practice training resumes on Tuesday and Wednesday.