Preliminary Regatta Barcelona Day 2: A clear-cut win for Luna Rossa over American Magic
by Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli 23 Aug 2024 19:13 BST
22 August 2024
Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli on Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta Barcelona Day 2 - August 23rd 2024 © Ian Roman / America's Cup
Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli brings a second point to the board in the Final Preliminary Regatta in Barcelona with a clear-cut and splendid win in the day's race against the American team.
Expectations for a very competitive match were high, in view of the performance and speed of the American boat, considered one of the most formidable opponents in this 37th America's Cup. In the pre-start, however, the helmsman duo Spithill and Bruni fully showcased their match-racing expertise, determining the outcome of the regatta from that moment onwards.
"We are thrilled," said Francesco "Checco" Bruni right after crossing the finish line. "Jimmy made an incredible start. We knew that the match with the Americans would be tough, and this result is really great for the whole team. We're not only pleased with the start but also with how we conducted the entire race overall. We are super happy."
MATCH #7 USA vs ITA
Starting promptly at 15:22, in an 11/14-knot breeze, the race had both boats entering the pre-start box aggressively. However, just seconds before the start, Jimmy Spithill, with a textbook match race maneuver, forced the American boat outside the starting line. With no choice other than go back to the start, NYYC American Magic notched up a delay that Luna Rossa took advantage of immediately, sailing to the favored side of the course. From that moment the Italian boat followed the wind with tactical tacks, always covering her opponent and extending the lead to the first gate, rounding the mark with a 17-second advantage.
Fully focused, notwithstanding a solid lead, Luna Rossa led the rest of the race in front, poised and in complete control of the boat, well-aware that American Magic only needed one simple mistake to overturn the situation. At the end of a flawless race the Italian boat crossed the finish line with a 40-second lead.
Winner: Luna Rossa (+1)
Luna Rossa's crew today featured Jimmy Spithill and Francesco Bruni at the helm, with Umberto Molineris and Andrea Tesei as trimmers. The cyclors were: Enrico Voltolini, Emanuele Liuzzi, Cesare Gabbia and Luca Kirwan.
Tomorrow, August 24, Luna Rossa will compete in Match #11 against INEOS Britannia.