Racing cancelled as time limit exceeded
by Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli 28 Sep 19:37 BST
28 September 2024
INEOS Britannia vs. Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli on Louis Vuitton Cup Final Race Day 2 - September 28, 2024 © David Maynard /
www.alleycatphotographer.com
Today's very challenging race, held in weak and unstable winds right from the start, was ultimately cancelled due to expiration of the time limit. Barcelona this morning felt like a completely different city compared to two days ago when winds were blowing over 20 knots.
The breeze was extremely light, forcing the Race Committee to delay the start by over an hour and a half. The match, once started, was then cancelled as neither of the two AC75s was able to complete the course within the 45-minute time limit.
MATCH #03 - GBR vs ITA
Luna Rossa opted for the left side of the course at the start, but the decision didn't pay off as GBR extended towards the right and managed to hold the lead, rounding the first mark in front. The race reopened during the first leeward leg, where Luna Rossa caught up and overtook the British boat and engaged in several lead changes.
As the boats were neck-to-neck however a gust favored the British, allowing them to round the second mark in front. On the fifth leg the wind completely died down, causing both boats to drop off their foils. From that point onwards both AC75s sailed in displacement mode, barely reaching 4 to 5 knots. In these conditions neither of the two could complete the course within the 45-minute time limit and the Race Committee was forced to cancel the match.
Luna Rossa's crew today featured Jimmy Spithill and Francesco Bruni at the helm, with Umberto Molineris and Andrea Tesei as trimmers. The cyclors on board were Enrico Voltolini, Bruno Rosetti, Cesare Gabbia and Emanuele Liuzzi.