Luna Rossa qualifies for Louis Vuitton Cup final against Ineos Britannia
Luna Rossa beats American Magic and earns a place in the Louis Vuitton Cup final against Ineos Britannia
3' min read
3' min read
And here is the Red Moon we want to see, full of silver reflections, powerful, strong. First without doubts, hesitations. This is how she won the fifth and final point needed to beat American Magic and thus access to the final of the Louis Vuitton Cup, which she will face against Ineos Britannia.
Racing finish with a clear advantage
.Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli dominated the race with American Magic, finishing with a consistent advantage: after an initial skirmish at the start they took the lead with a manoeuvre typical of match racing. It's called a hook, (like Captain Hook), in practice when the opponent veers ahead to cover you flank them full downwind and taking advantage of the higher speed you squeeze them into the wind and come off their bow forcing them to tack again. Yesterday this succeeded perfectly for Jimmy Spithill.
From then on, at the end of the first windward leg, it was non-stop control. At the end of the race the crew went wild, even with some colourful expressions, in a very Italian moment of joy.
"We would not have been content to finish here in the semifinals. We have a fast boat, we know how to use it, and we will make small modifications over the next few days to perfect its performance,' said left-hand helmsman Francesco 'Checco' Bruni. 'Let's continue with our rhythm, a little rest and then back out to sea to try. But without overdoing it. Better quality outings, which don't tire us out. The Americans were an opponent who trained us and we learnt a lot from them. But also from the other teams we always watch. Sometimes the video teaches more than the direct encounter'.
Now the Americans who have fought with honour, and every day resolutely sought victory, will have to give up the dream of bringing the America's Cup to the august halls of the New York Yacht Club that has "owned" it for 132 years and after the defeat in 1983 has never come close to bringing it home. So great joy in the Prada Pirelli household, with enthusiasm sky-high after the bad day that cost two defeats with the breakage of the mainsail traveller, repaired and made more solid during the night.
