It was the perfect start for Italy's America's Cup chasers: the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team won the first two matches against Sir Ben Ainslie's Ineos Team UK in the Prada Cup final. In initially light winds of six to nine knots, but also in the second match of the day with medium winds of 14 to 17 knots, the Azzurri had the bow twice and prevailed against the British team, which had been so strong in the preliminary round. Prada patriarch Patrizio Bertelli's racing team now leads 2-0 in the "first to win seven" series, in which the first team to sail to seven victories wins. Fan comments like these were the quick result on social media: "The Queen won't be pleased", "Shut up and keep working hard" or "What did the British papers say? Luna Rossa is going to cry? Well then..."
Despite the expected light winds, the first match of the day was able to start just two minutes late. It was clear to both teams that staying on the foils would be the most important thing in the light breeze. It was therefore obvious that the rivals were keen not to get into a duel with each other. The risk seemed too great. It was "Britannia's" hull that fell into the water first, while the Italians only just managed to avoid an involuntary emergency stop. As in previous races, "Luna Rossa" appeared more light-footed in dealing with just a few knots of wind and was able to get straight into the race, while Sir Ben Ainslie's Ineos Team UK was still struggling to get back on its feet. "When we finally did that," said four-time Olympic champion Ainslie after the race, "we were already half a course length behind." It was a perfect start for the Italians, but a painful experience for the English after their brilliant performance in the preliminary round. All the more so as the Azzurri extended their lead over the course of the race, even after the Brits had long since started to race on foils again. This was also due to the fact that they were penalised twice for oversailing the course limits.
Here you can watch the two opening races of the day once again
"Luna Rossa" already had a lead of 1 minute and 20 seconds at the first mark. At the finish they had turned this into 1 minute and 52 seconds - half a world in the fast foiling battle. The "Britannia" crew's hopes were raised when the wind picked up in the second race to between 14 and 17 knots and even created small white crests of foam on the course. The Brits flew into the starting box with similar foaming, visibly interested in the right-hand side. The Italian team jibed and followed. Everything pointed to a thrilling pre-start duel. Ineos Team UK initially defended its leading position, but was also a little too early for the start and had to slow down a little. Nevertheless, both teams eventually crossed the start line at a good speed and parallel to each other. In fact, observers even saw an advantage for the British at this moment, who had their bow slightly ahead of the Italians.
Helmsman Francesco Bruni and his team were unable to hold their position for long in the light downwinds of "Britannia" and had to turn away: Advantage Ineos Team UK. But the very next encounter showed that Luna Rossa had been able to make up ground with a wind shift. The Brits went through behind the Italians, who were subsequently able to reach the first mark eleven seconds ahead. The Brits headed for the same mark of the gate, but stopped shortly after the rounding, while the Italians stormed down the right-hand side of the course. Boat speeds for both boats now increased to between 43 and 45 knots. The Italians were able to extend their lead to 270 metres by the second mark.
Both teams had recognised that the left side of the course had an advantage. This can also be seen in their on-board communication in the replay of the live broadcast. The Italians had extended their lead to 19 seconds by the next third turning mark. After that, the Brits could no longer find an overtaking lane. Although they came a little closer, they only reached the finish line 26 seconds after the Italians. When analysing the race, both drivers - Sir Ben Ainslie, who was beaten twice, and Francesco Bruni, who won twice - were in complete agreement. Ainslie said: "The second race was really close." And Bruni confirmed: "It could easily have gone the other way round. We sailed well today, but we also made a few mistakes. We have to keep working hard. I think we will see many more close races."
What the sailors had to say after the 2-0 win for Italy's Cup chasers
Ainslie also confirmed after these two opening matches that the Italians had made the better choice with a smaller headsail in the second race: "That's a good point. A smaller headsail would probably have been the better choice." At the press conference after the races, Francesco Bruni even came to Ainslie's aid on this topic and confirmed: "The headsail decision was not a clear-cut matter. We had decided in favour of the smaller headsail, but didn't know whether that was right." Bruni, who is as experienced a match racer as Sir Ben Ainslie, was cautiously satisfied after a day that brought a smile to the face of his boss Patrizio Bertelli back home in Italy: "I'm happy because our boat not only got faster, but we also had no pre-start problems. And I am very happy with our land team. We had a very good overall package today." At the same time, Bruni warned: "It's a long series! Let's stay focussed and not waste time on early celebrations." This was also emphasised after the races on the water by the team's second helmsman, with whom Bruni shares his role in the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team. Jimmy Spithill said: "We also made a few mistakes today. We want to rectify them by tomorrow."
Sir Ben Ainslie naturally saw a need for action on this sunny day in Auckland, New Zealand: "I think both teams know they can do better. We have improved a lot in light winds, but not enough. In medium winds it's tighter. It depends on which team sails better. We are not happy with 0:2." His verdict on the speed potential of the boats: "Above ten knots, there are two very equal teams, both of which can win. Below ten knots, Luna Rossa has an advantage. But we've been getting better since day one." When asked whether his team's victory in the preliminary round and direct entry into the Prada Cup final put them at a disadvantage compared to the Italians, who defeated American Magic in the intermediate round and gained some match practice in the process, Ainslie said: "I don't think so. The first race today was decided by the fact that we didn't get on the foils. In the second race we sailed well - Luna Rossa even better. Today we had the worse end for us. That won't be the case tomorrow."
Ainslie would not be Ainslie if he did not make such a challenge to his opponent. The forecasts for the second day of the final and races three and four promise more wind than in the opener and new hope for the Brits. For the time being, however, the Italians are enthroned at the top of the interim standings with a 2-0 lead in the battle for a place in the 36th America's Cup, where the New Zealand defenders are eagerly awaiting their opponent.
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
