America's Cup: Last stand in vain - "Luna Rossa" meets "Britannia" in the final
With a lead of over 600 metres, the Italian Cup chasers from Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli brought what is probably the most exciting duel of the current 37th America's Cup to a clear end today. Yesterday, the American crew on "Patriot" was able to reduce the deficit to 3:4 after trailing 0:4 at one point. Memories of the legendary comeback from 2013, when Oracle Team USA turned a 1:8 deficit into a 9:8 victory, had long since been revived. In the end, however, it was not enough this time despite a strong performance.
"Congratulations to Luna Rossa, the better team won," said a visibly dejected Tom Slingsby, skipper of the American challengers from the New York Yacht Club, in his first reaction to the elimination. After a strong start on the left and the first cross, his team had been in the lead and gave the impression of having carried the momentum from the previous day onto the course. However, things got tricky on the approach to the first windward gate.
US team has to say goodbye to the America's Cup despite a race to catch up
"Patriot" had crossed "Luna Rossa" just off the bow and then lay to windward of the Italians. When they appeared to break through to leeward just a few seconds later with a speed advantage, American Magic decided to tack again. When the boats met again in the gate after just one more manoeuvre each, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli had already built up a lead of 20 seconds. On the second upwind leg, things got tight again, but the US sailors were no longer able to take the lead. After another weak downwind leg, the gap at the finish is ultimately 61 seconds.
"We have to keep our heads up, even though I'm still thinking about some of my bad decisions in this race. A big thank you to everyone in the American Magic family. What we have created here is unbelievable," said Slingsby. At the aforementioned America's Cup in 2013, the then newly crowned Laser Olympic champion was involved as strategist in the last American triumph at the most prestigious regatta in sailing. His helmsman at the time, Jimmy Spithill, was also largely responsible for the failure of his current US team.
After traveller breakage: Shore team worked through the night
As helmsman of "Luna Rossa", the 45-year-old once again proved his mental strength with a perfect race. Right from the start, the Italian team proved to be fast, agile and not the least bit careless in the still challenging but much more consistent conditions off Barcelona. However, this triumph was only made possible by a tour de force from the boat builders. "This victory goes to our shore team. They kept going all night and this is simply the best way to repay them," said Spithill.
Meanwhile, his Italian co-skipper on the port side could barely contain his joy. "I'm over the moon, almost more so than when we won the Prada Cup (elimination for the 36th America's Cup; editor's note) in Auckland in 2021," beamed Francesco Bruni after crossing the finish line. The six-time America's Cup winner also had special praise for the team on land: "The last 24 hours were particularly tough for the shore team, it wasn't an easy night. Psychologically, it was extremely difficult for the whole team. I am very proud!"
In the second race yesterday, Wednesday, the traveller of the shiny silver AC75 Cupper was damaged. With a loud bang, it tired out in a neck-and-neck race under the extreme load. It took less than 24 hours to get the foiler ready to race again, thus preserving the chance of making it to the final of the Louis Vuitton Cup.
Louis Vuitton Cup: European duel in the final
There, "Luna Rossa" will face Ben Ainslie's team "Britannia" in an all-European duel. The latter recorded another victory yesterday against the Swiss team from Alinghi Red Bull Racing and thus already secured their ticket to the final. Regardless of whether the Brits build on their strong run of form as Challenger of Record and clear the next hurdle, or whether Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli makes it back into the match after 2021, a team from Europe will compete against the defenders from Emirates Team New Zealand from 12 October.
While the Swiss and now the Americans head home, the two remaining challengers have exactly one week to lick their wounds before the showdown in the Louis Vuitton Cup begins on Thursday 26 September. In the meantime, the youngsters are already crowning their winners in the Youth America's Cup. For the first time, the German team will tomorrow from 2 pm be required.
