The starting phase of the first clash between the rivals in the semi-final of the challengers in particular had raised hopes of an exciting competition. Artemis Racing had at least briefly pulled away from Luna Rossa. But the second match confirmed all fears: Artemis Racing is hopelessly outclassed. During the entire race, the Swedes were unable to match the top speeds of the Italians in light wind conditions of around eleven knots.
Steersman Nathan Outteridge was barely able to help the blue car onto the wings, whereas the Italian Silver Arrow was able to do so seemingly effortlessly. It did manage to reduce the gap by 59 seconds on a downwind leg. However, it mainly benefited from a wind shift, which had nothing to do with better speed. The Italians promptly sailed 55 seconds ahead of the wind again. The Swedish team is still unable to complete the gybes in flying mode on the centreboards. This is where Artemis Racing's enormous lack of training and apparently also its technical inferiority, whose designer Juan Koujoumdjian had initially opted for a non-flying boat, became most apparent.
The second clash between Luna Rossa and Artemis Racing
At the finish, Luna Rossa was two minutes and six seconds ahead - that is worlds apart, regardless of the sailing discipline. Like the Italians, you can even afford blackouts. Like on the second downwind leg, when the sheet was obviously not jibed and the cat tipped onto the nose of the leeward hull at full speed. With more wind, such a manoeuvre would have been an ideal condition for capsizing.
The hope of such failures is the only thing left for the Swedes after what they have shown so far. The Italians still need two wins to reach the final of the challengers against the New Zealanders. And there seems to be nothing to stop them, apart from themselves.
The next two races are scheduled for 9 and 10 August.
Lars Bolle
Chief Editor Digital
