It was almost like Bayern versus Unterhaching in football. Both opponents played on the same pitch according to the same rules, only one was light years better. Conclusion: Luna Rossa missed the time limit by more than two minutes, while Team New Zealand scored the maximum number of points for the Round Robins and still isn't satisfied.
Dean Barker and his colleagues masterfully utilised their boat positioning and the tide rising at more than 2 knots in the pre-start skirmish to put the Italians well behind right from the start. The fact that Luna Rossa had got a rudder stuck when craning in at low water, which meant that a last-minute repair was needed, may have been a hindrance. To explain the huge difference in performance with this alone would be ridiculous.
The New Zealanders gradually extended their lead in around 19 knots of wind and an increasing current and showed impressive form, which was particularly evident in the gybes when the boat remained on the foils throughout, while Luna Rossa simply could not manage this feat. The Italian cat also appeared to be trimmed bow-heavy, which may have something to do with the angle of attack of the trim tabs on the rudder.
Afterwards, Prada helmsman Chris Draper called the difficulties "teething problems", which sounds slightly abstruse in that the Italians have been using this boat since last winter and have been training together with the New Zealanders. And despite their overwhelming superiority, they believe they are still a long way from reaching their peak: "Generally speaking, there were no glaring mistakes today," said skipper Dean Barker. "But the level of performance we want to achieve is clearly beyond the current one. We know that we can do better."
The Kiwis also won the round robins of the Louis Vuitton Cup with the maximum of 7 points without having to break a sweat. They can now choose whether to go straight into the final of the elimination round or sail a semi-final against an opponent of their choice. The choice is not promising: the helpless-looking Italians or Artemis, who are leaving the harbour today for the first time ever with their blue boat. The days and weeks until 7 September, until the start of the "real" America's Cup, drag on for an eternity.
