Two Additional Victories for Luna Rossa on Day 2 of the Louis Vuitton Cup Semi-Finals
by Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli 15 Sep 11:12 PDT
15 September 2024
Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli vs. New York Yacht Club American Magic on Louis Vuitton Cup Semi-Finals Day 2 – 15th September 2024 © David Maynard / www.alleycatphotographer.com
It was another successful day for Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, as the team clinched two vital and hard-fought races against NYYC American Magic, increasing its score to a total of 4 points in the Louis Vuitton Cup Semi-Finals standings.
The weather on the second day of the Semi-Finals presented stronger winds than anticipated, with a southerly breeze reaching up to 15 knots during the races and a choppy sea state. Luna Rossa displayed outstanding performance in these conditions and made accurate decisions both on the water and ashore, from sail selection (including a mainsail change before the starting signal) to quick starts, smooth maneuvers, and strategic decisions. As the races unfolded seamlessly, the Italian team concluded the day with two wins.
“We had an excellent start. Jimmy did an outstanding job placing the boat exactly where we needed her on the line. We are very pleased because everything went well: the boat was incredibly fast, thanks to the remarkable efforts of the shore team and the onboard crew, especially the cyclors who put in tremendous work. Luna Rossa is back,” remarked helmsman Francesco “Checco” Bruni at the conclusion of the first race of the day.
MATCH #03 – USA vs ITA
Luna Rossa jumped out to an early lead at the start, coming in from the leeward side and forcing American Magic to tack right off the line. Sailing to the left, the Italian boat took control by navigating the wind shifts and simultaneously pushing the Americans toward the less favorable side of the course. Luna Rossa held a 13-second lead at the first gate, which expanded throughout the race due to excellent boat handling and effective strategies. American Magic made several attempts to recover, but the crew, led by Jimmy Spithill and Francesco Bruni, made no errors and allowed no openings for recovery, ultimately securing another crucial win.
Winner: ITA (+1)
MATCH #04 – ITA vs USA
The match began similarly to the previous one, with Luna Rossa starting from the leeward side and slightly ahead of the American boat. However, this time, their rivals remained close all the way to the left boundary. The Italian boat tacked and led at the first mark by 6 seconds, a lead that was solidified during the subsequent downwind leg. The race was challenging and intricate, with strong wind and waves necessitating keen attention to maintain the AC75 in optimal foiling conditions. The match seemed nearly over when American Magic closed the gap, rounding the fifth gate just 3 seconds behind. The final downwind leg was intense and closely contested, with both boats racing neck and neck. The outcome was uncertain until the last moment, but Luna Rossa maintained control to the finish line, winning by a narrow margin of 2 seconds.
Winner: ITA (+1)
Today, Luna Rossa’s crew included Jimmy Spithill and Francesco Bruni at the helm, with Umberto Molineris and Andrea Tesei as trimmers. The cyclors for both races were Enrico Voltolini and Bruno Rosetti, while Cesare Gabbia and Emanuele Liuzzi alternated with Paolo Simion and Luca Kirwan.
