PRADA CUP SEMI-FINAL RACE 1

Start: 1515
Port: USA
Stbd: ITA
Course: C
Axis: 214
Length: 1.76nm
Current: 0 knots
Wind
21 knots / 225 degrees
Winner: Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli – 2min 43sec

As the start of the first Semi-final race approached the breeze was up against the stops. The forecast was for conditions to decrease through the afternoon but for the time being there was little evidence of this.

As American Magic entered the pre-start zone it was clear just how breezy conditions were as the American team struggled to keep control as they crossed Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, a small issue but one that caused problems later in in the pre-start sequence.

As both teams worked their way down into the bottom of the pre-start zone it was Luna Rossa who gained the upper hand when both boats turned back for their approach to the start line. The Italians were just to leeward of the Americans and in a position where they could control the pace of the game as they prepared to start, holding American Magic up.
When Luna Rossa did pull the trigger they did so with perfect timing and led across the start line. American Magic were forced to follow.

By the top of the first beat and through Gate 1 Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli were 18 secs ahead and looking very smooth. Meanwhile, American Magic may have been trailing but the confidence in their newly repaired boat was building by the metre.

After the first lap Luna Rossa had pulled out a few more seconds to round 22 sec ahead. This was a pattern that continued around the four lap race.

The big change happened at Gate 3 when American Magic struggled during the bear away and lost control temporarily. Their boat had been travelling at 53kts, the fastest yet, but as they came crashing off the foils they were forced to tack around rather than gybe in order to keep things safe. And while they emerged unscathed, the problem had allowed Luna Rossa to pull out a lead of 2min 25sec.

One more lap of the course did little to change anything other than extending the Italian lead slightly further to see Luna Rossa finish 2min 43secs ahead.
On the face of it a big loss for American Magic, but for both teams there were positive features to take away from this opening race of the semi-final.
For Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli their performance had been extremely smooth in difficult conditions, the Italians had clearly upped their game.

For American Magic, getting the boat around the course safely had allowed them to build confidence in both their boat and their ability to bounce back.