PRADA CUP SEMI-FINAL DAY 2

SF - Race 3
Start: 1515
Port: ITA
Stbd: USA
Course: A
Axis: 027
Length: 1.8nm
Current: 0.2 knots @ 009
Wind 12kts / 030
Winner: Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli (ITA) – 0:35

No one needed any convincing as to how important today’s racing was. For Luna Rossa, winning both races would launch them to the PRADA Cup final, for American Magic losing two races would see them heading for home. Win just one and they could keep their campaign alive, at least for another day.
So, the pressure was on and if there was a lesson to be learned from yesterday’s racing for the Americans it was that they had to win, or at least be even at the start.
When American Magic delivered a different approach to the pre-start, lining up to leeward of Luna Rossa as both boats headed in towards the start the Americans appeared to have set themselves up for a stronger start.
In the event it was even, American Magic at the pin end, Luna Rossa at the committee boat end, from here it was a drag race to the boundary.
Once there, both boats tacked onto port simultaneously and lined up for another straight line duel, this time towards the right hand boundary.
But sitting just to windward and astern of the Italians put the Americans in dirty air, a position that they struggled to maintain and a few minutes later they were forced to tack off. This was the first evidence of what would turn out to be a pattern of strong defensive play by Luna Rossa.
By the first gate Luna Rossa were 13 seconds ahead. By the bottom of the first downwind leg they had squeezed a few more seconds out to lead by 22 secs.
While there was now a physical distance of around 300m between the two, it was clear that Luna Rossa were taking nothing for granted, tacking to cover each time American Magic tried to break free.
“Let’s keep the foot on the throat” said Spithill in comms to co-helmsman Francesco Bruni shortly before they tacked yet again to cover their opponents. Picking the side of the course that they wanted and controlling the situation, this was textbook match racing from the Italians.
By Gate 3 they had stretched out more distance to lead by 41sec, the race looked like it was only going one way. And yet by Gate 4 American Magic had pulled the gap down to 18sec, could they claw back from here?
By the top gate for the last time the answer was no. Luna Rossa was the faster boat upwind and while Patriot seemed quicker downwind it was not enough for the Americans to pull themselves back into the race.
By the end Luna Rossa crossed the finish line 35sec ahead. They had sailed another perfect race. One more victory and they would be on for the Prada Cup final, could they smell victory?
“No, no, we don’t smell anything,” said Francesco Bruni after the race. “We don’t smell anything yet!”