NEXT GENERATION TALENT GOES HEAD-TO-HEAD FOR THE UNICREDIT YOUTH AMERICA’S CUP
It’s the match-up for the ages as today Marco Gradoni and Harry Melges go head-to-head in a one match race, winner-takes-all final to decide the title of UniCredit Youth America’s Cup champion. These two fine sailors, generational talents that could well be deciding future America’s Cups for decades to come, are almost impossible to split and it’s a fool's game predicting the winner. However, aside from the star helms, the make-up of the crews could well be the deciding factor in this thrilling match-up.
For Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, the speed-merchants who have shown unbelievably consistent results and comebacks from impossible situations, Gradoni is joined by the helming brilliance of Gianluigi ‘Gigi’ Ugolini, and the trim talent of Rocco Falcone and Federico Colaninno. Melges meanwhile, for NYYC American Magic, has the fast driving Kyle Navin in the port pod and the emerging talents of Severin Gramm and Finn Rowe on trim.
With so much emphasis on manoeuvre execution, whichever teams wins the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup will, for sure, know that this is a whole team effort with everyone performing at the very peak of their ability.
Conditions today will be key and the Race Committee, eyeing the potential serious sea-state later in the day, made the wise decision to run the AC40 racing at 12:20 CET to avoid the building wave peaks and shortening period that are expected through the afternoon. It is still expected to be sporty with a predicted 12-14 knots and waves around 0.9 metres so we are expecting a fast and furious final. The usual match-race rules apply with NYYC American Magic coming in from the port end at 2 minutes 10 seconds and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli entering the starting box from the starboard end at 2 minutes.
One of the highlights of the Barcelona summer of sailing, the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup is all set with the finest sailors going head-to-head for all the marbles. This is going to be brilliant and at the end of it, a champion will be crowned. Remember the names, this is just the start of a rivalry that will run and run.
CHECK BACK HERE AT 12:20 CET FOR LIVE COVERAGE FROM THE RACECOURSE OF THE INICREDIT YOUTH AMERICA’S CUP FINAL
UniCredit Youth America's Cup Final
Flat water and a solid breeze, this is going to be an electric crescendo to the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup. There’s real tension on the water, you can feel it with everything on the line. At the start, Kyle Navin dials NYYC American Magic into the pre-start box early and get an immediate penalty - the pressure is on. ITA come in at 2 minutes and gybe immediately over to the right of the box before gybing at the boundary with just over a minute to go and, with USA leading back, are happy to sit on their stern before dialling up and starting to windward.
USA are forced to take their penalty, and have to get 75 metres back which is a serious advantage to ITA after the first tack. ITA lead up this first of six legs and are covering closely, not letting USA get any leverage at all as the boats sail up the middle-right of the course. ITA nail a superb starboard layline and at the first mark, bear-away at 40 knots for the first downwind, heading to the right (looking downwind). USA have a big spill around the top mark and ITA are sailing away at the moment.
Mid-way down the run, ITA are stretching into a 400 metre lead and looking super-smooth onboard. A long starboard gybe down the course is ended on the left boundary with a clean gybe for ITA whilst USA has another touchdown. At the first leeward gate, ITA go for a double-board round up with a 32 second lead. USA execute a fine one-board round up but they are in desperate-straits to try and close the gap here on a storming Luna Rossa.
Both boats head to the right side of the course and there’s no change on the second beat, with ITA sailing beautifully and making lovely gains. At the second windward gate, Luna Rossa bear away at 46 knots with a lead now out to 35 seconds. USA splits tactics downwind and heads out to the right boundary before gybing whilst ITA bounces off the left and comes back to the middle to cover before hitting starboard layline and rounding up, again double-boarded for safety. The Italians are now just two legs away from the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup.
Up the final windward leg and there’s just no passing lanes for USA who rounded the final leeward gate on one-board for speed and then succumbed to a slow first tack. ITA are holding steady with a lead of approximately 350-400 metres and are sailing conservatively, making no mistakes. Brilliant and dominant sailing, this is front-running at its finest and its Gigi Ugolini who bears Luna Rossa away at the final windward mark, hitting 46 knots off the starboard gate marker and heading over to the left boundary with a 41 second lead.
There’s simply nothing that NYYC American Magic can do in the face of such determined sailing who survive a poor final gybe and splashdown to win the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup with a finishing delta of 36 seconds. Wild celebrations onboard. Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli are the outstanding winners. Brilliant execution. Wonderful sailing. Utter composure when it mattered.