MADRID, 31 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Italian team Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli demonstrated its skills in the Louis Vuitton Cup on Saturday, winning two points from two races and leading the third-day standings in the 37th edition of the America’s Cup sailing competition, which is being held in Barcelona.
Light winds brought both elation and frustration, as a lapse in concentration or a drop in wind pressure would spell disaster. Alongside Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, the winners of the day’s other individual races, such as NYYC American Magic, Emirates Team New Zealand and INEOS Britannia, can draw many positives from this.
But Alinghi Red Bull Racing, Swiss Challenger and Orient Express Racing Team look up the rankings knowing they are fighting to survive.
It was a tough one for the Swiss, who recorded their third straight defeat in this Louis Vuitton Cup when their foils fell off in the dirty winds launched mercilessly at the start of their race against INEOS Britannia, which itself survived a late foil fall on the final run and then recovered. But then the British lost in light winds against Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, with another foil fall.
On paper, the race of the day was the one between Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli and NYYC American Magic, two very evenly matched teams whose only difference was a bad tack from the Americans on the opening beat. Once ahead, Luna Rossa never looked back, even though the gap did not increase in the remaining five legs and the Americans kept the race close.
However, NYYC American Magic did score a point against Orient Express Racing after a light wind race in which both boats struggled to stay on the foils in tricky waters. The Americans did better and, although the race was close at times and the French showed off their fast design, in the end a bad layline choice and a gybe sentenced Orient Express.
Another team to score points on Saturday was Emirates Team New Zealand, having returned to the race course with their repaired ‘Taihoro’. An unopposed race against the French, who retired before the start due to problems with the mainsail, allowed the ‘kiwis’ to test their AC75 at race pace and pass this test with flying colours.
Racing will continue on Sunday with the conclusion of the first Round Robin of this Louis Vuitton Cup, with four races scheduled. The first race of the day will be the final race abandoned on Saturday between Alinghi Red Bull Racing and Emirates Team New Zealand, followed by the three concluding races.