Luna Rossa Clinches Victory, Advances to Tomorrow’s Final
Preliminary Regatta Barcelona Day 3: Luna Rossa Secures Spot in Final
Another impressive performance by Luna Rossa!
The Italian team earned their third point in the regatta, demonstrating their ability to navigate the light and unstable winds. They made strategic and precise decisions both onshore and offshore, executing clean maneuvers and maintaining consistent sailing despite challenging conditions.
“We are very happy with this win,” said Francesco “Checco” Bruni after the race. “We made all the right choices, starting with the larger headsail, as suggested by our coach, Hamish Willcox.”
MATCH #11: ITA vs GBR
After their triumph over Alinghi, the British team, led by Sir Ben Ainslie, was aggressive in their approach, aiming to dominate the course. However, things took a turn when they incurred penalties due to an early entry in the pre-start box and crossing the left boundary too soon. This allowed Luna Rossa to take the lead, rounding the first mark 23 seconds ahead.
From that point, the Italian crew sailed flawlessly, avoiding mistakes and controlling their opponent while optimizing the weak and shifting breeze. The race was ultimately shortened due to the declining wind conditions, but Luna Rossa finished strong, crossing the line 46 seconds ahead of INEOS Britannia.
Winner: Luna Rossa (+1)
Luna Rossa’s crew today included helmspersons Jimmy Spithill and Francesco Bruni, with Umberto Molineris and Andrea Tesei as trimmers. The cyclors were Enrico Voltolini, Emanuele Liuzzi, Cesare Gabbia, and Luca Kirwan.
Tomorrow, August 25, Luna Rossa will face off against Alinghi Red Bull Racing in Match #14. Following all races of the day, the top two teams will clash in a match race final to determine the winner of the event.
Alex Tanaka, a seasoned sailor and marine journalist from Singapore, has a deep passion for the sea that began in childhood. With a degree in Marine Journalism from the National University of Singapore, Alex has built a reputation for insightful and engaging storytelling. Their work captures the excitement of sailing and the intricate details of maritime life, making them a respected voice in the sailing community. When not writing, Alex enjoys exploring new waters and participating in local regattas, always seeking the next adventure on the horizon.