Italian challenge Luna Rossa, helmed by Jimmy Spithill, qualified for the America’s Cup by pushing British challenge Ineos Team UK out of its way, with seven wins to one on Sunday in Auckland. A fine performance, rewarded with the Prada Cup, but the hardest part remains to be done. From March 6, the Italians will face Team New Zealand, the America’s Cup holder since 2017.
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“Fantastico! Fantastico, Bellissimo ”, rejoiced the Italian Francesco Bruni, after this brilliant victory gained in only eight races. “It’s a great day for us, for Luna Rossa and for Italy. We are very, very happy. We are in the race for victory in the America’s Cup now, ”he said.
Luna Rossa started the day with five one-sided heats at Ineos Team UK, before easily taking heats 7 and 8 to win, with the Prada Cup final contested for the best of 13 heats. . The Italian boat concluded the two key rounds with a gap of one minute 45 seconds on the virtual finish line, then 56 seconds, to shatter Ineos’ hopes of a comeback.
Third attempt
Under a blue sky in Auckland Bay (New Zealand), everything was decided at the start, a crucial strategic moment. Spithill has gained the upper hand over British sailing legend Ben Ainslie, who was unable to bring Ineos Team UK back into battle. “Sorry guys,” Ainslie said to his teammates after the final heat, before congratulating Luna Rossa. “Well done to Italy! he said. I know what it means for Italy to reach the America’s Cup final. ”
The 36th edition of the legendary America’s Cup will see an Italian challenger for the third time, after Il Moro di Venezia, beaten in 1992 by America 3 (4-1), and Luna Rossa, defeated in 2000 by New Zealand (5 -0).
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