NYYC American Magic (USA) vs Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli (Italy): A Thrilling Showdown on the Water
The high-speed duel between NYYC American Magic (USA) and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli (Italy) provided an exhilarating spectacle for fans of the America’s Cup. Both teams were determined to gain a crucial point and edge closer to facing New Zealand in the finals. What began as a tightly contested battle quickly turned into a demonstration of the Italians’ superiority in the latter stages. Here’s a minute-by-minute breakdown of this thrilling race.
As the starting horn blasted, NYYC American Magic was quick off the mark, seizing an early lead. However, the initial advantage didn’t last long. Italy, helmed by the experienced Luna Rossa team, caught up as the two boats approached the halfway point of the first leg.
By the end of leg one, Italy had surged ahead, establishing a 100-metre lead over the USA. Despite a penalty against the American team—triggered when they fell within 75 metres of Italy—the gap remained as American Magic had already slipped behind. At this stage, the race was still anyone’s to win, with the teams exchanging leads in a thrilling sequence as they approached the gate.
Italy was the first to reach the initial gate, passing through at 4 minutes and 10 seconds. They were closely followed by the USA, who trailed by only 14 seconds. However, the USA was struggling to maintain pace, dropping back by over 100 metres in the first quarter of the second leg.
Despite their early setback, the Americans started making a comeback. They pushed their boat to an impressive speed of 40 knots, slightly faster than their Italian rivals. As the leg progressed, the gap closed, and by the halfway point of leg two, there was just 30 metres separating the two teams. It was neck and neck heading into the second gate, with only five metres between the boats.
Luna Rossa managed to squeeze through the second gate first at 7:49, with American Magic just three seconds behind. Both teams were clearly battling for dominance, with the lead changing hands multiple times throughout the third leg. At one point, the USA surged ahead by 20 metres, only to lose ground after an unsuccessful attempt to force a penalty on Italy. Halfway through the leg, the Americans had fallen back by 40 metres.
In a back-and-forth exchange, neither team could hold onto the lead for long. USA briefly regained control three-quarters of the way through leg three, but only by a slim 30-metre margin.
Italy, once again showing their sailing expertise, reclaimed the lead going into the third gate, passing through at 12 minutes and 18 seconds. The USA followed seven seconds later, falling back by four seconds since the previous gate. Despite the narrow gap, it was clear that Italy had the momentum.
As both teams sped up leg four at 40 knots, the wind on the course began to shift. The wind speed fluctuated between 11 and 8 knots depending on the part of the course, testing the skill and adaptability of the crews. By the midway point of the fourth leg, the USA had dropped back by 250 metres, giving Italy a significant advantage.
Italy sailed through the fourth gate at 15:42, extending their lead. The Americans followed 19 seconds later, but by this stage, it was clear they were struggling to keep up with the blistering pace set by the Italians.
On the fifth leg, both teams sailed in lockstep, but it was not what the USA needed. They had to close the gap in this leg to stand a chance of pulling ahead in the final stretch. Unfortunately for the Americans, Italy powered through the final gate at 20:02, with American Magic following 26 seconds behind.
Entering the final leg with a massive lead, Italy extended their advantage even further. By the halfway point of leg six, Luna Rossa was 600 metres ahead of American Magic. The Italians sailed across the finish line with a time of 23 minutes and 24 seconds, securing their victory. The USA crossed the finish 22 seconds later, cementing their second-place finish in this close but ultimately decisive race.
This race was a tale of two halves. The first half was closely fought, with both teams trading the lead several times. However, as the race progressed, the Italians pulled ahead, demonstrating why they are among the top contenders in this America’s Cup campaign. With this victory, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli takes another step closer to challenging the reigning champions, New Zealand, in the finals. While American Magic remains in the race, they will need to regroup and come back stronger to keep their dreams alive.
