As the race began, the conditions were near-perfect, with winds ranging from 12 to 18 knots – a sailor’s dream. Italy took full advantage, surging ahead right from the starting gate. Within minutes, they established a significant lead, with a 150-metre advantage over their British rivals during the first leg. The fast-paced action was a testament to both teams’ skill, with speeds peaking at an impressive 51 knots as they flew down the first leg of the course.
Despite the early gap, the UK team refused to back down, closing the distance to just 60 metres midway through the opening leg. However, Italy’s precision and superior boat handling saw them reach the first gate at 3:20, maintaining a 12-second lead. As both boats rocketed through the gate at speeds of 47 knots, it became clear that the Italians were in no mood to relinquish control.
By the third gate, Italy had extended their lead to 275 metres, navigating the challenging waters of Barcelona’s harbour with ease. The UK, while holding steady, struggled to match the Italians’ blistering pace, particularly after a light nose-dive during leg three, which slowed them down and allowed the Italians to further extend their lead.
Halfway through the race, Italy continued to dominate, maintaining a gap of over 400 metres through leg four. The British team showed moments of promise, briefly reducing the distance to 300 metres, but the Italians were relentless, crossing the fourth gate at 13:01 – 18 seconds ahead of the UK.
As the race progressed into its latter stages, Italy displayed a clinical consistency, building their lead to an overwhelming 600 metres by the sixth leg. The UK managed to claw back a few seconds, but Italy’s performance remained faultless. By the time both boats entered the final leg, the Italians had extended their advantage to 850 metres, leaving no doubt about the outcome.
Crossing the finish line with a time of 27:03, Italy secured a convincing victory, finishing 46 seconds ahead of the UK. The result not only boosts Italian morale ahead of their upcoming final showdown with New Zealand but also cements their position as one of the strongest contenders in this year’s America’s Cup.
For Italy, this win is a significant morale boost. Coming off the back of their junior team’s triumph in the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup, the senior team will head into the final with renewed confidence. Meanwhile, the UK, despite a solid performance, will need to regroup and find answers if they hope to keep their campaign alive in the coming races.
As the Italian flag waved proudly, it became clear that this was more than just a victory – it was a statement of intent. If Italy continues to race with the precision and speed displayed today, they will be formidable challengers when they face New Zealand in the final.
For now, though, all eyes are on the Italians, and with the wind at their backs, the next chapter of the America’s Cup is set to be an unforgettable one.
