Boating New Zealand Boat Reviews
Reviews
Boating New Zealand News
News
Boating New Zealand Sports
Sport
Boating New Zealand Lifestyle
Lifestyle
BOAT-REVIEWS-MOBILE
Boat Reviews
BOAT-NEWS-MOBILE
News
BOAT-SPORTS-MOBILE
Sports
BOAT-LIFESTYLE-MOBILE
Lifestyle
HomeAmerica's CupAC37Youth America's Cup : Luna Rossa Confirm Star Billing

Youth America’s Cup : Luna Rossa Confirm Star Billing

Published

Remember the names of Marco Gradoni and Gianluigi Ugolini, two nailed-on future stars of the America’s Cup for sure, who today confirmed their top billing, scoring two straight wins for Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli on day two of the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup.

Bookmark post
Bookmarked
Bookmark post
Bookmarked

It was another very tricky day in Barcelona with a sea-state of almost a metre and a shifting, patchy breeze that ranged from 8 to 14 knots making the racing a real challenge for the sailors with manoeuvre consistency and big-fleet tactical acumen rewarded.

September 17, 2024. UniCredit Youth America’s Cup, Race Day 2 – Group A. Orient Express – L’Oréal Racing Youth Team with a broken jib.

In the opening Unicredit Youth America’s Cup fleet race of the day, and the third in Group A, the America’s Cup team representatives division, both NYYC American Magic and Orient Express L’Oreal Racing Team were unable to compete.

The remaining four teams from Italy, Switzerland, New Zealand and Great Britain took flight and put on a heck of a display. A tight first beat was aced by Emirates Team New Zealand at the first turning gate, with the British Athena Pathway crew and the Italians giving chase close behind. Italy, paralleling on port tack, were given a boat boundary penalty on the final approaches into the first gate for getting too close to the British as they both ducked to avoid a collision with the right-of-way, starboard tack, Kiwis.

September 17, 2024. UniCredit Youth America’s Cup, Race Day 2 – Group A. Alinghi Red Bull Racing Youth Team, Emirates Team New Zealand Women’s Team

On the first downwind, however, having expunged their penalty Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli capitalised on gybe errors from the Kiwis and British to seize a lead that they would never lose over the next four legs. Crossing the finish line at 30 knots some 500 metres ahead, Marco Gradoni and Gianluigi Ugolini, hugely experienced team members of Luna Rossa, consolidated their lead in the series whilst Athena Pathway scored a vital second and Emirates Team New Zealand finished third. The race is well and truly on now for that vital top three spot.

All eyes were set on race two of the day and number four of the series, but it was a familiar story with Luna Rossa powering off the start line with pace and height to really put the pressure on the fleet. Initial competition came from Emirates Team New Zealand, but their challenge faded after manoeuvre errors down the first run that allowed the Italians to extend and never be headed.

- Advertisement -
September 17, 2024. UniCredit Youth America’s Cup, Race Day 2 – Group A. Emirates Team New Zealand Youth Team

The story of the race though was for second and third, with Athena Pathway and Alinghi Red Bull Racing duking it out tack-for-tack and gybe-for-gybe all the way to the finish. The British squeezed ahead on the final gybe to secure their second runners-up place of the day and move themselves up the points table.

Luna Rossa’s two victories today sees them extend their lead at the top of the Group A leaderboard to 12 points ahead of NYYC American Magic in second and Great Britain’s Athena Pathway in third.

Luna Rossa trimmer Rocco Falcone confirmed the team had enjoyed what he described as ‘a great day on the water’.

September 17, 2024. UniCredit Youth America’s Cup, Race Day 2 – Group A. Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Youth Team Photo Credit: AC37 media

“It was tricky again, big waves and good breeze that came in, it was super dynamic, super shifty and puffy. The boys sailed well and we had two great races where we made great starts and after that just kept it simple and kept it fast.”

Meanwhile, Luna Rossa helmsman Gianluigi Ugolini gave an insight into the team’s approach for the coming races saying:

“We are sailing well, but we are just focusing on our next races. The team is working to do our best and we’re happy with the performance but just focussing on the next few days and we just talk about improving our sailing skills.

We haven’t done much sailing in these big conditions, so we are just focusing on our boat-handling, and we are not talking about the points at the moment. For sure it would be a beautiful thing to win the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup, but at the moment we cannot think that far ahead, we are just thinking about qualifying for the semi-final.”

September 17, 2024. UniCredit Youth America’s Cup, Race Day 2 – Group A. Emirates Team New Zealand Youth Team. Photo Credit: AC37 media

Four more races are to come for the America’s Cup teams of Group A, but tomorrow all eyes will be on the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup Group B Invited Teams who are scheduled to start racing tomorrow.

The UniCredit Youth America’s Cup is delivering top-class racing from the sport’s coming superstars in the perfect pathway yacht for the next generation to shine⏤the AC40.

SHARE:

Related Articles

Comments

This conversation is moderated by Boating New Zealand. Subscribe to view comments and join the conversation. Choose your plan →

This conversation is moderated by Boating New Zealand.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Boating New Zealand
Boating New Zealandhttps://www.boatingnz.co.nz
Boating NZ is New Zealand’s premier marine title devoted to putting its readers behind the wheel of the latest trailerboats, yachts and launches to hit the market. It inspires with practical content and cruising adventures, leads the fleet with its racing coverage and is on the pulse of the latest maritime news and innovation.

More from Boating New Zealand

International SailGP teams pus...

The international teams at the Sydney SailGP event brought the heat, naviga...
NewsNewsRun-up to Sydney

White Pointer boats celebrates...

To honour its impressive 30th Anniversary milestone, White Pointer Boats ho...
Anniversaries & MilestoneEvents & GatheringsFishing

NZ Antique & Classic Boat...

The stunning alpine backdrop, the beauty of vintage boats, and a uniquely c...
News

Close calls, a capsize and a c...

Tension rises as Sydney’s practice races set the stage for intense competit...
Run-up to SydneySailGP

New Zealand’s SailGP Cha...

The Black Foils faced a tough outing in Auckland, struggling to find their ...
Run-up to SydneySailGP

Historic boat sinks in D’Entre...

A rare and historic vessel has been lost in Tasmania’s D’Entrecasteaux Chan...
Australian Wooden Boats FestivalBoating Festivals & EventsGlobal Coastguard Updates
-- ADVERTISEMENT --

Follow Us

Weekly Newsletter

Stay up to date with the latest developments shaping New Zealand's Boating world.

Social Media

Follow us on social media to stay in the loop with the latest trends and news shaping New Zealand's boating scene!

-- THINGS WE LOVE --

GET
STARLINK
HERE

-- DIRECTORY LISTING --

NZ Events Worth Adding to Your Calendar

Have an event you'd like to list on Boating New Zealand. Contact us with the details.

Catch all the action of the Vendée Globe Race, starting 10 Nov, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. Follow along with excitement at Boating New Zealand.

FISHING

Stabicraft Fish N Chicks Tournament, 6 - 8 Feb 2025 in Tauranga. Dress up theme is “Ladies of their Time”. Raising funds to help find a cure for Breast Cancer.

Surtees Annual Fishing Competition, 28 Feb - 1 Mar 2025 in Whakatane

Hook Me Up Fishing Competition - Matakana vs Hillside, 7 Mar 2025 in Whakatane

The Kubota Billfish Classic, 12 - 15 Mar 2025 in Mercury Bay, Whitianga

ITM Fishing Competition, 13 - 16 Mar 2025 in Whangaroa

NZ Lure Masters (Catch, Measure and Release competition), 3 & 4 Oct 2025, New Zealand wide

Stabicraft Te Anau Manapouri Fishing Classic, 25 - 27 Oct 2025 TBC in Te Anau Manapouri

REGATTAS

New Zealand Sail Grand Prix, 8 & 9 Feb 2025 in Sydney

Toyota Youth International Match Racing Cup, 26 Feb - 4 Mar 2025 in Auckland

PIC Harbour Classic, 28 Feb - 1 Mar 2025 in Auckland

Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race 2025, starting 11 Oct 2025 TBC from Sydney Harbour

PIC Insurance Brokers Coastal Classic, 24 Oct 2025 TBC from Auckland to Russell

Rolex Sydney to Hobart, 26 Dec 2025 starts in Sydney, Australia

Bay of Islands Sailing Week, end of Jan 2026 at Bay of Islands

NZ Millenium Cup, Feb 2025 at Waitemata Harbour

HYDRO THUNDER

Lucas Oil Hydro Thunder Race - Karapiro, 7 - 9 Feb 2025 at Karapiro

Lucas Oil Hydro Thunder Race - Lake Rotoiti, 8 - 9 Mar 2025 at Nelson Lakes

Lucas Oil Hydro Thunder Race - Lake Twizel, 29 - 30 Mar 2025 at Twizel

JET BOAT RACING

UIM World Jetsprint Championships, 25 Jan -2 Feb 2025 at Wanaka (25 & 26 Jan) and Wanganui (1 & 2 Feb)

2024/25 NZ Jetsprint Championship R4, 23 Feb 2025 at Wanganui

2025 NZ Marathon Coast-to-Coast, 16 to 25 Mar 2025 starting at Greymouth ad finishing at Christchurch

2024 Golden Homes NZ Jet Boat Marathon, 2025 dates TBC on Southland Rivers (Oreti, Waiau and Mataura)

National Jet Boat Rally 2024, 2025 date TBC at Oliver Road, Bendigo (near Cromwell)

WATERSPORTS

Yamaha Rollo's Marine Bridge 2 Bridge, 2025 dates tbc Staged on the Waikato River between Cambridge & Taupiri, based in Hamilton, New Zealand

ANTIQUE, CLASSIC & RETRO BOATS

25th NZ Antique & Classic Boat Show , 1 & 2 Mar 2025 at Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes

SHOWS

Moana Auckland - New Zealand's Ocean Festival, 27 Jan to 9 Mar 2025 in Auckland

Auckland Boat Show, 6 - 9 Mar 2025 to be held at the Viaduct Events Centre and Jellicoe Harbour, Auckland

The Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show, 15-18 May 2025 to be held at the Viaduct Events Centre and Jellicoe Harbour, Auckland

NZ Boat, Fish and Dive Show, 30 & 31 Aug 2025 to be held at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Waipa

-- DIRECTORY LISTING --

Houston Boat Show, 29 Jan - 2 Feb 2025 to be held at the NRG Center, Houston, Texas

International Boat Shows

COMING EVENTS

Dubai International Boat Show, 19 - 23 Feb 2025 to be held at the Dubai Harbour

Miami International Boat Show, 12 - 16 Feb 2025 to be held in Miami

Palm Beach International Boat Show, 19 - 23 Mar 2025 to be held along Flagler Drive in downtown West Palm Beach

International Multihull Show, 23 - 27 Apr 2025 to be held in Terre-plein Ouest du port La Grande-Motte (34), France

Palma International Boat Show, 30 Apr - 3 May 2025 to be held at the Superyacht Village, Palma, Spain

Barcaly's Jersey Boat Show, 3 - 5 May 2025 to be held in the Channel Islands

South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show, 9 - 11 May 2025 to be held in Ocean Village Marina, Southampton, Hampshire

The British Motor Yacht Show, 15 - 18 May 2025 to be held at the Swanwick Marina, Southampton, Hampshire

The Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show, 15 - 18 May 2025 at Auckland Showgrounds, Auckland

Sanctuary Cove International Boat show, 22 - 25 May 2025 to be held in Sanctuary Cove, Queensland

Sydney International Boat show, 31 July - 3 Aug 2025 to be held at ICC Sydney & Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour

Hiswa Te Water, 3 - 7 Nov 2025 to be held in Bataviahaven Lelystad, The Netherlands

Southampton International Boat Show, 19 - 28 Sep 2025 to be held in Southampton, UK

International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference (IBEX), 7 - 9 Oct 2025 to be held in Tampa, Florida

Annapolis Sail Boat Show, 9 - 13 Oct 2025 to be held at City Dock, Annapolis, Maryland

Newport International Boat Show, 20 - 23 Nov 2025 to be held in Newport, Rhode Island

Cannes Yachting Festival, 9 - 14 Sep 2025 at Cannes – Vieux Port & Port Canto

Genoa Boat Show, 18 - 23 Sep 2025 to be held in Genoa, Italy

Melbourne International Boat Show, Oct 2025, TBC to be held at New Quay Promenade Harbour Esplanade Seven Marinas

Biograd Boat Show, Oct 2025, TBC to be held in the City of Biograd, Croatia

Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show 29 Oct – 2 Nov 2025 to be held at several locations in Fort Lauderdale

METSTRADE 18 - 20 Nov 2025 to be held at the Rai, Amsterdam

Antigua Charter Yacht Show 4 - 9 Dec 2025 to be held at the Nelson's Dockyard UNESCO World Heritage Site, Antigua

Boot Düsseldorf 17 - 25 Jan 2026 to be held in Düsseldorf, Germany

New York Boat Show, Jan 2026 to be held at the Javits Center, New York

Bahamas Charter Yacht Show, Jan - Feb 2026 to be held at Nassau, Bahamas

Monaco Yacht Show, 24 - 27 Sep 2025 on Monacco