Even before the race between Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli and Emirates Team New Zealand officially began, the competition between the two teams was already underway. Both teams aimed to secure the right-hand side position, as it offered the most favourable racing conditions. The Luna Rossa team played a number of excellent tactical moves and the New Zealand team were a little too far to the left with Luna Rossa to their right, at the start. A good play by Luna Rossa. The excitement was palpable.
As the race began, Luna Rossa Racing immediately seized the initiative, taking an early lead. Emirates Team New Zealand, despite having recently repaired their damaged boat (seemingly almost overnight), struggled with a rocky start. Their boat initially fell off its foils as they crossed behind Luna Rossa, which set them back significantly. Though they managed to get back on track within seconds, the early misstep left them trailing behind.
At the end of Leg 1, Luna Rossa Racing was 380 metres ahead. The boats were sailing in close proximity, but Luna Rossa’s early advantage and superior handling in the challenging winds helped them maintain their lead. The Italian team, however, came perilously close to capsizing due to the strong winds. This near mishap played a crucial role in allowing Emirates Team New Zealand to close the gap to just 300 metres.
By the time Luna Rossa Racing passed through the first gate at the 3 minute, 15 second mark, Emirates Team New Zealand was behind by 16 seconds. Despite this initial deficit, the Kiwi’s boat displayed impressive acceleration, which was crucial for their bid to close the gap.
Halfway through the second leg, the race remained tightly contested with 300 metres separating the two teams. Both boats were averaging an impressive 46 knots, indicating the sheer speed and agility of these cutting-edge racing machines. Approaching Gate 2, Luna Rossa Racing went through at 6 minutes and 6 seconds, with Emirates Team New Zealand trailing by 17 seconds.
The New Zealand team’s speed allowed them to shrink the gap to 200 metres. However, Luna Rossa Racing managed to navigate Gate 3 at 10 minutes, 30 seconds, maintaining their lead despite Emirates Team New Zealand’s attempts to close in.
As the race progressed into Leg 4, the disparity between the two boats began to widen again. Luna Rossa Racing passed Gate 4 at 14 minutes and 30 seconds, with Emirates Team New Zealand now lagging 31 seconds behind. This marked a troubling trend for the Kiwi team, who were losing ground with each passing leg.
By Leg 5, and with the weather worsening, the situation looked increasingly grim for Emirates Team New Zealand. Luna Rossa Racing extended their lead to 450 metres halfway through the leg, and they soon accelerated further to a commanding 600 metres advantage. As the Italian team approached the final gate, their lead had grown to 750 metres.
Luna Rossa Racing crossed the final gate at 20 minutes and 21 seconds, with Emirates Team New Zealand trailing by 59 seconds. Unfortunately for the Kiwis, their earlier misfortunes compounded. They had suffered from a problematic start and subsequent issues with their boat. Additionally, a sudden thunderstorm caused chaos, with the lightning strike narrowly missing the Italian team. This extreme weather led to Emirates Team New Zealand driving off the course. In the aftermath, they were disqualified.
The Italian team’s victory was thus confirmed. Luna Rossa had sailed an exceptional race, demonstrating both speed and pilot skill. The race’s conclusion was somewhat anticlimactic due to the disqualification, but it was evident that Luna Rossa Racing had performed admirably.
The adverse weather conditions prompted the cancellation of the remaining races for the day. Although the final races were not held, the intense contest between Luna Rossa Racing and Emirates Team New Zealand had already provided plenty of drama and excitement.
The race was marred only by unfortunate weather and technical issues. Luna Rossa Racing’s victory was well-earned, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure. Emirates Team New Zealand’s performance, while hampered by setbacks, highlighted the unpredictable nature of competitive sailing and the challenges faced by even the most skilled teams.
