In what can only be described as a race of razor-thin margins, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli narrowly defeated American Magic in their latest encounter, crossing the finish line just 2 seconds ahead after a gripping 22-minute battle.
From the start, both boats crossed the line simultaneously, but the Italians quickly asserted their dominance, pulling ahead by 50 metres in the opening moments. This lead gradually expanded, and after a tactically strong tack two-thirds down the first leg, Luna Rossa extended their advantage to over 100 metres. Rounding the first gate at 4 minutes and 12 seconds, the Italians looked poised, though American Magic were not far behind, passing through the gate just 6 seconds later.
On the second leg, Luna Rossa surged ahead at nearly 45 knots, only to suffer a rare moment of vulnerability at the second gate. A rough turn nearly caused the boat to touch down, a momentary lapse that shaved their lead down to 11 seconds. The Americans capitalised on the opportunity, briefly closing the gap. However, a small error from American Magic early in the third leg erased any gains they had made, allowing the Italians to hold a 215-metre lead as they sailed down the third leg.
By the time the teams reached the third gate at 12 minutes and 5 seconds, the lead remained stable at 11 seconds. The fourth leg became a test of endurance and consistency, with neither team making any significant errors. Luna Rossa held their lead, knowing that a mistake could give American Magic the chance they needed to break their losing streak.
At the fourth gate, Luna Rossa clocked in at 15 minutes and 14 seconds, followed 8 seconds later by the Americans, who had now pulled the gap to just 120 metres. In a last-ditch effort, American Magic mounted an impressive challenge in the fifth leg, cutting the lead down to a mere 50 metres at one point. However, the Italians tacked strategically, pushing their lead back above 100 metres before rounding the fifth gate at 19 minutes and 48 seconds. The Americans followed just 3 seconds later, still within striking distance.
As both teams powered down the final leg, tension filled the air. Despite a minor error—a slide and brief touch of water—American Magic lost another 50 metres in their pursuit. Nevertheless, the race was far from over. The gap between the two boats closed to an astonishing 15 metres in the final stretch, with both teams pushing to the absolute limit.
In a nail-biting finish, Luna Rossa edged out their rivals, crossing the line at 22 minutes and 30 seconds, just 2 seconds ahead of American Magic. It was a fiercely contested race, with both teams making small but significant errors that could have tipped the result in either direction.
This was a gladiatorial match between two of the world’s top sailing teams, with the Italians emerging victorious in what has become a thrilling semi-final series. Although Luna Rossa claimed victory, American Magic showed they are more than capable of challenging their Italian counterparts, and the tightness of this race suggests the next encounter will be just as exciting.
As the series continues, both teams will be looking to refine their strategies. But for now, it’s Luna Rossa who sail away with another crucial win, leaving American Magic searching for answers ahead of their next meeting.
We are now looking at Luna Rossa on 4 wins, the American Magic team on 0. The first race tomorrow could deliver Italy their 5th win, and the series.
