The fifth day of the Louis Vuitton Cup finals in Barcelona delivered yet another heart-stopping race as Italy’s Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli and the UK’s INEOS Britannia battled it out for dominance on the water. With both teams tied at three wins apiece, the stage was set for an intense showdown, and that’s exactly what we got.
Conditions couldn’t have been better for racing. A steady breeze averaging 16 knots with gusts up to 23 knots ensured that the high-tech AC75 boats would be foiling right from the start. The skies were lightly clouded, and the mid-20°C temperature made it a perfect day for fast-paced, high-stakes sailing.
As the starting horn sounded, both boats shot across the line at an impressive 38 knots, with Luna Rossa edging ahead by a mere five metres. From there, it was neck and neck down the first leg of the race, with the lead changing hands by the second. The battle between Jimmy Spithill and Ben Ainslie, two of the sport’s top skippers, was as fierce as ever.
It was a race of tactical precision, where the smallest mistake could mean the difference between victory and defeat. And today, that first crucial mistake came from INEOS Britannia. A misjudged tack forced them off course, costing valuable metres and allowing Luna Rossa to extend their lead. However, just as it seemed the Italians were about to capitalise, disaster struck.
Rounding the gate, Luna Rossa suffered a massive bow dive—a nosedive at high speed that caused catastrophic damage to the boat’s fairing. The boat abruptly stopped, dead in the water. After 14 tense minutes of assessing the situation, Luna Rossa formally retired from the race, allowing their shore team to begin immediate repairs.
Initial reports suggest that a combination of technical issues led to the crash. One of Luna Rossa’s foils failed to deploy correctly during the first leg, which, combined with the nosedive, caused critical damage to the fairing. Now, with just 45 minutes between races, the team is racing against the clock to make the necessary repairs in time for the next race.
For fans and competitors alike, this turn of events adds even more drama to an already nail-biting series. With the Louis Vuitton Cup on the line, both teams know that any mistake could cost them the ultimate prize—a shot at the America’s Cup.
As repairs continue on Luna Rossa, all eyes are on the Italian team. Will they be ready for the next race, or has this costly mistake sealed their fate?
Stay tuned as we follow this thrilling race to the finish!
INEOS 4 WINS, Luna Rossa 3 WINS.
