Day 6 of the Louis Vuitton Cup Finals delivered another nail-biting race between Italy’s Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli and the UK’s INEOS Britannia, with the leaderboard tied 4-4 coming into today’s event. Racing in Barcelona’s scenic harbour, both teams gave their all in conditions that tested both man and machine.
The weather was ideal for foiling, the AC75 boats reaching impressive speeds, despite a noticeable swell that pushed their design and control to the limits. With gusts peaking at 23 knots, the teams had to balance speed with precision. Foiling, a technique where the boats essentially fly above the water on hydrofoils, requires skill and focus, and today’s conditions ensured no margin for error.
Both teams lined up for the start, INEOS adopting their trademark late-entry strategy to the start box, immediately adding tension to the race. The British boat, led by the experienced Sir Ben Ainslie, took an early lead off the start line, but a messy tack saw Luna Rossa, skippered by the formidable Jimmy Spithill, seize the opportunity to pull ahead.
The lead traded hands multiple times over the first few legs, with both teams executing sharp manoeuvres and keeping their speeds consistently in the mid-40 knot range. By the time they approached the second gate, INEOS had pulled 200 metres clear, benefitting from smoother waters in the centre of the course.
It was during the fourth leg that a defining moment occurred. As Luna Rossa rounded the gate, a minor error saw their rudder momentarily lose contact with the water, causing their boat to drop off its foils. The Italians lost precious metres in those brief seconds, handing INEOS a significant advantage.
With INEOS now 300 metres ahead, the Italian team pushed hard to recover, but the swell and their earlier mistake proved too much to overcome. Despite their best efforts, Luna Rossa remained behind for the remainder of the race. The British boat maintained a calm and steady lead, with Ainslie and his crew demonstrating flawless control.
Crossing the finish line at 27 minutes and 35 seconds, INEOS took the win, pulling ahead in the series with 5 victories to Luna Rossa’s 4. Luna Rossa followed just 23 seconds later, but the damage had been done earlier in the race.
Though this race was won by INEOS, it’s clear the battle is far from over. Luna Rossa will be eager to correct today’s errors and bring the competition back to level ground. With the next race only 30 minutes away, fans of both teams remain on the edge of their seats as the Louis Vuitton Cup Finals continue to deliver electrifying action.
