The battle for the Louis Vuitton Cup reached fever pitch today as Italy’s Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli squared off against the UK’s INEOS Britannia in a race that had fans on the edge of their seats. On day five of the finals in Barcelona, the two teams came into the second race of the day with everything to fight for. With four wins apiece in this gruelling best-of-13 series, the competition couldn’t be tighter.
The day began under mild, cloudy skies, with near-perfect winds for the high-tech AC75s, known for their dramatic foiling abilities. Averaging 16 knots and gusting up to 23, the conditions were ideal for high-speed racing. Luna Rossa’s crew, led by veteran skipper Jimmy Spithill, needed a win to redeem themselves after being forced to retire from the earlier race due to damage. INEOS Britannia, skippered by Sir Ben Ainslie, entered the second race looking to solidify their lead.
As the boats approached the start line, drama unfolded immediately. INEOS Britannia made a critical error, crossing the course boundary and earning a 75-metre penalty. Luna Rossa seized the opportunity, quickly extending that gap to 130 metres in the opening stages.
Both boats sped down the first leg, reaching blistering speeds of 42 knots. With Luna Rossa in the lead, the British team found themselves in the uncomfortable position of being caught in the Italians’ “dirty air”—a tactical disadvantage caused by disturbed airflow off the leading boat’s sails.
By the time the boats reached Gate 1, Luna Rossa was firmly ahead, with INEOS trailing by 12 seconds. The Italians extended their lead on the second leg, reaching speeds near 50 knots as they held off the British challenge. Spithill’s team showed remarkable resilience, maintaining their advantage despite pressure from Ainslie and his crew.
Gate by gate, the Italians demonstrated their superiority, their boat—nicknamed the “Italian Bullet”—living up to its name. Although INEOS tried to catch up, tactical decisions, such as dropping both foils at Gate 3, slowed their progress. Luna Rossa took advantage, making cleaner turns and holding a consistent lead throughout the race.
On the penultimate leg, it looked like the British might have a chance to close the gap as Luna Rossa made an extra tack, momentarily losing some ground. But as INEOS struggled to avoid Italy’s dirty air, they couldn’t capitalise, and Luna Rossa stretched their lead once more, rounding the sixth gate with a commanding 12-second advantage.
With the final leg in sight, Luna Rossa had increased their lead to 330 metres, an almost insurmountable distance at this level of competition. The Italians crossed the finish line at a blistering 50 knots, clocking in at 26 minutes and 32 seconds. INEOS followed 17 seconds later, a lifetime in the high-stakes world of the America’s Cup.
For Luna Rossa, the win was a triumphant comeback after the mechanical issues that forced them to retire from the first race of the day. The series now stands at 4-4, with everything to play for as these two evenly matched teams continue their battle for the coveted Louis Vuitton Cup.
With the stakes higher than ever and both teams in top form, fans are in for more heart-stopping action as the finals continue. As always in the America’s Cup, it’s anyone’s game.
