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The British are still alive, but Luna Rossa is two points away from the minimum goal of her fifth season in the Copa América: win the Prada Cup, the selection of challengers. After the victory of the Italians in the first regatta of the day (the fifth of the series) and the reaction of the British from Ineos in the second (sixth of the series), the score of 5-1 for the Italians, who now see the goal on the horizon. We’ve improved, but not enough yet, the raw and candid synthesis of Sir Ben Ainslie, the multi-medal leader from Ineos who just found the key to the blue problem, assuming it’s not too late. For Sunday (4 o’clock in the Italian morning), with regattas 7 and 8 scheduled, light wind forecasts, which do not smile at the British. And the possibility that the Italian AC75 closes practice 7-1.
And the sensations, in the water, do not change. Wind between 9 and 13 knots, a situation that the Moon likes. Ainslie, at the helm of Ineos, knows he has to be as aggressive as a hungry shark to have a chance of surviving in this final series of the Prada Cup. Under 4-0, a matter of life and death (sailing). But also Luna Rossa’s two-headed attack, Bruni-Spithill, knows it: in the melee of the pre-start the two helmsmen of the blue AC75 are energetic and equally aggressive. Excellent positioning in the field, which forces Ineos downwind to quickly find alternative solutions. The maneuvers on board are so exciting that both boats cross the line early and the penalty assigned by the referees to Ineos is neutralized with that of Luna Rossa. At the first intersection, the Moon in front will never let go: turn all buoys in front, increase the advantage because it is fast and well maneuvered, because Ineos touches the limit (limit of the race route) and receives another penalty (which is eliminated immediately leaving 50 m in front of the rivals), because the English, although fast, cannot always find the right pressure and for a moment … fatal: they descend from the sheets, because the Moon tactic involves total and suffocating cover. In the end, a delta of 1’20 “and a point of 5-0 for the Italians. It seems like the death blow for Ineos. But it’s not like that.
The British are not there, they react. At the start, Luna Rossa wants the right and takes it, but Ineos is downwind and seems to fly with more pressure. At the first intersection, in fact, for the first time in this Prada Cup finalwhere Italians have been able to overturn the hierarchies of the groups the english helmet in front. Important separation between the duelists, the British turn first at the windward gate and unexpectedly the Blues find themselves in pursuit. The Moon tries the stern division, but this time, with the roles reversed, Britannia (the name of Ben Ainslie’s hull, which should always include the mother’s name, Rita, on her boats) to go marking. At the stern door, the Italians’ maneuver is not perfect, the twist duel between Bruni and Spithill in the second stage of the wind does not manage to unhinge the defense of the opponents, who close every crack in the blue lap. Ineos never loses the lead and on the last side of the stern, when the boats are very close and the duel is close, keeps the head closing with a minimum margin (14 seconds) and putting in the galley the first point of the final, the 5-1 that keeps the British battleship alive against Luna Rossa approaching the Copa América.
The ship is fine, the guys on board are running fine. I am happy with the summary of the day from Jimmy Spithill, one of the two helmsmen of the Moon. We will improve the technique and the maneuvers – adds Pietro Sibello, the mainsail regulator promoted tactically on board the Italian ship during the rounds – the Ac75 is still an unexplored boat, of which we ourselves do not yet know the full potential. true: we’re still learning that Jimmy is getting closer to the finish line.
February 20, 2021 (change February 20, 2021 | 08:09)
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