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A diplomat Jimmy Spithill has spoken of the New Zealand team, making the defenders a clear favorite to win the America’s Cup.
Australia’s Spithill, now the Italian union Luna Rossa, was in the forefront of the media at the launch of its second ship in Auckland on Tuesday.
Spithill knows what it takes to win the America’s Cup, he has done it twice. He also knows how to take down the Kiwis, but there was none of that as he spoke candidly about the powerful position he believes the New Zealand team is in.
TODD NIALL / THINGS
Luna Rossa is confident in her new yacht design, but is wary of the threat from the New Zealand team in her local waters.
“For me, they are the clear favorites, there are no two ways to do it,” Spithill said while leading a large media contingent for the first time this season.
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“They are in source waters, they have spent a lot of time sailing here.
“I thought their ship was one… they did a good job. They are always very innovative, very practical, logical and tough. They have an incredible talent for sailing on the boat. “
Todd Niall / Stuff
Italian America’s Cup challenger Luna Rossa launched her second boat in Auckland.
He wouldn’t get into talking about meeting the New Zealand team at the America’s Cup game just yet. Luna Rossa must battle American Magic and INEOS Team UK in the long run of Prada Cup challengers in January and February to earn that right.
“We already have enough as we go through the challenger series, that will be a fight in itself,” Spiuthill said.
“It’s a really tough group here. Nobody is missing anything. Everyone has the money and the technology, the resource, there is no excuse… it will be a good series. But facing the kiwis in the waters at home, man, it’s going to be tough. “
Expect a bit of teasing as the build heats up, but in the end, Spithill felt that performance was the only indicator.
“For any competition, the results are what speak. You can talk all you want on land, and in the America’s Cup there is a lot of that, but at the end of the day, they will give the trophy to the team that wins on the water.
Still pained at losing some money to his Kiwi teammates over the Bledisloe Cup test result last Sunday, he felt there was a healthy rivalry that he enjoyed.
“It’s just healthy respect. People love to see competitive teams coming. We like to think that we are going to be competitive and that it will all come down to the second boat, and who does the best job developing from now on. These boats are just beginning their lives, there is a lot of boat speed in these things. “
He has fond memories of Auckland after starting his Cup campaign here in 2000 and said that the current health crisis made him feel very special at this time.
“It’s been amazing coming back to New Zealand because I started here 20 years ago, alone on a barge there (Young Australia base), tied up against the apartments that was popular,” he smiled.
“New Zealand is a great place to come and what a lucky place to hold the Cup. Let’s face it, we’re very, very lucky to be down here, working, in the crowd, going to see the All Blacks and the Wallabies .. very lucky and very grateful, I’m just looking forward to going to the races. “
With a second more refined boat launched, Spithill said it was crucial that the Luna Rossa get into its routines quickly.
“The other guys are in the water now, and we have to get out as soon as we can,” he said.
“We are the last to arrive and we have to spend a few hours on that track.”
Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team
The Copa America Challenger of Record Luna Rossa seems to be getting acquainted with the radical new AC75.
He hoped that Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli’s second boat would be a good step up from her original AC75, which was well received.
“[Developing] these ships never stop. Every day something is updated. It may be something physically that you can see, but many times it is something that you cannot see.
“They are very, very sophisticated ships and much more than where we were in San Francisco and even Bermuda. These things are weapons. “
Spithill has been sharing the wheel with Francesco Bruni in practice and testing and said he would continue in Auckland. He wouldn’t be attracted to who would be behind the wheel when racing began at the Christmas Cup on December 17-20.
“We will select the best team that we think will come out and get the result.”
