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Jimmy Spithill’s Luna Rossa and Dean Barker’s American Magic traded blows like a pair of heavyweight boxers on an important second day of the America’s Cup world series regatta in Auckland.
And on the strength of an engaging double-title racing Friday, during which the respective groups of challengers won one race each in changing winds of 12-14 knots at Waitemata Harbor, it’s safe to say that they have become the two main contenders. to meet in the Prada Cup for the right to challenge Emirates Team New Zealand for the Auld Mug in March.
Ricky Wilson / Stuff
American Magic was nearly paralyzed by mechanical problems Friday.
But it was Barker’s Americans who had the last word to reverse their first loss earlier in the day and take a 30-second win over the Italians that improved them to 3-1 heading into the final day of qualifying races. Italy heads to Saturday 2-2.
That 3-1 record is the same mark Emirates Team New Zealand finished at after predictable back-to-back victories over the INEOS Team UK team that at least took a big step in the right direction with a much better second day on the horizon. competition waters.
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The response from American Magic, after they nearly flipped during a messy 12-second loss to Luna Rossa to open the day’s race, was impressive. They took advantage of a difficult pre-start, during which penalties flew, to open an 18-second lead in the first of eight marks that the Italians threatened, but could never overcome.
TVNZ
Team NZ gets stuck in their foils before rallying to beat team INEOS UK.
Magic’s lead grew to 20 seconds at the second mark, it was 14 at the halfway mark and just 5 seconds at the fifth gate, as the Americans had a clear downwind lead and the Italians the slight lead. against the wind.
The Italians never wavered, but simply couldn’t drag Barker’s crew into an engaging competition as they led by 16 seconds at the penultimate mark and half a minute into the finish.
Ricky Wilson / Stuff
INEOS Team UK held the initial lead over Team NZ in the final race on Day 2.
Barker called the early skirmishes “pretty unconventional” but felt his team did well at the top. “We got off to a good start, we had a good lead and we were able to maintain a pretty tight race,” he said. “The field is very challenging and you are never sure how much leverage to take. They never left and had an exciting career. “
The veteran Kiwi also enjoyed a return to head-to-head competition on the water. “It’s a bit like the old school days. There’s a lot going on … it’s about learning for the Prada Cup and it’s good to learn those lessons now. “
TVNZ
Team NZ packs a punch with a faulty jibe, but outperforms team INEOS from the UK.
The New Zealand team also righted their faltering boat after Thursday’s surprise loss to American Magic to record back-to-back victories over Sir Ben Ainslie’s INEOS Team UK. The Kiwis won the opening race by 1 minute 32 seconds in lighter winds of 12 knots; he then backed it up in the final race of the day dragging a lost start and a 12-second deficit at the first mark and sailing to a 1:42 victory.
Burling flew Te Rehutai after Sir Ben Ainslie instructed him on the start, putting the Kiwi boat ahead at the second mark and moving away with a decisive speed advantage throughout.
“We didn’t sail as clean as the first,” Burling said of an interesting race on day two. “But it was good learning for us, good to run through the systems and make everything work 100%. We were happy enough. “
Previously, Luna Rossa had made American Magic pay for an alleged equipment failure and nearly capsized on the first leg as they turned to an early 700-meter lead that proved decisive.
Fiona Goodall / Getty Images
Team NZ defeats INEOS Team UK in the second race of the regatta on Friday.
Italian co-helmsman Francesco Bruni hinted that the Americans’ problem might have been related to the bank system that failed the UK team on opening day, though Barker was later revealing little about whether human error was involved. involved in a sloppy tactic. .
“It was a bit frustrating,” Barker said. “We had a good position, but we just didn’t get off the tack. That put us on the defensive. I was impressed with how we got back into the race a couple of times, so there were positives to take, but it was frustrating not to get the win.
When asked if it was a mechanical error, Barker said: “We have to check. It seemed to work fine after that. These boats are quite difficult at times and you are never sure what the problem is. But when in doubt, blame the ship. “
Bruni confirmed that they had had some problems with timing at the beginning, but felt they had had a “fantastic race” from then on.
Emirates Team NZ’s first victory over the British was not entirely smooth, with a disorderly turn at the top mark that was almost dire, and then a spectacular splashdown on stage four that also reflects the fine margins these ships sail. above 40 -Knot mark.
“I was definitely a little wrong,” Burling said of the close accident at the top mark. “I got a little too close and made it a little difficult. It was also interesting at the beginning, we had some problems there. “
Burling admitted he made a mistake on stage four when the boat came back into the water with force. “It was complicated. There was not much breeze at the bottom but there was at the top. It wasn’t a polished performance, but we were happy to take the win. “
America’s Cup World Series, Waitemata Harbor, Day 2:
Luna Rossa bt American Magic by 12sec
Team NZ bt Team UK for 1min 32sec
American Magic bt Luna Rossa by 30sec
Team NZ bt Team Uk for 1min 42sec
