America’s Cup 2021: ‘I let them down’ – dejected Luna Rossa co-helmsman Jimmy Spithill vows to return

When the New Zealand team crossed the line ahead of Luna Rossa to claim the 36th America’s Cup, Jimmy Spithill’s overall record in the famous regatta dropped from 66 percent successes in the finals to 50.

He has no intention of leaving it at that mark.

Luna Rossa’s co-helmsman has signaled his intention to return to the arena for the 37th America’s Cup, after being outscored by the defending Kiwis 7-3 in the Cup match.

“I love fighting, I love competing. That is my fourth consecutive Cup final and I have two wins, two losses. I can’t just leave it there; I have to tip it in the right way,” Spithill said. .

Luna Rossa navigated a strong campaign from the start of the World Series event in December through her final run of the match, but was ultimately defeated by a faster boat, as is often the case in the America’s Cup.

“I felt like we could have won a few more races against the Kiwis, but to be honest, sometimes it seemed like we were taking a knife in a shootout,” Spithill said.

“They did an amazing job; they developed an amazing tool and package there and all you can do is take your hat off and say well done. They are a champion team and fully deserved champions.

“I’m disappointed, obviously. I disappointed them. I think we sadly left some wins on the table.”

While Luna Rossa was able to get on the board early in the race, the Kiwis found their comfort zone on the boat and it showed in the final part of the series when the Defender won five races in a row to nullify a 3-2. deficit in a 7-3 victory.

Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 precautions and wind conditions, the preferred course, Course C at North Head, was only used for one race. That race was the most exciting of the series, and Spithill said that if he regretted anything about the series, it was that they could not use that route anymore.

For Luna Rossa, it soon became a case of having to navigate the perfect race with the kiwis breathing down their necks.

A couple of issues, either misreading the conditions or just getting rid of them, caused Luna Rossa to drop a couple of the last few races to fall behind a few races, but they continued to fight until the final finish line.

“Every day we believed we could win races and we were trying to do it one at a time. But at the end of the day, the best team won,” Spihill said.

“All credit to the New Zealand team. They developed a fantastic package and are deservedly champions.”