America’s Cup 2021: Luna Rossa boss Max Sirena lifts the lid in practice races against the New Zealand team

Luna Rossa CEO Max Sirena admits that the New Zealand team has an advantage over the rest of the America’s Cup fleet, based on evidence from practice races so far this week.

Although there is a long way to go, Sirena acknowledges that the Kiwi ship has been impressive in the early skirmishes in Auckland Harbor.

“As I’ve said many times, the target, the benchmark is kiwis,” Sirena told the Herald.

“[On Thursday] They demonstrated their good speed, especially against the wind. Therefore, we must work to improve our upwind performance, even if [yesterday] We had some problems and we couldn’t navigate towards our goal.

“We knew the New Zealand team took a big step forward with their second boat because we have followed them in the last weeks since they launched. [Te Rehutai].

“We know that they are quite strong in every breeze and so we would like to sail against them in lighter conditions to see where they are.

“But it doesn’t surprise me at all. They are the Defenders and they sure have an advantage over everyone. [at the moment]. But we knew from day one … regardless. They are very intelligent, it is a good team and they were going to go out with a fast boat. “

In stormy conditions on Thursday, Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa had three practice races.

There were some impressive duels in the pre-starts, it was a look Sirena was happy with on a below-average day, but the Kiwi syndicate showed superior boat speed in the handful of stages he ran.

They passed the Italians in the second round, after Jimmy Spithill had gained the lead at the start and then went into open water in the third, with the Luna Rossa team not participating in the first beat, after being outscored at the start .

“It’s always good to go out with a strong breeze,” says Sirena. “[On Thursday] we push the limits of the wind, especially at the beginning of the day.

“We nailed most of the starts, but we have to keep working. We didn’t sail well with our boat. I was happier with the performance the other day (Tuesday), but again it was one of the first days that we sailed at more than 20 knots.” .

“The boat was fine; we didn’t have a single technical problem, it was just us. We need to understand why we didn’t sail our way. [potential] but it’s all a matter of time in the water. We need to navigate as much as possible from now until the start of the Prada Cup. “

Sirena expects a variety of conditions at the America’s Cup World Series next week, to assess relative strengths across the wind spectrum.

“Some teams [will be] stronger with a stronger breeze and someone else prepared for lighter conditions so hopefully we can race in all conditions from strong to medium to light so that we can cover the full range of the fleet and see where we have to to work “.

The INEOS UK team has yet to sail this week, dealing with issues believed to be neck-related in Britannia, while American Magic was also not in on Thursday after promising work from Patriot on Tuesday.

Luna Rossa has been given an extended practice against Team New Zealand, but Sirena says it is premature to speak of advantages for particular rivals.

“Every hour you spend in the water is gold, for everyone, but it’s too early,” says Sirena.

“Everyone will get better. Even if there is someone who [people] I think that today he is not at the same level or less prepared.

“The Prada Cup will be a pretty good learning period for everyone. We have improved our performance a lot in recent weeks and every day there is a different boat going faster.

“So it’s too early for anyone to come to a conclusion. Sure you have an idea, but I think it’s too early.

“Anything can happen, and we have to analyze the entire fleet in all conditions to make a proper judgment and understand how the ships are doing.”