America’s Cup 2021: Media reaction: New Zealand team has ‘one hand on the trophy’ as Luna Rossa ‘betrays’

The world media reacts to the fifth day of the 36th America’s Cup, where the New Zealand team rallied in both races over Luna Rossa and took a 5-3 lead.

In a headed piece ‘Luna Rossa betrayed by the light wind that she had invoked so much’ – Federico Militello of the Italian site OA Sport said the two losses felt like a fall.

“When Te Rehutai is in front, the race is almost over. Luna Rossa can do nothing but wait for a mistake: the performance gap is too glaring. Also, the New Zealanders today outscored the Italians in race 7 after losing The start. We can discuss for a long time the possible tactical error made by the Italian fleet. The problem is that if you face an opponent who travels on average 2 knots faster, in the end the change of command occurs almost by inertia.

“It’s funny to note that the beloved light wind then betrayed the Luna Rossa during race 8, the boat fell off the foil and couldn’t pick up speed until after more than eight and a half minutes – a huge amount. The kiwis have capsized like this a regatta that seemed lost, giving that impact to the series that so much seems like a fall “.

“Luna Rossa is so wrong, too wrong to win such a prestigious event.”

Stefano Vegliani from OA Sport had a little more hope in an article titled ‘It has not finished! Room for progress for Luna Rossa and the wind that can turn ‘.

“It is not over. Let’s not bang our heads against the wall yet. Whatever happens, Luna Rossa is doing something extraordinary. She is doing it for Italian sailing, for the rich induced that revolves around the Italian challenge. Alarm at o’clock. 4:00 in the morning to experience the races live ”.

“… We are always at the mercy of the wind. Even the most experienced and educated fan has had a nervous breakdown, it cannot be denied, but the wind can always turn on the right side, understood as Luna Rossa’s.” “

Magnus Wheatley of the Rule 69 sailing blog said he had to feel sorry for the Italians who are still being given a chance to return.

“… after a second race today that was heartbreaking frustration personified for both teams, there is a nagging feeling in the back of everyone’s mind that this is far from over.

“You were so sorry. The sport shouldn’t be like this and with the kiwis flying behind, using every trick of camber, cant and ability to keep flying, it was a horrible sight to see the Italians in such anguish.

“Te Rehutai lunged, stole the lead and pulled away from the light winds at the top of the course with more pressure and an impregnable lead. They sailed at ridiculous angles on the last beat desperate to keep flying and as they approached the finish line They were going from one range to another with the tacking angle of a supertanker. The final delta of 3 minutes 55 seconds was a final insult to the Italians who have all the sympathy of the sports public and know that it is in no way a reflection of the proximity of this party.

“Some days this happens. And with gambling, sometimes the fickle finger of fate plays against you. They’ll be back in the gambling hall tomorrow and with the wind in the lowlands for the rest of the week, this it’s just not over for the Italians at all. “

Toby Heppell from Yachting World said the second race of the day was more a matter of luck, but you could read a lot about TNZ’s opening victory.

“It’s hard to imagine what the sailors on board the Luna Rossa must have felt as they sailed back and forth at the windward gate trying desperately to get the ship to get frustrated again while, all the while, Burling and his crew came running toward them. I imagine the thoughts would be printable. “

“The second race of the day was a crazy spectacle, but either team could have taken the win. The Kiwis did well to stay on their foils, even with a smaller jib, but we didn’t learn much.

“The opening race of the day showed us a lot, and if you are an Italian fan, it is quite sinister. In those 10-12 knot conditions with that sail plan, the Kiwis were much faster than their competition. Passing can be difficult in this latest America’s Cup class, but there’s no way to keep a boat 2-3 knots faster than you behind. “

In an article titled New Zealand put a hand on the trophy after Luna Rossa left a four-minute lead on ‘bizarro’ race ‘- Tom Cary of the Telegraph said the scenes from the eighth race were the first.

“It was certainly unprecedented in America’s Cup history. These huge foil monohulls are impressive machines in the right conditions, capable of reaching over 50 knots with wind speeds of less than half that force.”

“But they have a very specific operating window and if they go outside of those parameters, they can seem silly – multi-million pound yachts floating in the water in displacement mode, unable to get back up on their foils.”

Are you going to compete in the Cup?

• Take enough time and think about taking a ferry, train or bus to see the Cup.

• Make sure your AT HOP card is in your pocket. It is the best way to ride.

• Don’t forget to scan QR codes with the NZ COVID Tracer app when you are on public transportation and enter America’s Cup Village.

• For more ways to enjoy race day, visit at.govt.nz/americascup.