America’s Cup 2021: New Zealand team wins World Series after thrilling win over Luna Rossa

Team New Zealand’s boat speed has rescued them again after a bad start, closing an early gap to beat Luna Rossa in the final race of the America’s Cup World Series, a battle described by television commentators as “strange”, to claim the title.

Luna Rossa was by far the best team in the starting area, flying through the starting line well ahead of the New Zealand team and crossing the first gate 32 seconds ahead.

They were able to extend their lead shortly thereafter, moving ahead by about 800 meters when the New Zealand team came out of their foils as they turned the gate.

However, Luna Rossa suffered the same fate with light winds in the second stage, parking in the middle of the course. At that point, it was a question of who would be in a position to catch the next wind and return to their foils.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” said AUT sailing teacher Mark Orams in his Herald blog live. “Bermuda had none of this, with boats parked in the water.”

In the true spirit of home course advantages, it was the New Zealand team that got help from Mother Nature, and they were soon back on their foils and sailing at 30 knots. With the Luna Rossa parked, the New Zealand team edged out the Italians and kept the lead through the second gate.

As the teams rounded the second gate, it was announced that the race had been shortened from six stages to four, meaning there were only two stages left to navigate.

A bad tactic from the New Zealand team saw them momentarily fall off the foils again, as Luna Rossa closed the gap.

Just 18 seconds separated the teams through the penultimate gate, with the New Zealand team leading the way as the two split the course once again.

It was enough for the Kiwi team to send him downwind for a 16-second victory.

“This has been the best race we have seen with these AC75s,” said Orams. “The variety of skills, the pressure on the teams … what a great race. Ridiculous, weird, fantastic.”

By winning the World Series title, the New Zealand team will enter Sunday’s Christmas Cup as the top seed and sail against fourth seed Ineos Team UK in the first round.

American Magic will face Luna Rossa in the other semi-final, after a tack gone bad earlier robbed American Magic of a chance for another win over Team New Zealand, with a close race as the Americans came off their foils. in the third stage, and surrendered control of the Kiwi union in the World Series.

American Magic’s Dean Barker could be heard saying “we have to fix this” on board as his boat took off, as the New Zealand team continued work in the second half of the race, eventually winning by 1:19.

At the start of the race, American Magic appears poised to further enhance its status as the top challenger to the America’s Cup, getting the best of the race in the early stages.

Both teams were late to the starting area and kept well apart from each other, crossing the line on opposite sides of the field and crossing each other in the first leg.

American Magic held a small 12-second lead after the first leg, which was reduced to just three seconds after two. Things seemed to be getting even closer towards the third gate, but when the boats crossed near the marker, American Magic fell apart.

“Dean Barker has had a surprise! Dean Barker has had a surprise!” Exclaimed commentator Scotty Stevenson, as the Yankees took time to meet.

It provided an opportunity for the New Zealand team to build a healthy lead, which they did not waste.

Enjoy a smooth sailing to the Cup with Auckland Transport

• Avoid traffic congestion and parking problems and download the AT Mobile app to plan your bus, train or ferry trip to race venues before you leave home.

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