America’s Cup 2021: Team New Zealand v Luna Rossa, Day Three – Schedule, Start Time, Odds, Livestream & How To Watch

“The regatta starts tomorrow.”

With these four words, moments after Team New Zealand’s resounding victory in the second race of the third day of the America’s Cup Match, trimmer Glenn Ashby summed it up perfectly.

With 3-3 in the series from first to seven, and with two more races scheduled, in fact everything is to navigate Sunday.

Kiwi helmsman Peter Burling was quick to respond to criticism for his pre-start mistake that cost the team Race 5, smashing Jimmy Spithill and Francesco Bruni at the starting gate shortly thereafter. The defender, working to starboard in what could prove to be a critical collision, led from start to finish to win by 1:41.

After the race, Luna Rossa co-helmsman Bruni described the stalled Cup as a “one-mistake race”.

Despite the result, Team NZ fans have reason to be nervous on the eve of what could be a decisive day, as Michael Burgess explains.

Here’s how the day unfolded:

Everything you need to know before the third day of the Copa América match between the New Zealand team and Luna Rossa.

The 36th America’s Cup remains on the razor’s edge as testing conditions and entry to the starting box continue to turn the battle for the Auld Mug into a lottery.

The New Zealand team and Luna Rossa are stuck at 2-2 in the series from first to seven after a superb comeback from the Kiwi boat in the second race off Waiheke Island yesterday.

Today’s regatta will begin at 4.15pm at Takapuna Offshore Race Circuit A off Auckland’s North Shore.

More wind is forecast near the lower limit of 6.5 knots for Saturday, with race 5 scheduled to start at 4.15pm and race 6 an hour later.

The Kiwi boat took advantage of an early splashdown by the Italian challenger to level the score with a resounding 63-second victory in the second race on Friday after being beaten by a light breeze in the first race.

On a day of light and inconsistent conditions, the performances followed suit on Friday, particularly Luna Rossa, who navigated a near flawless race in the opening competition of the day, before a mistake on the second leg of race two caused her to the New Zealand team headed for victory by a wide margin.

Things were relatively interesting in the first leg of the second race as the boats stayed close and there was hope for a possible pass or two downwind. But it turned into a drill rather than a high-pressure run when a bad jibe from Luna Rossa saw them slow down because they had a problem with their foils.

While Luna Rossa slowed down, the New Zealand team put on a strong run, showing their pace and doing clean maneuvers up and down the course, finally winning by 63 seconds.

“It was a really good race for us,” said New Zealand team flight controller Blair Tuke after the victory.

“The boat is going very well and we managed to spread out well.”

AUT sailing teacher Mark Orams said the victory would be a great relief to the New Zealand team and their fans.

“This is a beating … 800 meters in front,” Orams said. “It seemed as if [Team NZ] they were putting the ship in the slot.

“We also learned that Te Rehutai is fast, with these light winds, this is something we did not know before today. The numbers that come from it suggest a speed advantage over LR in these 10 knot wind speed conditions.”

“That’s a surprise because almost everyone chose LR to be the fastest boat in very light winds. However, even if you are faster, these narrow race tracks mean that it is extremely difficult to pass the boat in front.”

“If we review the races in the Prada Cup semifinals, the finals and now these first four AC races, in 16 of the 17 races, the boat that starts the race wins.”

It was a different story earlier in the afternoon, when Luna Rossa claimed a 37-second victory for a short-lived lead in the series.

Despite some problems on board before the races that seemed to threaten Luna Rossa’s day, they navigated a near flawless race to further prove that they are capable of winning this competition.

Both teams came out of the starting gate well, but Luna Rossa made the best of the first maneuver and executed well, sailing in front of the New Zealand team to build a practical lead in the first leg.

The defender needed to find something and chose to divide the field around the first gate. Initially, it seemed like it had been a good move, as the New Zealand team ate away Luna Rossa’s lead in the second leg.

However, an excellent third stage from the Italians saw them more than double their lead at the mid-point of the race, which they extended further at the end of the race to claim a clean and clear victory.

Schedule:

The America’s Cup match is a best of 13 series, with the winner crowned champion and awarded the Auld Mug. The racing window for each race day will be around 4:00 p.m. M. At 6:00 p. M., with the first race of each day scheduled for 4:15 p.m. M.

March 13: Race 5 and 6
March 14: Race 7 and 8
March 15: Race 9 and 10 *
March 16: Race 11 * and 12 *
March 17: Race 13 *

* If required

Odd:

Race 5:

New Zealand Team – $ 1.60
Luna Rossa – $ 2.20

Overall America’s Cup Winner:

New Zealand Team – $ 1.50
Luna Rossa – $ 2.45

How to watch and stream:

The Herald will have live updates at nzherald.co.nz/sport with AUT navigation professor Mark Orams while you can listen to live commentary on Newstalk ZB, Gold AM and iHeartRadio.

America’s Cup coverage is free on TVNZ. You can also stream the action live or on demand on tvnz.co.nz or on the Copa América YouTube channel.

Are you going to compete in the Cup?

• Give yourself enough time and consider 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 the Copa América town.

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