Luna Rossa beautiful and unfinished, Ineos goes to Prada Cup final

The day on the water was one to drive the tacticians crazy, with gusty, swinging winds of 10 to 20 knots and two boats, Luna Rossa and Ineos Team UK, vying for a spot in the Prada Cup finals. Race Director Ian Murray’s choice to opt for the more subcoastal race course appears questionable, but an enthralling match ensued, with as many as nine lead changes. Luna Rossa fights back, plays it even, even looks like it could take it home, but in the end Ben Ainslie and Giles Scott ‘s paw came, thanks in part to a boat that appeared slightly superior in terms of speed, especially in the stern.

Luna Rossa again brings home a very good start, which ends even if not also somewhat in favor of ours who start out quite in control, after a nice prestart with the AC 75 trying to repeatedly take the engagement from downwind. Luna Rossa edged ahead in the early crossings, but turning ahead at the windward mark was Ben Ainslie. On the first stern Bruni-Spithill go on the attack and with a gybe at the same time as the British they get very close to Ineos, until they turn the stern gate practically even. At the first upwind crossing, however, the Italian boat comes back ahead and our two helmsmen often go into marking. The strategy seems to be working, but by the fourth stern the British shorten the distance by a large margin, thanks to superior speed cues in these conditions.

They are close, too close. To the point of passing at the end of the fifth windward mark, thanks to a reading of the course that by tactician Giles Scott remains impeccable. Luna Rossa in the last stern sought side separation, and managed to show up at the last crossing with the starboard tack, even to the point of asking for a foul with a protest practically in front of the finish. The foul almost seems like it could be, but the umpires give a green light, and even Spithill in the post race seemed none too happy with the decision.

Ineos goes on to win with a 33-second lead, but the final time is inconclusive since Luna Rossa to try to inflict the penalty on the British falls off the foils on a gybe. Ben Ainslie thus enters the Prada Cup final and now takes the role of favorite. Luna Rossa chews bitterly, races well but suffers a bit from the British in the decisive moments. The goal of the Prada Cup final now goes through the semifinal against American Magic, it starts on Jan. 29.

At 1 p.m. new episode of The Cup Journal, live on our page Facebook, on the channel Youtube and in the events area of Milan Yachting Week with guests Federvela President Francesco Ettorre, Luca Rizzotti, Foiling Week founder and Persico Marine man, and young Clelia Sessa from the Moth world.

Mauro Giuffrè