War of nerves in Barcelona: Luna Rossa protest dismissed

Holds court in Barcelona(find out all the behind-the-scenes stories from the dock), as we wait for the Louis Vuitton Cup semifinals to begin, the “case” of Luna Rossa’s protest, or rather what is referred to as a “request for reparations.” And what an America’s Cup would be without some frayed nerves and crossed controversies?
The history of the America’s cup is full of wars and protests over regulations, and this case seems very important for the Italian union.

What happened to Luna Rossa

Luna Rossa, victim of a technical problem with the right foil arm movement system, lost on the last day of Round Robin the race against Alinghi without being able to even race it.
Decisive trial, which forced the Italian boat into a playoff with Ineos, which it then lost.
By winning with Alinghi, Luna Rossa instead would have ended the Round Robins earlier, earning the right to choose its opponent in the semifinals.
Of course the race with Alinghi had to be won first, but as noted Luna did not even start.

boom motion system is one of the One Design components of the AC 75s, supplied by the America’s Cup organization, the New Zealanders in short, and of Kiwi manufacture.
Hence Luna Rossa’s request for repair, since the technical problem does not involve a union-designed component. There is a well-known precedent, at the last Olympics, when Nicolò Renna failed to take part in some trials due to the breakage of the boom of his sail, an element provided by One Design to all athletes.
In that case the request for repair was granted, and Renna “compensated” with the average score of his previous placings.
Instead, the Italian request was rejected in this case; however, the case remains and may be very important in the future of the Cup, as well as affecting this edition. Ida Castiglioni in Barcelona interviewed Bruno Bottacini, Race Officer, who clarified some aspects of the case.

The Red Moon Case

If you want to know all about the America’s Cup in Barcelona and what’s happening at sea, don’t miss our Trial of the Cup and all the news in our “The Cup Newspaper” section.
But if you want to know what goes on behind the scenes of the America’s Cup circus, in the hidden corners of the bases, envies and friendships among sailors, good deeds and snubs, gossip, here you are in the right place.