Luna Rossa relentless, 4-0 over American Magic and final one step away

day of Louis Vuitton Cup semifinals, with almost photocopy weather conditions compared to yesterday, with a bit more breeze today and forecasted intensity up to 13-15 knots, later rising to 19.
Perfect winds to see some good racing on the water between Luna Rossa – American Magic and Ineos Britannia – Alinghi Red Bull Racing.
The real spectacle, however, is between the Italians and the Americans, as Ben Ainslie and co. strolled again today over Alinghi who appeared increasingly in trouble, with the Helvetians demolished by the Brits’ aggressive start in the first race, dominated in speed in the second.

Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli vs. American Magic match 3

American Magic sets up high and tries to push Luna Rossa by leaning, both boats are early, Luna Rossa comes out better off the line and American Magic immediately veers going right.
It goes to close well Luna Rossa on the first crossing, tacking in a position of total control over the opponent.
Excellent first windward mark for the Italian boat, which turns the Gate with a 13-second lead.
American Magic does not lose a lot of ground downwind, a sign however that the speeds of the two boats are quite close.
However, the Americans run into yet another semi-disastrous turn (stern gate), which allows Luna Rossa to cash another 100-meter margin.
Second windward mark in comfortable control of the Italian boat, which risks nothing by consistently covering its opponent, something Luna Rossa repeats in the second stern as well.
While not digging a huge margin the Americans never get back into the race, Luna Rossa in fact dominates from start to finish, going on to take with authority the 3 point of this semifinal with 26 seconds lead.

Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli vs. American Magic match 4

Americans immediately on the attack to try to reopen a contest that becomes desperate for the New York Yacht Club syndicate.
The prestart seems to repeat the pattern of the previous start, with the Americans positioning themselves upwind and Luna Rossa ahead failing to close the way.
Basically even start with the Americans upwind, but the Italian team once again comes off the line faster and gains the early lead.
They try to stay in American Magic’s wake in the upwind, then go on the attack in the first run upwind where Patriot gnaws off a few seconds.
The race pattern does not change in the next upwind, Luna Rossa always brilliant in maneuvering, American Magic does not disconnect completely but shows the usual fatigue with each maneuver.
Good recovery of American Magic instead in the second downwind, thanks to a slightly more phased tacking than the Italian one. Compelling last upwind, with American Magic managing to bring themselves back to 100 meters of distance trying everything in a crucial match for them.
Tom Slingsby and Lucas Calabrese heads down in the last upwind: they manage to find a separation that brings them resoundingly back into the race. American Magic even looks like it could pass at the last crossing, but it is Luna Rossa who stays ahead by a length and goes on to win by 2 seconds.
The semifinal then goes to 4-0, and there will be as many as 4 match points in favor of Luna Rossa who can already try to close the contest tomorrow and earn the Louis Vuitton Cup final. We talk about it at 6:30 p.m. on Il Processo alla Coppa: Mauro Giuffrè and Luca Sordelli’s guests will be Giovanni Ceccarelli (successful designer with two America’s Cup challenges behind her), Medea Falcioni (iQfoil World and European Junior champion), Luca Rosetti (winner of the last Mini Transat), Ida Castiglioni (first Italian woman to cross the Ocean in a race).
Live coverage will be available at the link below, on the Giornale della Vela YouTube page and on Facebook.