Italy wins the America’s Cup (the youth one) for the first time. Thank you Luna Rossa!

Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli wins the Unicredit Youth America’s Cup after a final that the young Italians dominated against American Magic.

How Luna Rossa won the youth America’s Cup

The perfect regatta in a dry race was needed, and it came, with a clear and flawless victory, confirming the important work Luna Rossa has done with the youth team as well.
Marco Gradoni, Gianluigi Ugolini, Federico Colannino, Rocco Falcone, bring home a Trophy that means a lot for the present and future of Italian sailing.

Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli vs. American Magic

Tense winds for the final, with a base of 13-15 knots increasing to nearly 20 under gusts, and a wave that is short and steep in places, difficult to handle.
American Magic enters the pre-start early and immediately takes a penalty.
At this point Luna Rossa’s youngsters try to manage the remaining time in the pre-start by not taking too many more risks, to capitalize on the advantage of the American penalty after the start.

In fact, the Italian AC 40 is comfortably positioned ahead in coverage with 70 meters of advantage, in control over the opponent.
Gradoni and Ugolino choose to allow some separation at the end of the first windward mark, with the idea of closing the side with a last tack and going for the left gate buoy.
Winning choice, because passing into the Italian garbage at the crossing American Magic does not catch the buoy, forced to tack and rest shortly after the U.S. boat also makes a small touch down.
Big advantage now for Red Moon’s youngsters, who show excellent control of the boat and the opponent.
At the leeward mark, there is a 32-second margin for the Italian team.
That is not to say, however, that Grandoni and Ugolini loosen their grip, continuing to mark tightly in the second windward mark, avoiding giving too much separation to the American opponent.

A second stern begins with Luna Rossa totally in control of the match, in fact mastering their own race.
They remain careful in maneuvering and in coverage, with American Magic, on the other hand, anything but clean in their maneuvers.

The last upwind seems with visibly increasing wind, which seems to be approaching almost 20 knots in intensity. With a fairly short wave, the right moment to tack must be chosen to avoid crashes on the water that slow the tack change, a game in which Luna Rossa seems very well prepared. The last stern begins, in which it only matters at this point not to make a mistake and get to the finish line without taking too many risks given the intensity of the wind.
The Italian AC 40 in the last lay exceeds 44 knots, sending a chill through the fans.
Gradoni and Ugolini gybe in the middle of the course to still remain in control of their opponent even with a huge lead.
Another huge thrill at the last gybe for a strong touch down by ours, but the Italian AC 40 starts again almost immediately.
There is no one who can stop Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli anymore who goes on to deservedly win the Unicredit Youth America’s Cup. It’s off to a good start this day that will soon see the first match of the Louis Vuitton Cup final between Luna Rossa and Ineos Britannia on the water. Mauro Giuffrè