Crew focused.  Image:© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi

Today Luna Rossa Challenge raced against Emirates Team New Zealand in the sixth race of the Louis Vuitton Cup Finals.

Luna Rossa entered the pre-start box on port tack, sought control to leeward and crossed the starting line slightly ahead of Emirates Team New Zealand.

On the reaching mark Emirates Team New Zealand sailed with a better boat speed, even with these light wind conditions, and rounded the mark 10 seconds ahead.

During the downwind leg both teams showed similar speeds (29.20 knots Luna Rossa, 29.40 knots Emirates Team New Zealand) but light winds didn’t help the foiling manoeuvres and Luna Rossa rounded the gate 50 seconds behind.

The tacking required for flood current and the light breeze didn’t allow Luna Rossa to close the gap. The Kiwis rounded the windward gate with an advantage that they maintained up to the finish line, thus scoring their fifth point in the Louis Vuitton Cup final (5-1).

Max Sirena declared: “Anyone thinking that the New Zealanders might have been at a disadvantage in light wind conditions was very wrong. We made a good start and raced well. But there’s nothing we can do, they have more horse power.”

Luna Rossa Challenge will race again against Emirates team New Zealand tomorrow, Saturday August 24th, for the seventh and eight matches of the Louis Vuitton Cup finals.

Today’s crew was: Max Sirena (skipper and pitman), Francesco Bruni (tactician), David Carr (pitman/grinder), Pierluigi de Felice (trimmer), Giles Scott (primary grinder), Chris Draper (helmsman), Xabi Fernandez (wing trimmer), Nick Hutton (bowman), Lele Marino (wing grinder), Marco Montis (freestyler) and Wade Morgan (hydraulic grinder).

Light wind conditions for race 6.  Image:© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi

-- From Luna Rossa Challenge
 

Additional Links and Info:

Daily Race Calendar for 2013 Louis Vuitton Cup and America's Cup

Also:

ACEA Press Release: ETNZ wins races 6 in LVC Finals