Sunday 1 February 2009

LVPS: Luna Rossa on Day Two

by Luna Rossa media

Wind: SW 20 knots
Course: Windward - leeward of 1.4 miles (2 laps)

Luna Rossa Challenge on NZL 84, Alinghi on NZL 92.

Start: Luna Rossa enters the starting box at the pin-end. After the dial up and a maneuvering on the right side of the box, Luna Rossa is late on the line. Alinghi starts the race with a rather comfortable advantage; Luna Rossa tries to close the gap by attacking Alinghi in a restless tacking duel, carried almost until the left layline, in a narrow course which gives an additional advantage to the leading yacht.

Alinghi rounds the mark 36s ahead of Luna Rossa. Both boats start the downwind leg on the port jibe; Luna Rossa jibes halfway through the leg, looking for a new wind on the right side of the course, but Alinghi jibes back in control.

At the gate Alinghi leads by 48s and both boats choose to round the right mark and start the windward leg on the left side of the course. The attacks of Luna Rossa, before on the right and then on the left side of the course, remain unrewarded: Alinghi responds to each of them, keeping a control position between the mark and his opponent.

Alinghi stretches his lead to 54s, and such gap does not allow Luna Rossa to hook back Alinghi in the last run. Alinghi crosses the finishing line 50s ahead of Luna Rossa.

The Luna Rossa crew is helmed by Peter Holmberg with Robert Scheidt, Andy Horton, Mark Mendelblatt, Ben Durham and Ignacio Postigo in the afterguard.

Luna Rossa

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