It’s an easterly breeze of 7-9.5 knots on a cloudy day so the breeze is expected to be stable.
Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli is coming in on port. American Magic wants the left.
As Francesco Bruni says later: ‘We were happy with our positioning but they did a jump on us and we couldn't get a decent start. We had a bad tack off the start line.’ It’s all good news for American Magic which is looking fast on the left, as Luna Rossa tacks away to the right. First blood to American Magic.
Heading up leg one, the advantage to American Magic is only about 100m. At the first cross, American Magic crosses in front; Luna Rossa has to tack away for clear air. Jimmy says: ‘Looking for a fast build here, boys.’
Coming up to gate one: advantage is 27m. American Magic does a handbrake turn around the left hand mark that has me worried but they stay in flight. Luna Rossa takes the right with a delta of 2 seconds. Two seconds! Oh yes, this is what we came for.
Leg 2, another cross; Luna Rossa gets in front and is extending. As both boats gybe and come together, the advantage line is 20m and American Magic has right of way. Luna Rossa has to dip. The speeds are pretty even. Two lead changes in this race already.
At gate 2 American Magic cuts in front of Luna Rossa; the delta is 3 seconds. But on the next cross Luna Rossa is on port, dips American Magic, but then takes the lead on a favourable shift.
Jimmy and Francesco are as calm as men drinking coffee in the village square. They are hitting the shifts, executing text book moves and their sails look superb.
On leg three, Luna Rossa picks a lovely lift and passes well ahead as American Magic sails a knock coming off the boundary. It’s a day of playing shifts and pressure and reading the match racing handbook. Three lead changes so far.
Luna Rossa holds the lead to the finish, with a final delta of 24 seconds. Speed-wise, the boats were pretty even but Luna Rossa definitely made gains in the manoeuvres, picked the shifts perfectly and is so, so cool under pressure. To them, being behind isn’t a knockback; it’s an invitation.
© Rebecca Hayter
Photo credit: Ricardo Pinto, America's Cup
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