Luna Rossa secures a spot in the Puig Women's America's Cup Match Race Final
by Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli 11 Oct 2024 20:39 BST
11 October 2024
Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Womens Team Italy during Puig Women's America's Cup Semi Final Race 4 - October 11, 2024 © David Maynard /
www.alleycatphotographer.com
With 39 points Luna Rossa closes the Puig Women’s America’s Cup elimination series and semifinals in second place, after a challenging and exhausting day that kept all teams busy from 10:10 am to 7:00 pm.
The conditions were difficult and marginal throughout the day, and after multiple delays and return of boats onshore, the Race Committee decided that Race #6 would be the last qualification round for the Puig Women’s America’s Cup and that the Semifinals would be held the same day in the afternoon, based on the provisional standings at the end of Race #6. Following a delay of over six hours waiting for wind, the committee managed to start Race #6 at 4:00 pm with approximately 9 knots from the southeast but was forced to stop it halfway through the first beat as the wind very suddenly died down. The race started again at 4:30 PM, with Luna Rossa closing fourth and advancing to the semifinals.
QUALIFICATIONS - RACE #06
Starting well and on time, Luna Rossa extended to the right side of the course, leading alongside GBR during the first part of the upwind leg. Coming out of a tack, however, the boat dropped off the foils and lost significant ground, rounding the first mark in fifth position. Despite the unstable weather conditions, Luna Rossa managed to recover somewhat but couldn’t overturn the situation. The Italian team finished the race in fourth place.
Luna Rossa: 4th (+ 3 points).
SEMIFINAL - RACE #01
Starting at 5:30 pm in 9 knots of wind, Luna Rossa made a clean start and headed to the right side of the course, with the boat in second place at the first cross. On the downwind leg the Italian team sailed seamlessly through the wind shifts, reaching the gate neck-to neck with the Swedish team. Luna Rossa rounded the mark on the inside and held its position. Throughout the rest of the regatta skipper Giulia Conti and helmswoman Margherita Porro tried to overtake the Spanish team and claim the lead. The opportunity was close in the final leg but the gap was such that they finished second, just 7 seconds behind.
Luna Rossa: 2nd (+ 7 points).
SEMIFINAL - RACE #02
It was an excellent race for Luna Rossa as the crew dominated the course right from the start. The second semifinal race proved to be highly competitive right from the pre-start, with multiple tacks and penalties. Luna Rossa also received a penalty but recovered quickly, rounding the first gate in the lead. The Italian crew navigated skillfully on the wind shifts and covered their opponents with clean and fast maneuvers, staying on foils throughout the regatta. Holding the lead until the end, the crew claimed a decisive and well-earned victory.
Luna Rossa: 1st (+ 10 points).
SEMIFINAL - RACE #03
Another strong race for Luna Rossa. Despite a less-than- ideal start, the crew quickly moved up to second place midway through the first upwind leg and held that position at every mark until the finish.
Luna Rossa: 2nd (+ 7 points).
SEMIFINAL - RACE #04
Despite an OCS and a penalty, Luna Rossa recovered and took the lead of the fleet, holding it all the way to the second gate. Encountering a sudden lull, an unfortunate touch-down on the third leg brought them to a fourth place that they kept until the finish.
Luna Rossa: 4th (+ 2 points).
The Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli crew features: Giulia Conti, Margherita Porro (helmswomen), Maria Giubilei, and Giulia Fava (trimmers).