LVPS: Italian Derby Won by Damiani Italia Challenge

Damiani Italia Challenge on their way to defeating Luna Rossa Challenge. Image copyright Stefano Gattini/Damiani Italia Challenge.

by Gabriele Cutini

It was a really exciting day on the crowded Waitamata Harbour, in front of the skyline of Auckland. In light and unstable wind conditions, which imposed a postponement of some hours before the big match between Alinghi and BMW Oracle Racing, Damiani Italy Challenge confronted and beat, with considerable separation, Luna Rossa, in a race which finished in the evening of this warm Sunday in New Zealand, who had shared with the team of Vasco Vascotto the last place in the Gold Fleet of the second Round Robin.

In the long-awaited Italian match of the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series, Francesco Bruni, skipper, who seems to refine the actual capacity of match racer, was able to anticipate the every move of Peter Holmberg and to cross the starting line with an advantage of ten metres with respect to the talent of the British Islands Virgins, previously a sparring partner of the "Swiss" and Baird on the waters off Valencia.

however slight, the margin acquired at the start determined the result of the race, because it allowed Damiani Italia Challenge, and Vasco Vascotto, of to monitor the tacking duel that took place up the first beat.

Reaching the weather mark with eight seconds' advantage, Damiani Italia Challenge extended downwind, alternating the control of the opponent to navigation in regard to wind shofts.

The point gained, the crew of Damiani Italia Challenge immediately turned to the important match of tomorrow, that will see it race against the British in TeamOrigin in a duel that will promote the winner to the fourth place in the challenger finals, while a defeat will condemn it to the Sail Off.

Francesco Bruni, skipper of Damiani Italia Challenge: "And 'been a regatta fought. On the line we were in light advantage and we defended it until the arrival. To the marker of bowline there it a shudder was: we entered in an air bubble and we slowed down, they have approached and they have asked the penalty, but the umpire have given the green one. The boys did an excellent work and we are happy to have won this regatta from the very special taste".

Vasco Vascotto, skipper and tactician of Damiani Italia Challenge: "It was a special race, it is pointless to ignore that. On the water two groups of friends have raced and we rejoice that we were the winners, but I am convinced that they will be back, stronger, soon. We had an excellent race and we are not be able to be other than satisfied. The two teams showed themselves to be alive and to know how to promote themselves well: we have given an attractive image of the Italian character. For as much as it pertains us, I hope it will be entered in the heart of some grandmother and of some child: this also counts in the sum of everything".

Damiani Italia Challenge