LVPS: Luna Rossa Challenge Loses to TEAMORIGIN by just 4 seconds

TEAMORIGIN leads Luna Rossa Challenge downwind. Image copyright Ian Roman/TEAMORIGIN.

by Luna Rossa Challenge media

02/07/2009 - Luna Rossa Challenge (ITA) vs Team Origin (GBR)

Wind: S 18 knots
Course: Windward - leeward of 1.4 miles (2 laps)

Luna Rossa on NZL 84, Team Origin on NZL 92

Start: Luna Rossa enters the box from the pin end; after escaping Ben Ainslie’s control she gains the right hand, starting on port tack at the Committee Boat, while Team Origin starts on starboard at the pin end. The British boat tacks soon after but their very slight advantage dwindles progressively until Luna Rossa, on the favored side of the course, takes the lead, maintaining the same tack for almost all of the upwind leg. Luna Rossa rounds the windward mark with a 3s advantage on Team Origin, and maintains the head of the race on the downwind leg, although Team Origin is only one boat length away.

At the gate Luna Rossa chooses the closer right mark and, with a better manoeuvre, is able to stretch her advantage of slightly over three lengths; Team Origin chooses the left mark and starts her upwind leg on the right side of the course.

At the first crossing Luna Rossa has increased her advantage up to three lengths but, halfway down the upwind leg Team origin reduces again the distance and initiates a tacking duel with Luna Rossa. The Italian boat forces the British out of the lay line and rounds the windward mark again one length ahead of Team Origin.

On the downwind leg Team Origin gybes to the left and manages to escape Luna Rossa’s control.

The outcome of the race is determined at this point: when Luna Rossa gybes to cover Team Origin has already found a stronger and more favorable corridor of wind that allows her to take the lead on Luna Rossa. Notwithstanding Luna Rossa’s comeback in the final phase of the downwind leg, Team Origin closes the race with a 4s advantage on Luna Rossa.

Luna Rossa Challenge