36th America's Cup Day 3: Another day, another tie
by Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli 13 Mar 2021 20:47 NZDT
10-17 March 2021
America's Cup match day 3 - Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli © ACE / Studio Borlenghi
The third day of racing in the 36th America's Cup presented by PRADA closed with another tie, leaving each team with three points.
Both races took place in a light breeze ranging 8-10 knots from the North on the most external course A, near the Takapuna shore. Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli took the first win home, with the New Zealanders lashing back in the second, scoring their point with a comfortable lead.
In the first race Luna Rossa made an excellent start that allowed her to move on starboard tack on the pin, windward of the kiwis who were forced to tack after a few seconds. For the remaining 29 minutes of the race the Italian crew sailed in full control, with clean manoeuvrers, always in phase with the wind shifts. The first match race closed with an 18 second advantage.
In the second race, Luna Rossa experienced a setback at the start and crossed the line a few seconds after the kiwi boat. The entire race took place with the kiwis in the lead, that stretched at each gate allowing the Italians no opportunity to recover.
Tomorrow's schedule will hold two more races and this program will continue unabated over the next few days, until the first of the two teams reaches the seven points needed to win the oldest trophy in the world of sport.
Max Sirena, Skipper and Team Director:
"It was a half positive day. We won the first race and they took the second, so we are in a 3-3 tie. We still need to win four races, but we are in an America's Cup final, and the level is so high that every minimum mistake costs you dearly. We will debrief this evening and tomorrow morning and analyze our mistakes and see what we did well. We're ready to get back on the water tomorrow and are more determined than ever."