America's Cup: Luna Rossa stands up to Team New Zealand

Luna Rossa stands up to Team New Zealand: the Italian challenge, after losing the first America's Cup regatta easily won by the defending champion, rebelled by winning in the second, Wednesday in the bay from Auckland, under a cloudy sky and in a wind of a dozen knots.

Before the next two regattas on Friday of the 36th edition of the prestigious event, which is contested in the best of 13 heats, the two yachts are therefore tied for 1 victory everywhere.

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After gaining the advantage in the pre-start after aggressive maneuvers by skipper Peter Burling eliciting cheers from spectators watching over the Auckland waterfront, the New Zealand sailboat quickly took the lead in the regatta of opening.

On passing the first buoy, Team New Zealand was 14 seconds ahead, and then increased this advantage to finish 31 seconds ahead of their opponent.

The show is on!

Find all the #americascup Day one pictures at https://t.co/m4g98eyuy6#sailing#yachting#AC36#foiling#Voilepic.twitter.com/UEx92K212Q

- Gilles Martin-Raget (@GilMartinRaget) March 10, 2021

But Luna Rossa was not impressed.

At the start of the second, it was he who in turn grilled politeness to the defender, to count 13 seconds in advance after the first leg.

The Kiwi crew then came back within 5 seconds of Luna Rossa, who however resisted and even regained some ground at the end of the race.

"It will be a great America's Cup"

“We followed our plan, kept our cool and the boat did the rest,” said Jimmy Spithill, Australian skipper of Luna Rossa, who was jubilant at the equalization of his crew.

“It's great to be competitive.”

“We seemed to be a bit rusty on this last one (regatta).

It's no secret that we haven't raced in quite a while, ”conceded Peter Burling, Team New Zealand skipper.

"A mistake, and it makes your life difficult for the rest of the race," added the man who already managed the crew of the New Zealand boat during the victory in Bermuda, in the previous edition in 2017. Luna Rossa , at the head of a huge challenge, for his part thwarted the predictions: before the start of the America's Cup, punters and some experts indeed predicted a 7-0 victory for Team New Zealand, given the all-time favorite to keep his trophy.

“The performances of the two boats seem to be very close, and that bodes well for other exciting times,” said Francesco Bruni, co-skipper of Luna Rossa.

“They're not just going to watch.

They are going to have to fight hard and we will fight hard, it will be a great America's Cup, ”he predicted.

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