The final ends with another success for the kiwis who conquer the “pitcher” with a score of 7-3
AUCKLAND. A single regatta was enough for New Zealand, the 10 / a of the 13 potentially scheduled, to close the accounts with Luna Rossa and keep the Americas Cup of sailing, which it had brought back to Auckland from Bermuda in 2017, after having beaten the Americans of Oracle. The ‘kiwì closed the final series, inflicting a 7-3 less eloquent than it seems to Luna Rossa, who was not lucky especially in the very last matches. L
he Italian boat, led by the pair of helmsmen formed by Francesco Bruni and James Spithill, was up to a very complicated task, against the masters of the match race dragged by the whimsical Peter Burling. The rules of the America’s Cup are merciless and allow those who hold the trophy to establish rules, type of boats and venue for the challenges; for this reason it is even more difficult to snatch the ‘old broach from those who exhibit it in their showcase. Luna Rossa did everything she could and, at a certain point, perhaps even deluded herself that she could turn the situation around, entering the history of world sport. The dream and the ambition lasted six races, in other words up to the partial 3-3: as the days went by,
the New Zealanders have acquired greater mastery of the boat, an AC75 monohull just under 23 meters long, and set their own pace, re-establishing the hierachy. However, for the ‘lunaticì it was not vainglory, because they won the Prada Cup (the first in history), or the selection among the challengers, scrambling the English of Ineos; they gave the holders a hard time; they gave Italy – at the time of the pandemic – a smile and a fascinating distraction.
But above all they have shown, and it is the first time, that the cup could one day also take the road to Italy. Just believe it, don’t give up, keep working with the same dedication shown in this America’s Cup campaign. New Zealand suffered at the beginning, put down by Luna Rossa, but in the end it won with merit. The Italians, however, this time fell on their feet, winning the first points in a final.
Max Sirena, the skipper of Luna Rossa after the end of the regattas said: «Thanks for the opportunity, thanks to all the guys in the team: it is an experience that I will carry in my heart forever !!! I’m sorry, it didn’t go as we would have liked, but it’s sport and one wins, one loses !!! I thank everyone, all the Italians who have followed and supported us: your warmth has reached this point !!! Thanks thanks thanks”.
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