Luna Rossa beats Mascalzone Latino

by Luna Rossa media on 9 May 2007
Today was the next to last race before the beginning of the semifinals for Luna Rossa. ITA 94 squared off against Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team for the second time in the eliminatory Round Robins.

On the southern course in front of the El Saler beach 8 knots of wind from 115 degrees, sunny skies and calm seas. After a first dial up forced by James Spithill who had entered the box from starboard, Dane Jes Gram Hansen inverts the positions and compels Luna Rossa to two consecutive dial ups. Mascalzone Latino cuts the start line on the Committee end a boat length ahead of Luna Rossa, to leeward. Ten minutes into the race and after a couple of crosses at the center of the course the afterguard on Luna Rossa takes advantage of a wind rotation to the left and has a 50 meter margin on ITA99. Up the beat the Yacht Club Italiano’s boat stretches out keeping her opponents under control. Luna Rossa rounds the top mark with a 17 second lead, which increase to 25 seconds at the leeward gate and 29 seconds at the last windward mark. Halfway down the final run Mascalzone Latino makes up some of the distance sailing on the right hand side of the course and trails by a boat length when Luna Rossa cuts the finishing line with a 7 second final delta.

Taking into account today’s other results, Luna Rossa concludes Round Robin 2 in third position, behind Emirates Team New Zealand and BMW Oracle who tomorrow will face off for the first place. Desafio Espanol is the fourth semifinalist.

'An important race against a difficult opponent; a fruitful day' said Skipper Francesco de Angelis at the end of the race. 'In the semifinals every competitor will be difficult to face, but we are also no easy prey. We have 4 days to fine tune the boat but every one of us has the same time and we have to make the best of it.'

Crew
1. Skipper - Francesco de Angelis
2. Helmsman - James Spithill
3. Tactician - Torben Grael
4. Navigator - Michele Ivaldi
5. Afterguard - Ben Durham
6. Traveller - Andrew Horton
7. Runner - Magnus Augustson
8. Main Trimmer - Jonathan McKee
9. Main Grinder - Gilberto Nobili
10. Trimmer - Joe Newton
11. Trimmer - Christian Kamp
12. Grinder - Romolo Ranieri
13. Grinder - Andrew Taylor
14. Pitman - Simone de Mari
15. Mast - Shannon Falcone
16. Mid-Bow - Max Sirena
17. Bow - Andy Fethers

Other results
'Louis Vuitton Cup' - Round Robin 2 - Flight 10
+39 Challenge (ITA 85) wins against China Team (CHN 95)
Areva Challenge (FRA 93) wins against United Internet Team Germany (GER 89)
Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL 92) wins against Victory Challenge (SWE 96)
BMW Oracle Racing (USA 98) wins against Desafío Espanol 2007 (ESP 97)
Bye Team Shosholoza (RSA 83)

Louis Vuitton Cup - provisional scoreboard (source: www.americascup.com)
Pos. - Team - Races won/Races run - LV Cup points
1 - BMW Oracle Racing (USA 98) - 17/19 - 37
2 - Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL 92) - 16/19 - 36
3 - Luna Rossa Challenge (ITA 94) - 15/19 - 33
4 - Desafío Espanol 2007 (ESP 97) - 13/19 - 29
5 - Victory Challenge (SWE 96) - 12/19 - 26
6 - Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team (ITA 99) - 9/19 - 20
7 - Team Shosholoza (RSA 83) - 8/19 - 18
8 - AREVA Challenge (FRA 93) - 8/19 - 17
9 - +39 Challenge (ITA 85) - 4/19 - 10
10 - United Internet Team Germany (GER 89) - 2/19 - 5
11 - China Team (CHN 95) - 1/20 - 3

Tomorrow’s program - Wednesday, May 9th
'Louis Vuitton Cup' - Round Robin 2 - Flight 11
Victory Challenge (SWE 96) - Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team (ITA 99)
Desafío Espanol 2007 (ESP 97) - Luna Rossa Challenge (ITA 94)
BMW Oracle Racing (USA 98) - Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL 92)
United Internet Team Germany (GER 89) - +39 Challenge (ITA 85)
Areva Challenge (FRA 93) - Team Shosholoza (RSA 83)
Bye China Team (CHN 95)