Nightmare run for Mascalzone

by Fiona McIlroy and Daryl Fenemor on 30 Oct 2002 Mascalzone Latino will be kicking themselves after a gybing blunder in their final run saw them hand the victory on a platter to their Italian rivals Prada.

The Latin rascals were poised for the biggest upset in this year's Louis Vuitton Cup today after leading Prada around all three marks in the shortened course, and with a nine boat length advantage down the final run, until disaster struck and a messy gybe saw their spinnaker tangle just metres from the line.

The Italian underdogs sat helpless as Prada powered past them, crossing the finish line one minute and 42 seconds ahead.

Mascalzone Latino may have been considered easy beats by most, but Prada found out first hand that in light winds they are a force to be reckoned with.

Although Prada had the upper hand at the start at the pin end, Mascalzone headed out to the right hand side of the course and gained a huge advantage as the shifty wind turned to the right.

Helmsman Paolo Cian lead Prada around mark one by 32 seconds, but it was a messy spinnaker hoist by both crews, Mascalzone with a twist and Prada having trouble hoisting their genniker to the top of the halyard.

With the wind shifting further round it was a straight run to the bottom mark and Mascalzone showed a clean pair of heels to extend its lead to 58 seconds at the bottom mark.

Prada helmsman Francesco de Angelis tried to shake clear of Mascalzone's cover all the way up but the Latin rascals covered tightly.

The game then tightened again at the final mark three with the shifting breeze allowing Prada to make huge gains, trailing ITA72 by just six seconds at the mark.

It looked like game over for the defending champions but the time taken for Mascalzone to untangle their spinnaker wrap gave Prada the easy ride through to take the gun.