America's Cup: Jimmy Spithill confident he can get revenge on Team New Zealand with Luna Rossa

Jimmy Spithill ran two successful America's Cup campaigns with Oracle Team USA. Photo / Getty Images

Make no mistake, when Luna Rossa touch down on Auckland shores for the 2021 America's Cup, skipper Jimmy Spithill's mind will be on one thing.

Revenge.

Spithill's reign as America's Cup champion with Oracle Team USA was brought to a close by Emirates Team New Zealand in Bermuda last year, with the Kiwi syndicate decimating their American counterpart 7-1 in the Cup match.

Speaking to RedBull.com, Spithill admitted he was looking forward to the opportunity to have another crack at the Kiwis.

"I'm not going to lie to you, I want payback and revenge. That's a big part of it," Spithill said. "I love competition and they're the best out there right now. For me, this is another opportunity to go against the best."

The rivalry between Spithill and Team NZ goes back to the 2013 Cup in San Francisco when the Australian skipper led an incredible comeback from 8-1 down on the scoreboard to win 9-8 in the best of 17 Cup match.

The heated competition between Oracle and Team NZ extended through to Bermuda four years later, where the Kiwis took a commanding lead again and never relinquished it.

"I hate letting down my teammates and you carry that burden as I was the skipper and I take full responsibility. The two main things I learned from the last Cup was 1) we were too conservative and 2) I didn't go with my instincts enough on and off the water."

Now, back with Luna Rossa where he competed in the 2007 America's Cup, Spithill is looking to lift the Cup once more.

Luna Rossa is the challenger of record, and one of three confirmed challengers for the 2021 regatta - alongside INEOS Team UK and the New York Yacht Club's American Magic.

"I've come here because I want another shot at winning it," Spithill said. "But I'm relishing working with another group of people and, as I said, I want another shot at winning it."