Louis Vuitton Cup holders Prada today continued their improving form in this year's cup, crossing the finish line 22sec ahead of GBR Challenge of Britain.
Controlling most of the pre-start manoeuvring and winning the start must have boosted the confidence of GBR's new starting helmsman, Andy Beadsworth on Wight Lightning.
But winning the start wasn't enough. Neither was matching Luna Rossa's speed and height up the first part of the beat.
The British crew chose the right hand side of the course and gained height in a slight lift. Luna Rossa, and skipper Francesco de Angelis,
who had sailed up the left hand side of the course reached and sailed beyond the port lay line earlier than Wight Lightning.
As the two boats closed, Wight Lightning chose to tack close to the lay line rather than sail out to Luna Rossa, a move which meant that the British crew had to squeeze up to the mark while the Italians powered on into the mark, rolling the British boat in the process. Luna Rossa took the lead with just five seconds separating the boats at the weather mark rounding.
Downwind the racing remained close with Wight Lightning holding a slim advantage on the inside berth as the boats sailed down the right hand side of the course.
Luna Rossa broke free from this position in a smart and rapid gybe that put them on starboard and allowed them to cross ahead and pull out to lead by 14-seconds at the leeward mark. After this the race provided few opportunities for passing.
* GBR Challenge has launched a technical protest against Prada. The protest will be heard this evening.
Winds: S 15k
Winning margin 00.22
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Prada gaining momentum with win over GBR
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