Wednesday, March 1, 2000
After four race days were cancelled as barely a breath of wind stirred the Waitemata, organisers changed the rules to let Black Magic and Luna Rossa compete on a Wednesday.
They were rewarded with an enthralling race, sailed in a light breeze, during which the Italian Red Moon took the lead for the first time.
Team NZ struggled for speed out of the tacks in the light airs, meaning the two boats were evenly matched. Despite this, a misjudgment by de Angelis gave Coutts a seven second advantage at the gun.
It did not last. This was the race where the men in black were at their most vulnerable as Prada was finally able to grab the advantageous right-hand side.
A 20m advantage was whittled away, forcing Coutts to tack behind Luna Rossa.
This was the crucial moment. Would de Angelis tack to protect his right-hand advantage? Or would he stay left, saving a time-expensive light air tack and hope the wind stayed left?
In a defining moment, the Italians gambled with the left and lost. In the fluky winds, even Coutts was unsure whether going right was the correct move but luck was with the Kiwis.
They picked up the shift and the black juggernaut sailed away, taking a 45 second advantage at the first mark.
Luna Rossa is not a slow boat but the New Zealand teamwork was clinical. After losing six seconds on the second downwind leg, the Kiwis added a minute to their lead on the third and seven seconds on the second downwind beat, finally finishing 1m 49s ahead.
After four races, the Italians had not won a single leg. The writing was on the wall.
nzherald.co.nz/americascup
Race 4, 2000: Lost gamble made it worth NZ's wait
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