Spithill beats Coutts in final

Luna Rosa Team win Nations Cup in Trieste

As an absolute beginner in the competition, Luna Rossa today won the Nations Cup’s fifthe edition. The Aussie James Spithill collected a straight 2 – 0 against Russell Coutts‘ team, with a fair victory.

Spithill, with his tactician Michele Ivaldi, wins for the second time in a row, having won last year under the colors of the US team One.

“It’s been a strong [task] to beat a champion like Russell Coutts – said 25 year-old Spithill – "to race on identical boats is very stimulating and it’s good for the team, mostly thinking about the next series of racing dates. We’re going to go back to work tomorrow, because we’re already focused on Valencia”.

During the morning Coutts got to the finals beating 2-1 the other Kiwis of Emirates Team New Zealand, with Kelvin Harrap at the helm. Having lost the first match yesterday, today he won twice in two very hard and spectacular matches.

This evening at 6 pm the price giving ceremony will take place at the Generali Point, the main sponsor’s Hospitality Stand. Luna Rossa will receive its prize from the hands of Trieste’s Mayor Roberto Di piazza and the local president of the Province, Fabio Scoccimarro.

The Nations Cup, organized by Consorzio TuttaTrieste, in collaboration with Yacht Club Adriaco, wishes to thank its sponsors: Generali, Slam, Trieste Expo 2008, Provincia and Comune di Trieste, Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Trieste, Camera di Commercio and Autorità Portuale di Trieste.

Final Ranking List, Nations Cup 2004
1° Luna Rossa, James Spithill
2° Team Russel Coutts, Russel Coutts
3° Italian Challenger, Paolo Cian
4° Emirate Team New Zealand, Kelvin Harrap
5° Mascalzone Latino, John Cutler
6° Toscana Challenge, Roberto Ferrarese

Below: James Spithill