Luna Rossa showdown

Spithill to face de Angelis in final of The Heat-La Sfida match racing in Trieste

The finallists were decided today at the sixth running of The Heat-La Sfida match race when Francesco de Angelis, at the helm of Luna Rossa 2, and James Spithill, helming Luna Rossa 1, respectively beat +39 Challenge and Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team in in the semi-finals.

Luna Rossa 2 vs. +39 Challenge
Leading 1-0 thanks to yesterday’s victory, Francesco de Angelis and his crew also won today’s match, beating +39 2. The race is sewn up from the beginning, with de Angelis forcing a penalty on Percy, to be paid immediately, on her adversary at the pre-start. De Angelis emerged the box in a strong position and simply extended his lead on each leg.

Luna Rossa 1 vs. Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team
The first match between the other two semifinalists started in a light breeze, with Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team in the lead after a good start. Helmsman Jes Gram-Hansen maintained his advantage at the top mark 1, but during the first downwind leg James Spithill, thanks to Michele Ivaldi’s perfect tactics, was able to slip by. Luna Rossa 1 was able to consolidate her lead, winning the match. Spithill was at the helm despite a high fever he was running.

The second and decisive race between the two teams was even more adrenaline pumping. After close and aggressive pre-start circling, Luna Rossa won the start. This time it was Mascalzone Latino that forces a penalty on her adversary at the first cross. Spithill regained the lead after a tacking duel, and then extended on each leg. The final run is gut wrenching: Luna Rossa carries out her penalty very close to the finish and succeeds in crossing the line just half a meter in front of Mascalzone Latino.

The final matches pitting Luna Rossa 1 (Spithill) vs. Luna Rossa 2 (de Angelis) take place tomorrow, Sunday, 11 September at 1100. The finals will be a best of five format. Immediately after +39 and Mascalzone Latino face off in the petit final to determine third and fourth place.

The Heat-La Sfida is organised by the consortium TuttaTrieste and supported by the Yacht Club Adriaco, the Lega Navale italiana, the San Giusto Yacht Club, the Società Triestina della Vela and by the Società Triestina Sport del Mare. The Heat has been made possible thanks to the contributions of the main sponsor Generali and the official partners Acegas Aps and Banca Popolare Friuladria.