GBR lose, Americans dominate

On day seven of the Louis Vuitton Cup's first round robin

Prada post their third win (a view from the Italian syndicate)

Another day that started with light and fickle winds on the Hauraki Gulf, today saw the challengers sailing the seventh match of Round Robin One that was
postponed yesterday due to lack of wind.

Last night the Race Committee had announced a postponement ashore for this morning until 10:00, as a moderate 12 knots South wind was expected to fill in on the course in the afternoon after a long period of light northeast wind. At 10:00 today the Committee decided to continue to postpone ashore until at least 11:00.
Today Luna Rossa raced on course Romeo against GBR Challenge. With a good Southerly breeze of 14 knots the Race Committee fired the starting gun at 14:20.
The boats cross the starting line fairly separated with GBR on the right side on port tack and Luna Rossa, with Rod Davis helming, at the pin end on starboard. After a wind shift to the left, Luna Rossa looks good on the left side of the course with a 50m advantage over GBR who instead goes for the far right side of the
course.

After a close beat towards the mark, Luna Rossa, sailing with a good speed and slightly over the lay-line, manages to squeeze by seconds ahead of GBR, rounding the mark 5 seconds ahead.

During the first downwind leg ITA 74 consolidates her lead and rounds the first downwind mark with an advantage of 14 seconds over GBR Challenge. The breeze is up to 17 knots and the two boats separate again in the top half of the second beat, with the Italians leading by 2 boats lengths. At the third mark Luna Rossa is leading GBR Challenge by 31 seconds.

The breeze is steady now and Luna Rossa is firmly in the lead in the second spinnaker run, about 150 meters ahead of the English boat. At the mark rounding the advantage for Luna Rossa is now 36 seconds. In the last beat Luna Rossa keeps a comfortable lead over GBR, rounding the last mark with a 33 seconds advantage over GBR 70. During the last run downwind GBR 70 gains 11 seconds over Luna Rossa ITA 74 but Francesco de Angelis defends his position and goes to win this race with an advantage of 22 seconds.

GBR 70 is flying the red protest flag. The English are protesting ITA 74 for a technical matter.

Crew on Luna Rossa 1. Bowman, Paolo Bassani
2. Mid bowman, Massimiliano Sirena
3. Mastman, Simone de Mari
4. Pitman, Cristian Griggio
5. Left grinder, Massimo Galli
6. Right grinder, Nicolas Texier
7. Upwind trimmer, Lorenzo Mazza
8. Downwind trimmer, Andrew Hemmings
9. Mainsail trimmer, Sean Clarkson
10. Center grinder, Romolo Ranieri
11. Helmsman, Francesco de Angelis
12. Tactician, Torben Grael
13. Afterguard, Rod Davis
14. Downwind grinder, Daniele Bresciano
15. Strategist, Michele Ivaldi
16. Navigator, Matteo Plazzi
17. 17th Man, Roberto Mazzeschi