After yesterday's postponement, Luna Rossa is back on the waters of Barcelona today. Yesterday’s races were canceled due to adverse weather conditions, which had already played a major role in the previous match between the Prada-Pirelli team and New Zealand.
During the last race, a lightning bolt struck the Spanish waters, perhaps drawn by the big match between Luna Rossa and the "Kiwis." The Prada-Pirelli sponsored team expertly navigated through strong winds and heavy rain with a touch of boldness, defeating the competition’s top favorites for the first time ever.
However, weather forecasts forced organizers to alter the schedule, canceling yesterday’s races and rescheduling today’s Round Robin challenges. The high risk of further lightning strikes, especially with most boats made of carbon fiber, made the suspension unavoidable to ensure the crews' safety.
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The Prada-Pirelli team is now ready to expertly maneuver through the wind knots standing between them and the coveted semifinal spot.
Led by helmsman Spithill, the key figure behind the victory against New Zealand and mastermind of a 48-knot overtaking maneuver just moments after the start of the race, the Luna Rossa crew was initially set to face American Magic.
But, following several program adjustments, they will now be taking on the French team, Orient Express, on the water.
The Italian team is determined to maintain its lead in the standings, and a win would secure their place in the semifinals. According to the rules, if they finish the Round Robin in first place, they will have the advantage of choosing their opponent in the next stage.
The winner of the final will then face off against Team New Zealand, the reigning champions, battling to the last breath for the highly sought-after America’s Cup 2024.
