Women’s AC, Luna Rossa takes the provisional lead

A spectacular debut for the Luna Rossa women’s crew on the opening day of the Puig Women’s America’s Cup, as they close the day with three wins out of four races and take the lead in the provisional standings.

The weather conditions on this first day were very tricky, as regattas one and two were raced held in light and patchy winds and a big swell, and sudden gusts that brought many teams off the foils and struggling in displacement mode. The final two races instead were delayed by the Race Committee to allow the wind to stabilize at 14/15 knots from S/SW.

RACE #01:
After a slightly delayed start, Luna Rossa recovered quickly and headed heading to the right side of the course and rounding the first mark 12 seconds behind the leading boat. After falling into displacement in this maneuver, the Italian team struggled to regain foiling mode and lost several positions.  The Luna Rossa crew sailed well for the rest of the race and was able to recover several positions to then close in fourth place. 
Luna Rossa: 4th place (+3 points).

RACE #02:
With a complete turnaround, Luna Rossa won a very complex second race.  Despite a delayed start, the Italian team rounded the first mark in fourth place, but deftly took advantage of a sudden wind drop at the leeward gate. As the leading pack fell off the foils and struggled in displacement mode on the next upwind leg, Luna Rossa chose the favored side of the course, extending it and staying ahead until the finish.
Luna Rossa: 1st place (+10 points).

RACE #03
Despite a late start on the left side of the line, Luna Rossa made a strong recovery on the upwind leg, managing to penalize New Zealand in the final cross and rounding the first mark in second place behind the British team. On the downwind leg, the British boat received a penalty for crossing the boundary and fell off the foils. Luna Rossa seized the opportunity, taking the lead and extending it until the finish line. 
Luna Rossa: 1st place (+10 points).

RACE #04
The final race of the day started in a SW 15-knot breeze. Luna Rossa took off with a good start in the middle of the pack and engaged in a close battle with the British and American teams during the first upwind leg. At the first mark the Italian boat rounded the gate in second place behind GBR. The crew, led by Giulia Conti and Margherita Porro, executed a flawless downwind leg, overtaking the British team and gaining 50 meters at the leeward gate. The second beat turned into a match race with the British, but Luna Rossa defended its position and rounded the gate in front. The Italian boat stretched the distance further to win the fourth race of the day. 
Luna Rossa: 1st place (+10 points).

The Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli crew  features: Giulia Conti, Margherita Porro (helmswomen), Maria Giubilei, and Giulia Fava (trimmers).