Luna Rossa had a rare experience by being on the right side of the course today but it wasn't to their benefit until further up the course, in their fourth painful defeat. Diving and ducking during the start, they were forced to tack away for the comittee boat end of the line early on which slowed them down getting across the line. Meanwhile the New Zealanders started with speed headed to the left with conviction and the lead. They continued on making gains up to about five minutes into the race when they tacked back to the right. Luna Rossa got a lift on starboard and actually crossed NZ who tacked away as well as Luna R back to the right.They both came back together again and tacked away. The next time NZ continued on, on the same tack. NZ then simply does what she does best, lifted up over Luna Rossa's line until they got to the starboard layline. Game over. All they could do was to follow around the mark and lick their wounds around the course. It makes you wonder what the Alinghi camp is thinking when they see the black boat pointing so high. Not wasting time kicking back, the Swiss could be seen in the distance two boat practicing
Meanwhile Russell Coutts.....could sign next with the Americans from BMW Oracle where Larry Ellison will give him full reign to create the team.
He will replace Chris Dickson who gave his resignation after the crushing defeat in the semi-finals facing the Italians on Luna Rossa. Coutts participation will be with certain reservations, notably if the Cup returns to New Zealand.
E-mail: lynhines@lynhines.com Skype: lynhines Tel: +33 626 238 267 La Rochelle France