America’s Cup before a decision is made: New Zealand lose the win
The New Zealand Cup Defenders team only needs one victory to succeed.
© Chris Cameron
New Zealand is clearly advanced. The host misses only one victory in the Copa America sailing competition. However, Italy does not want to give up yet.
Auckland / New Zealand (dpa) – America’s Cup defenders New Zealand misses one point to win the 36th match of the oldest international sports cup.
In a duel against Italy, the host country advanced 6: 3 and scored four points for the match. The showdown had to be postponed to Wednesday (4.15 AM / Servus TV) after the ninth race Tuesday morning due to erratic winds. Seven victories are essential to victory at the Sailing Summit in Auckland, New Zealand.
In nine of the most exciting races to date, the Luna Rossa crew led long stretches of six driving changes. But New Zealand managed one last counterattack: “T Rehottai”, with captain Peter Berling, reached the finish line after a more favorable wind shift in the boat 30 seconds before “Luna Rossa” with Francesco Bruni (Palermo) and Jimmy Spethyl (Palermo) Sydney). Bruni said, “It was painful, but we can still win races. If you learn anything from Jimmy, he fights to the end.”
In 2013 Jimmy Spithill was the captain of Oracle Team USA, who made history in San Francisco with the biggest return to the Copa America. The Americans trailed 8-1 in the duel with New Zealand and won 9-8. Spithill’s opponent in the current cup duel was not a part of the game at the time: 49th Olympic champion Peter Burling retaliated for New Zealand in 2017 as the youngest winning captain at the age of 26.
On March 17th, the 30-year-old from Tauranga can write another chapter in the history of the cup with a successful trophy defense in his home area, before he fights for the Olympic gold medal again with fellow crewmate Blair Tok. In the sailing zone at the Tokyo Olympics, Berliner Eric Hill / Thomas Blossel, who won the bronze in the 49er race in 2016, is back among the Burling / Tuke medal contenders.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210316-99-839842 / 3