Sailing Classics: Cup of the Americas before decision: New Zealand miss a win – sport

Auckland / New Zealand – The America’s Cup defender is one point away from winning 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 meeting 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 has driven long stretches with six driving changes. But New Zealand managed one last counterattack: “T Rehottai”, with captain Peter Berling, reached the finish line after a favorable wind shift with a faster boat speed of 30 seconds before “Luna Rossa” with Francesco Bruni (Palermo) and Jimmy Spethyl (Sydney). ). Bruni said, “It was painful, but we can still win races. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from Jimmy, it’s fighting 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 could write another chapter in the cup’s history with a successful trophy defense in his home area, before he fights for the Olympic gold medal again with teammate Blair Tuck. 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