The Italians will sail with New Zealand in the Copa America final

Yesterday, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli beat the British Ineos team in the eighth and final race of the Prada Cup in Hauraki Bay, New Zealand. Just as they did 20 years ago, the Italians will continue to take on the defender, Emirates Team New Zealand, in the America’s Cup.

Luna Rossa’s win on Sunday netted a total of seven wins and one defeat against the British team. Analysts said the Italians’ boat was faster in medium light conditions in both races yesterday.

The AC75 monocoques used by the two teams – which have been greatly modified according to America’s Cup rules – are the fastest and most extreme since the Copa América was launched in 1851. Some analysts consider the design and technology so far from sailing that it should be called another sport. Team American Magic saw their boat hit 52.2 knots (60.07 mph) during the semi-finals, despite Luna Rossa’s elimination earlier this month. The world speed record was set by the Trimaran at 54.10 knots (62.25 mph), so the Americans were pretty close.

Due to their radical design, AC boats are capable of 40 knots (46.03 mph) at just 17 knots of wind. This kind of performance has only been unheard of for three years. For sailors on a boat, it’s like putting their heads out a window while driving at 50 mph. It is also equivalent to gusts of force 10.

This is the second time that Luna Rossa has become a contestant in the 170-year-old Copa America. The British team continues its 170-year losing streak against Great Britain. British sailboats competed for the first time in their first America’s Cup against 101-foot-tall sailboats. United States of America In 1851, he won the race with ease and collected £100. Queen Victoria, who was watching the race, asked who was the second, and the answer came: “Your Majesty, there are no seconds.”

Despite successive British attempts since then, no British team has ever won. But Ineos’ four-year campaign was the closest.

“My initial thoughts are to congratulate Luna Rossi,” Ineos captain Ben Ainsley said after the event. “They raced superbly, got the best deal in a wide range of conditions and deserved to win. We fought hard and struggled, even in this last race, so I couldn’t be more proud of the team.”

In twelve days, New Zealand will face Emirates Cup defender Luna Rosa Prada Pirelli in the Hauraki Bay to determine who will win the oldest trophy in international sport. The event will start on March 6 and run until March 15. The first team to win seven matches in 13 consecutive matches will win the Copa America.