The decision to utilise the first Reserve Day of the Louis Vuitton Cup proved to be a far-sighted one by Race Director, Iain Murray, as perfect conditions greeted INEOS Britannia and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli today for the fourth day of their epic, locked-in battle to win the Louis Vuitton Cup.
The ‘Garbi’ south-westerly wind was in, and, crucially, just below the wind-limit of 21 knots. With relatively flat water the two starts both got underway on time, with the racing taking place beneath a cloudless sky and with the stunning Barcelona beachfront as a shimmering backdrop. The British and Italian fans who have travelled to Barcelona packed the Race Village and Fanzones, cheering on their countrymen passionately and colourfully, mirroring the on-water action and tensely lapping-up the action.
With the series tied at 2-2 at the start of the day, the British Challenger of Record, INEOS Britannia, took the tally to 3-2 after an opening race where accuracy of execution was rewarded. Sir Ben Ainslie pulled off a classic match-race move deep in the pre-start box, powering over the bow of Luna Rossa in the final 30 seconds to the start.
The subsequent water and wing wash of the fast-driving British helped to force the Italian boat off its foils as it turned up behind Britannia. The Luna Rossa sailors quickly recovered, but the Britannia crew were able to execute an unchallenged time-on-distance run back to the line and start ahead.
Any ideas that the race might be done and dusted at this point were quickly dispelled. Over the subsequent eight legs, the boats seemed to be tethered by elastic as they nipped, tucked and covered, never more than a few seconds apart. For the aggressor, Luna Rossa, it was about staying in touch and waiting to pounce on any mistake from the British.
Such an opportunity very nearly came at the rounding of the final leeward gate, when, with Sir Ben Ainslie steering around the starboard marker, the British boat made a major sideways skid, critically washing-off speed. Suddenly the two boats were into a classic upwind match race, boat-for-boat but with INEOS Britannia’ marginally holding the aces as they steadfastly countered the Italian's every attack.
