Air ! (& Torben Grael..)

In the space of 5 hours, Luna Rossa earned almost as many points as during the entire first round robin. The change of fortunes is due to many factors. Some are visible like the double-knuckle bow and a changed (squarer) mainsail, while others are based on hearsay - a new keel, a new bulb...

Whatever the case, ITA-74 demonstrated much better perfomances windward - even during the first mark of its encounter with Mascalzone Latino when the commentators were being politically correct the difference in speed was notable.

The rest was left up to Torben Grael. In shifty conditions, with wind dying in certain spots, his skills were vital and now supported by an apparently competitive boat.

Departures remain a sore spot. Davis was again unsucessful against ML and the departure against Oracle was barely better. Fortunes on the first leg were defined initially by the better start of LR's opponents and getting the chance to pick the better part of the course. While Grael's skills took over by the first mark against the Italian cousins, LR loooked in trouble against Oracle losing ground even leeward.

However on the second windward mark, Luna Rossa sailed for better winds way past the layline and reversed its fortunes. Similar radical tactics on the leeward leg, where no gennaker or spinnaler was raised by LR pushed performance and the gap to a greater extent. In one lap, LR performed bettter by a full 2:15 !

Increasing its lead to the finish, Luna Rossa's agregate difference is of 1:13 against Oracle. Being tied for points, the differential serves as a tie-breaker and suddenly Luna Rossa is now third.

Other races are still underway at time of writing, having been postponed due to lack of wind. Can't win(d): one day too much, the next too little...

A good day at the match races !