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FAQ Eng
Aiuto It
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All Gamble, No Coverage Luna Rossa earns its first point of the semis. But really, they did not deserve it. Consider why. The first cardinal sin was "How to waste a winning start". Rod Davis, overcoming a bad dial-up manoeuver, managed to outduel Spithill, again shoving him way past the Committee boat. However, the Luna Rossa team seemed to have a moment of uncertainty. They could have gone for the kill and really stall oneWorld past the committee boat and start with a crushing advantage and manage from there. Instead, the boat seemed to hesitate, then moved parallel to the start line, but too far back. Spithill squeezed in, crossing the start line ahead ! From there, both boats' strategies was to go for wind shifts. Luna Rossa lost that battle, which is a roll of the dice anyways in Hauraki Bay. Worse, upon realizing the bad pick, they stuck with it, rather than try to stay close behind and hope to do well downwind. On occasion, Spithill was inclined to cover his trailing opponent, but with no great conviction. To compound matters on the second downwind leg, LR found a good shift. But once, they had elminated the gap, they chose to pursue the same course. No-no number 2... They should have gybed and aimed to pass in front of oneWorld. This little game of "I'm sailing alone" lasted for 5 legs. The inevitable happened and a wind shift stayed put in Luna Rossa's sails. Luck always helps. On the last leg, LR had the lead, but was not very lucid at covering their opponent. Their gybes were litterally at the last possible moment before us spectators were ready to throw in the towel. Only the last 3 gybes were tactically by the book. * * * * * Meanwhile, Coutts made no such error. Picked the wrong course at the start, but converted a better start, and superior windward position to always stay between the next marker and his opponent. Luna Rossa should take note. And since the next race has the kiwi-swissies starting the racing day, try to pick the same course as Coutts... * * * * * Although Thursday was scheduled as an off-day, they had planned to sail to compensate for Monday's loss. Well, the weatherman seems to want a break too and is sending 20+ knot winds, with gusts to 30, for Thursday afternoon. Racing is doubtful.
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