It's official: on Saturday and Sunday, in the gulf of Auckland (Australia) Luna Rossa will face Ineos UK “Britannia” (live broadcast by Rai and Sky). With only one success the English (with full points) reach the final of the Prada Cup. It is their match point. One victory is enough and they are in the grand final scheduled from 6 March against the owners of New Zealand in the best of 13 races.
Up for grabs is the America's Cup , the oldest and most prestigious sailing trophy. Always linked to research and aerodynamics. As early as the 1930s, aircraft builder Thomas Sopwith had put his engineers to work for his J Class. It is a showcase of excellence.
THE SECRET OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE INEOS TEAM
Only a month ago the Britannia was sbertucciato at home. Nothing was right. Then. that devil of baronet Ben Ainslie, the most titled Olympic sailor of his majesty, in a month has changed everything: mast, foil (the arms that allow the boat to rise on the water and fly at 100 per hour) and the sails. Men and women also worked on Christmas night. They made it. As? Of course, thanks to an unlimited budget, we are talking about 160 million euros, 50 more than the Americans.
But there is more: the technology of the Mercedes GP Team. Natural. Sir Jim Ratcliffe , that is, Mr. Ineos, is also the 33% owner of the team that is a huge success in Formula One. So two plus two equals four. Mister Ratcliffe unleashed 30 technicians from the Brakley headquarters, asked for the miracle to boss Graham Miller, the man who studies the most precious parts of cars. He intervened on foils, on electrical engineering. Three engineers in particular (James Allison, John Owen, Geoff Willis), by phone, night and day, have suggested, invented, created. Moral: Britannia now flies.
THE AMERICAN FLOP, THE BLUE TRUST IN LUNA ROSSA
The “Patriot” of the New York club (he risked sinking while he was ahead of Luna Rossa; he will be back in the water in ten days), it's up to the Italian boat to attempt the feat. With the two helmsmen (Francesco Bruni from Palermo and the Australian James Spithill , the youngest skipper to have won America's CUP for two consecutive editions) and Max Sirena skipper ashore. He is confident. He says: “A good start can be worth half the battle”. The Italian squadron (11 on board, 100 on land) is well loaded. Set the alarms. At four we dream. Make it or brake it.
Source: Blitz Quotidiano