Louis Vuitton Cup - Round Robin 1 - Day 11: Luna Rossa beat Emirates Team NZ

The match of the day between Luna Rossa and Emirates Team NZ ended with an Italian victory but Emirates Team New Zealand would have crossed the line first had they not been carrying a penalty incurred in the starting box.

At the pre-start Spithill entered from starboard and capitalized on a late entry on Barker’s part hounding the kiwi boat which responded late and then incurred a penalty.

On the first upwind leg the New Zealanders went for a big separation to the right. Close to the starboard layline Luna Rossa sailed to windward of her opponent and James Spithill pushed Dean Barker over the layline, forcing him beyond the mark. ITA-94 rounded with a lead of 10 seconds.

During the first run NZL-92 managed to decrease the gap but at the end Luna Rossa stretched out and rounded the leeward gate with a 26-second advantage over Emirates Team New Zealand who rounded the left. Up the second beat a tacking duel took place, but Luna Rossa continued to remain in control and was first at the weather mark with a 13 second advantage.

The most exciting part of the race took place in the last few hundred meters when the kiwis dropped their spinnaker early and went straight towards the Italians trying to luff them into an error that would give them time to make the penalty turn and cross first.

That didn't work out and Luna Rossa scored an important victory.

Luna Rossa getting ready for the big fight. Valencia, 26 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

It was again a day for wind spotters, here Luna Rossa's Horton. Valencia, 26 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa and Emirates Team NZ enter the starting box. Valencia, 26 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Emirates Team NZ receive a penalty. Valencia, 26 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The start of the race was even. Valencia, 26 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa and Emirates Team NZ halfway through the first downwind leg. Valencia, 26 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa rounded the leeward gate 26 seconds ahead of Emirates Team NZ. Valencia, 26 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa rounded the leeward gate to the right while Emirates Team NZ went for the left. Valencia, 26 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

A few hundred meters before the finis line, Emirates Team NZ rode a puff of wind and passed Luna Rossa. Valencia, 26 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The New Zealanders then drop the spinnaker... Valencia, 26 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

... and go straight towards Luna Rossa, hoping to force an error. Valencia, 26 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa passed them and won the race. Valencia, 26 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing