Louis Vuitton Cup - Semifinals - Day 5: Luna Rossa thrash BMW Oracle with double penalty in prestart

Match racing maestro James Spithill, helmsman of Luna Rossa, dealt BMW Oracle yet another devastating blow, scoring his third consecutive victory after managing to impose two penalties on the American team in the prestart. After that, the match was over before it even started.

After entering the dialup both boats stood side by side for almost three minutes, slowly drifting backwards. Having no options, BMW Oracle went beyond the pin end and then gybed back. Luna Rossa, with clearly greater acceleration, managed to turn inside USA-98 and force them into the first penalty. Shortly afterwards, BMW Oracle's transom collided with Luna Rossa's boat and the umpires imposed a second penalty on the American boat and a red flag, meaning one of the penalty turns had to be executed immediately. By doing that, Luna Rossa gained an initial four-boatlength advantage that kept throughout the first leg.

Luna Rossa rounded the top mark 25 seconds ahead of BMW Oracle. The Americans continuously gybed in the first downwind leg, trying to force the Italians into an error but the result was the opposite. Luna Rossa got away and rounded the leeward gate 48 seconds in advance and in the rest of the race it was impossible for BMW Oracle to be a serious threat. Finally, after offloading their second penalty, BMW Oracle crossed the finish line almost 2 minutes behind the Italians.

Luna Rossa's ITA-94 right before entering the starting box. Valencia, 19 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

BMW Oracle and Luna Rossa enter the dialup. Valencia, 19 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

BMW Oracle are forced to go beyond the line at the pin end. Valencia, 19 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

BMW Oracle get their first penalty for crossing ahead of Luna Rossa. Valencia, 19 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

BMW Oracle's stern collides with Luna Rossa's boat. Valencia, 19 May 2007. Photo copyright Ludovic Sorlot / Cuplegend

The race starts and BMW Oracle are carrying a penalty and a red flag. They must immediately carry out one of the penalty turns. Valencia, 19 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa storm ahead while BMW Oracle offload their first penalty. Valencia, 19 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa built an early lead they would never lose. Valencia, 19 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Halfway down the first downwind leg Luna Rossa extended their lead. It now seems ITA-94 is not slower than USA-98 downwind. Valencia, 19 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa rounded the right gate and then tacked to cover BMW Oracle who went to the left. It now seems ITA-94 is not slower than USA-98 downwind. Valencia, 19 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

BMW Oracle who went to the left at the leeward gate. Valencia, 19 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

This time around Luna Rossa kept a very close check on BMW Oracle. Valencia, 19 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

At the approach to the finish line, Luna Rossa had considerably extended their lead. Valencia, 19 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

ITA-94 crosses the finish line and Luna Rossa score an incredible victory. Valencia, 19 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing