Louis Vuitton Cup - Finals - Day 4: Emirates Team NZ once again crush Luna Rossa

Why haven't been Luna Rossa able to beat Emirates Team NZ so far? Tuesday's loss, the fourth one in a row, tells the story. The New Zealanders are plainly much better in all fronts, tactics, weather call, boat, crew work, you name it.

It was supposed to be a "Luna Rossa day", especially after the 15-minute postponement, due to unstable winds. There was no sea breeze, winds were considerably light, 7 to 10 knots and very shifty coming from the north east. Conventional wisdom wanted the Italians to have the advantage.

Luna Rossa entered the starting box from the left and after an aggressive prestart, James Spithill managed to cross over NZL-92 and win the right side. Luna Rossa crossed the starting line at the committee end while the New Zealanders opted for the pin end. Both boats started the race at a similar pace and seemed convinced in their tactical decision since they both powered ahead in straight line, resulting in a separation that reached 1,100 meters at some stage. When the yachts converged and crossed for the first time, the Italians were 100 meters ahead of the kiwis.

As Ray Davies, strategist aboard NZL-92, said in the press conference, the left shift his team was expecting finally came and as a result when the two boats crossed again the Italian advantage had decreased to just 40 meters. At that moment, Torben Grael, Luna Rossa's tactician, took the decision that judged the race. Instead of pushing NZL-92 they tacked to their leeward. From that point, the kiwis powered ahead and pushed Luna Rossa over the right layline. When the boats tacked and headed towards the top mark, Emirates Team NZ were already ahead and round the top mark 19 seconds ahead of Luna Rossa. Game over!

The Italians were unable to do anything for the rest of the race. In the first downwind leg the two yachts went on a long straight line till the middle of the course with ITA-94 staying closely behind, around 3 boatlenghts. Then NZL-92 gybed and under dying winds, close to 6.5 knots, they extended their lead, rounding the leeward gate 54 seconds in advance. The following upwind leg was again a one sided story and NZL-92 rounded the top mark 1 minute ahead of Luna Rossa. Finally, the last leg didn't see any difference and Emirates Team NZ crossed the finish line 52 seconds ahead.

Five seconds after the gun, both boats start at full speed but at the complete opposite ends of the starting line. Valencia, 5 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

It was evident Luna Rossa wanted the right side while Emirates Team NZ were looking for the left. Valencia, 5 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

During the first stretch of the race both teams powered ahead on their respective sides, increasing separation to 1100 meters at some point. Valencia, 5 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

At the first cross, Luna Rossa was 75 meters ahead of the New Zealanders. Valencia, 5 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa commit the error that decided the race. Instead of pushing NZL-92 to the opposite side they tack to her leeward and see their lead vanish. Valencia, 5 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The race has now been turned upside down. NZL-92 has pushed ITA-94 way off the right layline and is heading towards the top mark with a 70-meter lead. In the foreground the "Kiwi brain trust" is watching the race from the support boat. Valencia, 5 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Halfway way through the first downwind leg, Emirates Team NZ had extended their lead. Valencia, 5 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Once again, excellent crew work aboard NZL-92 in the leeward gate. Valencia, 5 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Emirates Team NZ rounded the right while Luna Rossa opted for the left. Valencia, 5 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Similar to yesterday's race and despite their lead, Emirates Team NZ didn't take any chances and tacked to cover Luna Rossa. Valencia, 5 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Not a pretty picture at all but it clearly depicts the kiwi lead in the second upwind leg. Valencia, 5 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

In the final stretch of the race there was a glimpse of sunshine through the clouds but for Luna Rossa the future was still bleak. Valencia, 5 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Yet another victorious finish for Emirates Team NZ. Valencia, 5 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing