Louis Vuitton Cup - Finals - Day 5: Emirates Team NZ win the fifth race and the LV Cup

It's a pity for the Italian team but their loss this afternoon off Valencia's coast will go down in the history books. Luna Rossa is the first team ever in the Louis Vuitton Cup to go down at the final without winning a single race. Emirates Team NZ won their fifth race in a row, with considerable ease, and were crowned Louis Vuitton champions. It isn't over for them of course and the big test will take place in approximately two weeks from now, when they meet Alinghi in the America's Cup match.

Given the fact the Italians were down 4-0, everybody expected James Spithill, Luna Rossa's Australian helmsman, to go on an all out war and awe spectators with his aggressive prestart tactics. Instead, we all watched a pale reflection of James "Spitfire" commit an error by letting a big gap in the dialup. Dean Barker didn't wait long, grabbed the opportunity and bore away on port underneath ITA-94. That gave NZL-92 the control in the rest of the prestart and chose to start the race on the left side. It was an even start and both boats sailing at similar speeds.

Soon after the start, Luna rossa tacked and went to the right and after a series of tacks, Emirates Team NZ had pushed the over the right layline, almost entering into the large fleet of spectator boats. Till that point leadership was alternating between the two boats and never went over 15 meters. When NZL-92 tacked to port and headed for the top mark the race had turned around and the kiwis rounded the top mark 20 seconds ahead. Game over!

From that point the match turned into one-sided race under the absolute control of the New Zealanders, despite the Italian efforts. In the first downwind leg, ITA-94 managed to shrink the gap to 25 meters but Emirates Team NZ rounded the leeward gate with a 20-second lead. Right after rounding the gate, Luna Rossa initiated a tacking duel but to no avail. Once again the kiwi advantage was 20 seconds in the top mark. In the fourth and final leg, the delta doesn't tell the whole story. NZL-92 gained a great initial lead but at some point a left puff pushed the Italian boat ahead, closing the gap to 40 meters. Nevertheless, the kiwis stayed in control and crossed the finish line 22 seconds in advance.

Dial up in the fifth race of the Louis Vuitton Cup final between Luna Rossa and Emirates Team NZ. Luna Rossa's helmsman James Spithill, probably committed his biggest error so far by letting an immense gap between the two yachts. Valencia, 6 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Dean Barker of Emirates Team NZ was given the space and grabbed it. Valencia, 6 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Emirates Team NZ are now in control of the prestart and free to do as they please. Valencia, 6 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Seven seconds to go till hte gun and Emirates Team NZ are heading to the left side of the course. Valencia, 6 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The start of the race was pretty even. Valencia, 6 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Initially both boats went to the left on a straight line. Valencia, 6 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa tacked to the right soon after the start. Valencia, 6 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Both boats sailed to the right layline. Valencia, 6 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Emirates Team NZ pushed Luna Rossa over the right layline, almost into the spectator fleet. Valencia, 6 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Emirates Team NZ and Luna Rossa are on the layline and the kiwis are in charge towards the top mark. Game over! Valencia, 6 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing