LV Pacific Series : Luna Rossa eliminates China Team down to the wire

We couldn't have asked for a closer race, especially on a day like Tuesday, marked by rain, mist, unstable and light winds, long delays and finally canceled races. The match between Luna Rossa, skippered by Peter Holmberg, and China Team, helmed by Ian Williams, initially appeared to be a no-brainer but turned out into the closest and most emotional match. Luna Rossa's bow crossed the finish line less than half a meter ahead of China Team's. Valencia Sailing was on the umpire boat, right in the middle of the action.

The committee end of the starting line was strongly favored and both helmsmen fought hard to get it in the prestart. It was Luna Rossa that finally achieved it but had to pay the price of a penalty. Both yachts hit the line on starboard tack but with Luna Rossa having the advantage. The first beat was a long drag race with one tack, dominated by Luna Rossa. The Italians rounded the first weather mark 14 seconds ahead and stayed in the lead throughout the race. As Williams stated, a number of small errors gave Peter Holmberg the possibility to stretch the lead to the 4.5-5 boatlengths, necessary to unload the penalty right at the finish line.

Yet, it wasn't as simple as this. The strong current made things harder for Holmberg, who jokingly stated that he had done a number of penalty turns in his career. Normally, it wouldn't have been a problem and in hindsight they would have gubed and then tacked but finally, they made it even if it was by only half a meter.

Luna Rossa will now have to race against BMW Oracle in the quarterfinals. In the other race of the day Team Origin comfortably beat Pataugas K-Challenge and now moves to the quarterfinals where it will face Damiani Italia. Both races, as well as the semifinals between the winners, were supposed to have taken place on Tuesday, but after a 4-hour long wait, Peter Reggio, PRO of the event, had no option but to send all boats ashore. It was impossible to get a decent and stable breeze in order to fire the starting gun.

Quotes of the race

Ian Williams, helmsman on China Team:"We took a conservative option in the start knowing Luna Rossa was carrying a penalty and this is what you normally do in match racing. In hindsight, the race was lost because of a number of small errors. It was the first time we raced on the Team New Zealand boats and, believe me, they are quite different. At the leeward gate we lost precious time because exactly we didn't handle the boat correctly. It's tough in these sudden-death matches because you don't have the luxury to learn during the race. If you lose you are out.

We are satisfied with our performance in the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series. Our goal was to improve in every race and I think we have achieved it. Don't forget we were the only team to come without any training whatsoever on America's Cup boats and it now appears it was an error. Our aim is to continue and as you know we have challenged for the 33rd America's Cup. Nevertheless, it's a wait-and-see situation and everything depends on the final court decision. Unfortunately, it is already hard in the current economic situation, we have the added uncertainty".

Prestart of the race between Luna Rossa and China Team. Auckland, 10 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Peter Holmberg positions himself to take the right side, risking a penalty. Auckland, 10 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa gets a penalty but gains the advantage of holding the right side. Auckland, 10 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The first beat was a long drag race with only one tack. Unfortunately for Ian Williams he was on the unfavored left side. Auckland, 10 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Match racing champion Ian Williams steers the boat towards the first weather mark. Auckland, 10 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa started the first run with a 14-second advantage. Auckland, 10 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa rounds the leeward gate 19 seconds ahead of China Team. Auckland, 10 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Crew handling errors at the leeward gate cost China Team more precious meters. Auckland, 10 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa stretched their lead in the last run. In the other race, Team Origin was comofortably ahead of Pataugas K-Challenge. Auckland, 10 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

It's not the same race but a nice picture though. Ben Ainslie, Bart Simpson, Iain Percy, Mark Sanderson et al were no match for the French. Auckland, 10 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa are offloading their penalty. Auckland, 10 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa are offloading their penalty while China Team are pushed by the wind towards the finish line. Auckland, 10 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

It's going to be down to the wire. Auckland, 10 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

What flag did the committee raise? Auckland, 10 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

It's all hugs and kisses on the Italian boat as they beat the Chinese by a split second. Auckland, 10 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing