LV Pacific Series - RR2- Day 4: Damiani Italia beats Luna Rossa

Valencia Sailing is back in action. Today, Sunday, we followed the Italian duel in the Gold Fleet between Damiani Italia and Luna Rossa. The match of the century between Alinghi and BMW Oracle took place 4 hours later, after a long delay due to gear failure on the Alinghi boat and then lack of wind, but I was unable to watch it since it was the turn of the 2nd umpire tender to blow the whistle and raise the flags on Russell Coutts and Ed Baird.

The prestart was quite equal and both teams wanted the right. Damiani Italia hit the start line to leeward of Luna Rossa and seemed to have a slight edge over Luna Rossa, pushing them to the right on each of the dozen tacks that took place in the first beat. Damiani Italia had an 11-second advantage at the first weather mark and although Luna Rossa stayed behind throughout the first run, Peter Holmberg was able to close in on Francesco Bruni. Both boats rounded the right hand mark at the leeward gate with Damiani Italia still ahead but having seen their advantage slimmed to 8 seconds.

Luna Rossa had the possibility to be back in the game but blew it. Andy Horton opted for the left but the Italian wind-sniffing maestro, Vasco Vascotto, on Damiani Italia chose the right side. A nice right shift powered on his yacht to a comfortable 30-second lead at the second weather mark.

The final blow to Luna Rossa came in the last run when, halfway through, Peter Holmberg steers the yacht to the right-hand side of course. A left shift and an evident drop in pressure on the right side, stalls the Prada-sponsored yacht. Francesco Bruni and Vasco Vascotto look smart and cross the finish line 1 minute 40 seconds ahead.

Prestart of the race between Damiani Italia and Luna Rossa. Auckland, 8 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Prestart of the race between Damiani Italia and Luna Rossa. Auckland, 8 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Prestart of the race between Damiani Italia and Luna Rossa. Auckland, 8 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Start of the race between Damiani Italia and Luna Rossa. Auckland, 8 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa during one of the many tacks in the first beat of the race. Auckland, 8 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Damiani Italia puts pressure on Luna Rossa in the first beat. Auckland, 8 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Damiani Italia took advantage of a left shift and at the approach to the first weather mark they were ahead. Auckland, 8 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Damiani Italia rounds the first weather mark in the lead. Auckland, 8 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Andy Horton yells for a penalty on Damiani Italia but the umpires raised the green flag. Auckland, 8 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Sloppy crew work at the mark rounding onboard the Luna Rossa boat. Auckland, 8 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Damiani Italia keeps her lead in the first run but Luna Rossa closes in on them. Auckland, 8 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Both yachts round the right hand buoy at the leeward gate with Damiani Italia holding an 8-second advantage. Auckland, 8 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

A right shift in the second beat increased Damiani Italia's advantage. Auckland, 8 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

It might not be a Pullitzer prize winning photo but it clearly shows the situation. Damiani Italia triples her advantage at the 2nd weather mark to 30 seconds. Auckland, 8 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Adding insult to injury, Luna Rossa starts the 2nd run with very light breeze. Auckland, 8 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The breeze dies down and Luna Rossa falls behind, crossing the finish line 1:40 minutes behind Damiani Italia. Auckland, 8 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

LV Pacific Series - RR2 - Day 1: Damiani Italia beats Emirates Team NZ

[Source: LV Pacific Series] Racing in the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series took on fresh intensity today as a newcomer team from Italy defeated hosts Emirates Team New Zealand and champion Swiss team Alinghi snatched a last minute victory from Britain’s Team Origin.

The biggest upset of the day came as the newcomer, Damiani Italia Challenge, steered by Francesco Bruni convincingly put away undefeated Emirates Team New Zealand in the best tacking duel seen in this series after winning the start.

Kiwi skipper Dean Barker said: “We tried to end the race at the start and due to my misjudgement we ended up in a bad position. Damiani didn’t put a foot wrong and sailed very well.”

The ten international teams were racing in the first of five day’s competition in the second round of the match race regatta on Auckland Harbour. After a long wait for a northerly breeze to fill in they raced in conditions that ranged from ten knots for the first of five races to 18 knots by the end of the day.

The nailbiter race came as the new British Team Origin led America’s Cup champions Alinghi around the first three legs of a four leg course, only to lose ground with some untidy gennaker work that gave Ed Baird, skipper of the Swiss boat the edge he needed to overtake and win.

China Team, which cut its teeth on Louis Vuitton Cup competition in Valencia in 2007, showed excellent form today against South Africa’s Shosholoza. China skipper Ian Williams narrowly held off Shosholoza’s Paolo Cian until the start of the second run when the South African boat had gennaker problems that saw them trawling the big chute like a giant drogue.

There were two other races. Cup champion Russell Coutts dished out a master class on starting technique in his matchup with Italy’s Luna Rossa sailed by Peter Holmberg. The Americans won by 58 seconds. There was a closer race between Gavin Brady steering the Greek Challenge and the French boat Pataugas K-Challenge with Sebastian Col at the helm. The French prevailed all around the course.

Peter Holmberg steers Luna Rossa under testing conditions. Auckland, 5 February 2009. Photo copyright Juerg Kaufmann / www.go4image.com

Vasco Vascotto's Italia Challenge officially presents name sponsor Damiani

[Source: Italia Challenge] Damiani, the Italian high-end luxury jeweler, will take part in the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series regattas, to be held in Auckland from the 30th of January until the 15th of February.

Following the success in the Mediterranean that from a number of year link Damiani with the sailing world through the Ourdream Maxi Yacht – winner of trophies such as the Pirelli, Zegna and Barca dell'Anno in 2006 – the Italian luxury brand enters the high-level international sailing circuit by sponsoring Italia Challenge, skippered by Vasco Vascotto.

"I have always been fond of the sea and I’m a very passionate sailor, stated Giorgio Damiani, Vice President of Gruppo Damiani. It’s a great honour and satisfaction for our group to be present in the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series with a team that bears our name. We have been exploring the sailing world from some years now and today, with this participation, we cross the frontiers of the Mediterranean through a top-level event that will capture the attention of all sailing fans throughout the world".

"Damiani’s involvement has been for us an important operation, given the very high standing the brand enjoys throughout the world, commented Andrea Cecchetti, President of Italia Challenge. Sailing was certainly not unknown for Damiani and, by supporting this adventure, the Italian jeweler, known worldwide, will consolidate its passion for the sea".

"It’s an honor for us to have such a prestigious sponsor, concluded Vasco Vascotto, Skipper and Tactician of Damiani Italia Challenge. The team trained during the previous days in Valencia, we are ready to start this new adventure, aware of our means and the efforts made so far. We have created a united group and with Francesco Bruni we have great mutual understanding, something fundamental in Match Race events."

From left, Giorgio Damiani, Vice President of Gruppo Damiani, Vasco Vascotto skipper and Andrea Cecchetti, President of Italia Challenge. Milan, 20 January 2009. Photo copyright Zerogradinord

Luna Rossa, Damiani Italia and Shosholoza train in Valencia

Training for the upcoming Louis Vuitton Pacific Series started in full earnest today in Valencia. Luna Rossa, Damiani Italia and Shosholoza trained for the first time together and of course Valencia Sailing was there to capture the action. Vasco Vascotto's Damiani Italia was luckier as they docked out very early and were able to take advantage of the remains of the front that whipped Spain for the last few days.

As the morning advanced the skies cleared and the breeze died down completely. Nevertheless, at around 1:30 pm, the usual Valencia breeze kicked in and the three teams were able to carry out their training match races under a northerly wind between 8 and 10 knots.

Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures from the actual races since we had to get back to port before 2pm. I was offered a ride on the local television tender and the cameraman and producer had to rush to the TV station to prepare a brief piece for the 3pm news. Valencia Sailing will have more coverage of the practice races in the following days.

Luna RossaIt didn't take long for the 2007 Louis Vuitton Cup finalist, albeit with a different crew, to get back on the water. ITA-94 was masted yesterday and Saturday marked the first day of training for the Italian team.

We didn't notice any addition to the crew compared to last November, when Luna Rossa took part in the 2nd Desafío Trophy, except for Nacho Braquehais. He was Luna Rossa's mainsail trimmer in the 32nd America's Cup and then joined Desafío. After the Spanish team fired all sailors last week Braquehais is back at Luna Rossa, although we don't know whether it's permanent. It wouldn't surprise anyone to see more former Desafío sailors looking for a spot on one of the teams that will race in Auckland in 3 weeks or in the European summer season.

Peter Holmberg and the rest of the Luna Rossa crew wait for the breeze to kick in. Valencia, 10 January 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa train for the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series. Valencia, 10 January 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa train for the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series. Valencia, 10 January 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa train for the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series. Valencia, 10 January 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Damiani ItaliaVasco Vascotto's Damiani Italia were on their third day of training aboard Victory Challenge's SWE-73 (not SWE-63 as we mistakenly reported yesterday). Similar to the previous days, they docked out very early, at around 9:30am, and were able to take advantage of the nice breeze that blew until around noon. From there on, they suffered, just like the other 2 boats, for more than one hour until they breeze kicked in at 1:30pm. We were able to follow them for a little while and when we had to return to the Port we were informed they were scheduled to practice match racing together with Luna Rossa.

Damiani Italia train for the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series. Valencia, 10 January 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Damiani Italia train for the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series. Valencia, 10 January 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Damiani Italia train for the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series. Valencia, 10 January 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Damiani Italia train for the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series. From left, Alberto Bolzan, Francesco Bruni, Vasco Vascotto and Piero Romeo. Valencia, 10 January 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

ShosholozaThe South African challenger joined the other two teams off the Malvarosa beach for the day's training session. There are some members of the crew that I don't recognize but there is one irrefutable fact; the language spoken on the boat is Italian and as a result one could joke that 3 Italian teams trained today in Valencia.

Shosholoza train for the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series. Valencia, 10 January 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Shosholoza train for the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series. Valencia, 10 January 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Shosholoza train for the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series. Valencia, 10 January 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Test videoHere's a very short video of Damiani Italia sailing upwind. The videos on this website are sometimes criticized for their quality. Please bear in mind that this is a blog, not Reuters or Bloomberg. I shoot with a handheld camera and the website's traffic makes it necessary to host the videos through Google, meaning that the quality of the original file is considerably reduced. This particular clip was shot with the Nikon D90, a great camera that allows to switch from 12.5 megapixel photos to videos with the click of a button.

Meanwhile in Valencia... Damiani Italia and Shosholoza train in "polar" conditions

This is probably the closest we can get to "polar" conditions, at least for the taste of most Valencians. It's freezing and raining in Valencia while it's snowing 50 km from here and roads are closed. Yet, at least four America's Cup teams are training or are about to do so and probably a couple more are expected in the next few days, in view of the upcoming Louis Vuitton Pacific Series in Auckland.

We snapped the newly-formed Damiani Italia its way out of the canal while Shosholoza was already out on the water. Fortunately, the choppy seas off Valencia's coast forced the South African boat to come back in the canal in order to hoist the mainsail on more tranquil waters.

Luna Rossa's shore crew was putting the mast on ITA-94 while in the K-Challenge base FRA-93 was being fitted out as training is scheduled to start on Monday. Finally, the arrival of Greek Challenge is expected this weekend while it shouldn't be long before we see Alinghi's SUI-100 off the Malvarosa beach.

Damiani ItaliaDamiani Italia, the team skippered by Vasco Vascotto, helmed by Francesco Bruni and sponsored by Italian jewelers Damiani, went out today for their 2nd training session aboard Victory Challenge's SWE-73, the oldest of the two Swedish boats.

Damiani Italia is using Victory Challenge's SWE-73 to train. Valencia, 9 January 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Francesco Bruni is on the helm, Vasco Vascotto on the phone while there is a patchwork of logos from 32nd AC teams among the crew. Valencia, 9 January 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Damiani Italia is entirely crewed by, you guessed it, Italians. Valencia, 9 January 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

ShosholozaThe South African boat had docked out earlier than the Italians but we got lucky. With the sea being very choppy they were forced to return to the canal in order to hoist the mainsail. It is interesting to notice that the crew is almost entirely Italian.

It's been a long time we haven't photographed RSA-83 in action. Valencia, 9 January 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Shosholoza crew ready to hoist the mainsail. Valencia, 9 January 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Shosholoza's RSA-83 "disappears" on Valencia's choppy waters. Valencia, 9 January 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna RossaThe Italian team's shore crew was masting ITA-94 while we were there and from what we understand training could start as early as tomorrow. Around 40 people are expected to arrive in the base on Friday and Saturday.

Luna Rossa's shore crew masting ITA-94. Valencia, 9 January 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing