The Louis Vuitton Cup Semi-Finals kicked off in Barcelona today, with American Magic facing off against Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli in an intense and closely contested Race 2. In a 10-knot breeze and shifty conditions, both teams put on an exhilarating display of match racing, with only seconds separating them for much of the race.
After a strong start, American Magic took an early lead, demonstrating excellent teamwork and smooth maneuvers on the water. The Patriot crew kept the pressure on Luna Rossa, maintaining a narrow advantage for most of the race, despite the challenging conditions that tested both crews’ tactical skills.
However, Luna Rossa found a small window of opportunity in the latter half of the race, using a favorable wind shift to edge ahead. American Magic stayed focused and fought back hard, closing the gap in the final moments, but Luna Rossa managed to cross the finish line just 7 seconds ahead, securing a hard-fought victory.
Although the race ended in a narrow defeat, American Magic’s performance highlighted their capability and resilience under pressure. With the “best of nine” format still in play, there’s plenty of racing left, and American Magic is ready to come back strong in the upcoming races.
You can watch the races at Seville Quarter.
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Photo: © IAN ROMAN / AMERICA’S CUP
