The racing saw America’s Cup defender Emirates Team New Zealand once again tied with Italian challenger Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli after another two races.

In the previous session of racing on March 10, the New Zealand team won the first round and lost to the Italians in the second. 

On March 12, the scores were reversed with Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli securing the first win and Emirates Team New Zealand winning the second race. This means that the two teams now remain in a heated deadlock.

The third race, held across Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour and Hauraki Gulf, took pace in winds between nine and 10 knots.

The race was initially halted after some spectators had wandered onto the race course and needed to be ushered off.

Once the teams could begin again, they raced for 27 minutes and 55 seconds before the Italians emerged victorious with a distance of over 500 metres between Luna Rossa and Te Rehutai.

When the fourth session of AC75 racing began, the winds had dropped to eight knots as Emirates Team New Zealand entered to port

In the closing moments of the second leg, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli struggled with the gybe and slowed down significantly.

Unable to lay the gate, the distance between the two boats increased and ended up costing Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli a second win. Emirates Team New Zealand won the race by one minute and three seconds.

Taking place every four years, the America’s Cup is the oldest trophy in international sport and considered the pinnacle of yacht racing.

To make it to the final as the America’s Cup challenger, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli previously triumphed over the British team INEOS Team UK and US team American Magic in the early rounds of the racing.

The next set of races will take place March 13 and 14. Additional days on March 15, 16 and 17 have been set aside if needed to conclude the first-to-seven wins series.

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Refernce : Boat International