Sunday, February 20, 2000
After all the talk, not to mention the taunts from Prada designer Doug Peterson that the Kiwi boat was slow, Black Magic's ugly knuckle-shaped bow and funny winged keel proved vastly superior to the sleek elegance of the Italians' Luna Rossa.
Everyone said Prada would have an edge
in light airs; the wind only gusted 10 to 12 knots and Team New Zealand blew the challengers off the water.
Skipper Russell Coutts dominated Francesco de Angelis during the pre-start, with smoother tacks and sharper gybes proving the Kiwis had the better boat-handling skills.
Prada may have been first over the start line but Coutts steered Black Magic to the favoured starboard side and quickly reduced Luna Rossa's lead.
The race to the first mark was the most exciting, but the Italians choked when they had a chance to cross in front of their rivals and take the preferred right-hand side. Team New Zealand sailed flawlessly, hauling in Luna Rossa to take a 22s lead at the first mark. From there, it was virtually plain sailing for Coutts' crew, with 14s more by the second downhill mark.
The Kiwis dictated the race, covering Prada's every move and grinding out an extraordinary 1m 3s advantage during the upwind third leg. Prada only won one, downhill on the fourth leg, chewing up the water to reduce the deficit to 25s.
Downwind speed appeared to be Prada's only advantage and Team New Zealand's comprehensive performance in the light airs boded ill for the Italians.
nzherald.co.nz/americascup
