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Race day 6 of the America's Cup saw Team New Zealand win the only race of the day in a proper battle. The wind favored sailing on the right hand side of the course today and disappeared for the final race of the day to be pushed over till tomorrow.
There is nothing between these boats and it comes down to the smallest mistakes and we saw another one by the Italian Luna Rossa team today. They were bullying the Kiwi's for most of the race where the lead changed 3 times over the 6 legs.
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Prada Luna Rossa have to somehow pull off a miracle winning the next 4 races.
On the second last leg The Italians tried to force the New Zealanders over to the left hand side of the course but they doubled back and kept the right hand side where the wind was and the Italians went off to the left which was a big error on their part. A 20 meter lead turned into a 400m deficit.
The New Zealand team turned for home going through gate 6 and extended their lead and won comfortably. The Italians have their backs against it now and cannot see them holding the New Zealand team back who only need one more race to win the America Cup.
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I expect that Ineos owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe to become the new Challenger of Record for 2025 and it will be held off The Isle of Wight Southampton, England in 4 years time. Money talks with the New Zealand team and the Italians who have been the COR for the last 20 years will now be a total outsider. This was their chance of victory and they have let it slip through their hands.
This has shown how important it is to get the boat designs early and the benefits of being part of the planning. The COR has a huge advantage over any other contestants and why Ineos will be ready to challenge as soon as the racing is done either tomorrow or the next day. They needed the extra year to be properly competitive which the Italians had.
Negotiations will happen on the next venue as New Zealand being the defending champion have left the ball with their Government as this is going to the highest bidder. Billionaire owner of Ineos will not be outbid and why I say it is heading back to where the first Americas Cup happened 170 years ago.
Funny, I have not thought much of the Cup since it left Rhode Island. What a huge difference those years have made.
I hope we win this, NZ could do with something to celebrate!