LIVE: Race 4 Thriller: American Magic Misses Victory by Just 2 Seconds
LIVE: Louis Vuitton Cup Semi-Final, Day 2 // Luna Rossa vs NYYC American Magic
It was high-stakes racing on the second day of the Louis Vuitton Cup Semi-Finals, American Magic battled fiercely against Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, but despite a valiant effort, they fell just 2 seconds short of a crucial win, leaving them 0-4 down in the best-of-nine series.
Race 3: NYYC American Magic (Port entry) vs Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli (Starboard entry)
In the third race of the Louis Vuitton Cup Semi-Finals, American Magic faced off against Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli in light southerly winds ranging from 6 to 12 knots. Despite entering the start box on time, *Patriot* couldn’t match the pace of the Italians, who took control of the race.
American Magic stayed in the hunt, but an error in the second leg and a costly touchdown on the third upwind allowed Luna Rossa to extend their lead. The Italian crew sailed a clean, error-free race, while the American team struggled to close the gap. Luna Rossa crossed the finish line 26 seconds ahead, extending their series lead to 3-0.
Now facing a must-win scenario, American Magic must dig deep to turn the tide in this best-of-nine series.
Race 4: Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli (Port entry) vs NYYC American Magic (Starboard entry)
American Magic entered Race 4 of the Louis Vuitton Cup Semi-Finals with their backs against the wall, needing to win to keep their hopes alive in this best-of-nine series. With Luna Rossa leading 3-0, the pressure was on for the American team to start turning things around.
In a steady 14-15 knot southwesterly breeze, Patriot had a solid start, crossing the line neck and neck with Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli. Both teams sailed cleanly upwind, and although the Italians rounded the top mark first, American Magic was only 6 seconds behind—setting the stage for another thrilling race.
The downwind leg saw the Italians briefly touch down during their rounding, allowing the Americans to close the gap. By the second upwind leg, however, Luna Rossa found more speed, maintaining an 11-second lead at the halfway point. American Magic kept the pressure on, narrowing the gap to just 3 seconds by the final mark.
As the boats sprinted toward the finish, American Magic surged forward, but it wasn’t quite enough. Luna Rossa held on to win by just 2 seconds, clinching a 4-0 lead in the series.
American Magic now faces an all-or-nothing scenario, needing to win every remaining race to stay in contention for the 37th America’s Cup. The margin for error is gone, but the fight continues.
More to follow.
