Luna Rossa and INEOS Britannia dominate America’s Cup semifinals

In Barcelona, Spain, Italy's Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli and Britain's INEOS Britannia have both achieved significant victories in the semifinals of the America’s Cup. Each team has taken a commanding 4-0 lead in their respective first-to-five playoff series. Luna Rossa is competing against NYYC American Magic, while INEOS Britannia faces Switzerland’s Alinghi Red Bull Racing. A single additional win for either team will secure their place in the upcoming Louis Vuitton Cup final, scheduled to start on September 26. The semifinals have been particularly challenging for American Magic, who are missing their helmsman Paul Goodison due to a serious injury sustained from a fall on the boat. In his absence, Lucas Calabrese has taken over the helm, competing against Tom Slingsby. This situation has put American Magic at a disadvantage, as they struggle to keep pace with the dominant performance of Luna Rossa, who previously swept them 4-0 in the 2021 America’s Cup. On the other hand, INEOS Britannia, which excelled in the opening round-robin phase, strategically chose to compete against Alinghi, who barely avoided elimination in that same round. This decision has proven advantageous, as INEOS Britannia has maintained a strong lead throughout the semifinals. The outcomes of these semifinals are crucial, as the winners will advance to challenge the defending champions, Team Emirates New Zealand, in the America’s Cup final set for October. The current performances of Luna Rossa and INEOS Britannia suggest they are well-positioned to reach that final stage.