In moderate winds, INEOS Team UK with Ben Ainslie GBR had today no chance either against Luna Rossa of Francesco Bruni ITA/Jimmy Spithill AUS losing twice in the last two races of the Prada Cup. This means the Italians will challenge Team New Zealand in the America's Cup beginning March 6th. ----- The replay of today's races and the reports.

In moderate winds between 10 and 12kn, races no. 5 & 6 of the Prada Cup were sailed this morning UTC in Auckland. ----- In race 5, Luna Rossa won, while in the second race of the day, INEOS Team UK with Ben Ainslie GBR took the first win of the series and herewith some hope: 1-5 down, the English still need 6 wins. Luna Rossa can make everything clear tomorrow Sunday morning with two wins. Once again, we will be broadcasting live on www.sailing-news.com. ----- The reports and the video replay of the day.

This morning UTC, Luna Rossa with Francesco Bruni ITA/Jimmy Spithill AUS won both races of the day held in Auckland in a 12-16kn wind and is now leading the best-of-13 series 4-0. Speed differences were hardly noticeable, however, INEOS Team UK of Ben Ainslie GBR started twice very badly and could not close the gap. ----- Races 5 & 6 are scheduled for Wednesday morning. ----- The report and the event website with the video replay of the day.

The final of the Prada Cup got underway this morning UTC in initially light winds, picking up to 15-17kts during the second race. ----- Dropping from the foils at the start of race one, INEOS Team UK with Ben Ainslie GBR never had a chance to come back, and Luna Rossa (Francesco Bruni ITA/Jimmy Spithill AUS) had an easy time winning by more than 2 minutes - the report. ----- The second race in a solid Seabreeze was more even, but the Italians had a small speed advantage upwind controlling the Brits during the whole match, taking it home with a 26 seconds margin. ----- Tomorrow the best-of-13 series continues, and Ben Ainslie and his team are challenged. ----- The event website and the video replay of the day.

Ben Ainslie GBR with his INEOS Team UK and Francesco Bruni ITA/James Spithill AUS on Luna Rossa will meet for the first two duels on Saturday. We will be broadcasting live on sailing-news.us early in the morning from 2am UTC. The replay will be available all day. ----- Both teams are in their final training sessions, .... new foils and sails are being used... high tension for the outcome. While the first weekend will see mainly lighter winds, the forecast for Wednesday is strong, maybe even too strong above the max-limit of 21kn. ----- The last two duels between the teams in the Round Robin were both won by the English, but one was decided only shortly before the finish after 9 leader changes. Another match that Luna Rossa was leading by far was abandoned due to the time limit being exceeded. Balanced duels are to be expected!! ----- The preview.

In fresh winds of up to 22kn, the first two duels of the Prada Cup semi-finals were sailed this morning. Luna Rossa (Francesco Bruni ITA / Jimmy Spithill AUS) easily prevailed twice with a lead of over 3 minutes each. The American Magic Team apparently did not have enough time to test their Cupper sufficiently on the water after the repairs. Nevertheless, the Americans managed to reach 53.31kn (99.2 km/h), the highest speed ever achieved at the Prada Cup. ----- The event website with all reports and videos.

In inconsistent winds of around 20kn, Ben Ainslie GBR and his INEOS team made everything clear with a victory in the first duel against Luna Rossa (Francesco Bruni ITA/James Spithill AUS) and qualified directly for the final of the Prada Cup. In an animated race with several position changes, the English were able to prevail, thanks to better boat speed (sometimes more than 50kn !). Above the replay of the race. The report.

In inconsistent winds of around 20kn, Ben Ainslie GBR and his INEOS team made everything clear with a victory in the first duel against Luna Rossa (Francesco Bruni ITA/James Spithill AUS) and qualified directly for the final of the Prada Cup. In an animated race with several position changes, the English were able to prevail, thanks to better boat speed (sometimes more than 50kn !). See the replay of the race on www.sailing-news.us . The report.

Tomorrow morning (CET) the 3rd round of the Round Robin starts in Auckland, a duel between INEOS Team UK (Ben Ainslie GBR) and Luna Rossa (Francesco Bruni ITA/James Spithill AUS). We will again broadcast the race live on our sailing-news. With one win the English are directly qualified for the final, Luna Rossa needs two wins to avoid the semi-final against American Magic. There was a final press conference this morning, here is the video.

After the temporary retirement of American Magic after their capsize, the programme of the coming weekend will only include the two duels between the so far unbeaten INEOS (Ben Ainsle GBR) and Luna Rossa (Francesco Bruni ITA, Jimmy Spithill AUS). With one win INEOS is directly qualified for the final, Luna Rossa would have to win twice. The second-ranked team will then sail a semi-final against American Magic. The report.

Gusty winds from the shore, sometimes exceeding 20 knots, made for two difficult races in Auckland this morning UTC. The first duel between INEOS and Luna Rossa had to be abandoned after a 90-degree wind shift when the Italians were clearly in the lead. INEOS then narrowly prevailed in the resail - the report. The duel between American Magic and Luna Rossa was dramatic: The Americans were clearly in the lead before the last downwind, but surprised by a gust, they capsized and the Italians managed to win the race. The USA AC75 was damaged during the incident and began taking on water. Efforts to stabilize PATRIOT and get the yacht back to shore are currently underway. The report.
The ranking list after Round Robin 2 and the event website.

In 9 days, the first of four Round Robins of the Prada Cup will begin in Auckland with the three challengers determining the opponent of Cup Holder 'Team New Zealand'. In fresh winds around 20kn, all four teams were out on the water. 'INEOS Team Britannia' was convincing in the duel with 'American Magic' in these conditions. During the World Series held in light winds four weeks ago, the Brits faced major speed problems. ----- The report from sail-world.com.