America’s Cup: Artemis Racing on the brink of elimination

San Francisco, CA (August 9, 2013) – In the third race of the Louis Vuitton Cup challenger Semi-Final series, Luna Rossa Challenge (ITA) resoundingly beat Artemis Racing (SWE) by 1:18. In this best of seven series, the Italians need to win only one more race to advance to the challenger Finals against Emirates Team New Zealand. Details below. Photos: LUNA ROSSA/Studio Borlenghi/ Borlenghi-Butto

1412: Race performance data

• Course: Seven legs
• Course length: 15.53 nautical miles
• Elapsed time: LR – 47:36; ART – 48:54
• Delta: Luna Rossa +1:18
• Total distance sailed: LR – 19.6 NM; ART – 19.5 NM
• Average speed: LR – 24.7 knots (28 mph); ART – 24.0 knots (27 mph)
• Top speed: LR – 39.71 knots (46 mph); ART – 37.25 knots (43 mph)
• Wind speed: average 15.2 knots; peak gust 17.6 knots

1405: Luna Rossa won Race 3 of the Louis Vuitton Cup semifinal by 1 minute, 18 seconds. Luna Rossa looked fantastic today in winning this race. The crew nailed the start and then steadily pulled away from Artemis Racing. The Swedish team sailed well, too, reducing its deficit by 1 minute from Race 2, but Luna Rossa was too good today.

1401: Luna Rossa has cleared the final turning mark and is heading towards the finish line and a 3-0 lead against Artemis Racing in the semifinal round of the Louis Vuitton Cup.

1355: Luna Rossa leads Artemis Racing by 1 minute, 12 seconds at the final windward gate. So far, Luna Rossa’s top speed is 39.71 knots and Artemis Racing’s 37.25.

1346: Today’s seven-leg course measures 15.53 nautical miles. The wind has shifted left a bit to 245 degrees and is averaging 15 knots with gusts up to 18 knots.

1342: Luna Rossa went through the second leeward gate on starboard and has increased the lead on Artemis Racing to 1 minute, 9 seconds. Luna Rossa looks very good today, the best they’ve looked since the start of racing.

1335: Luna Rossa rounds the first windward gate on port tack, 52 seconds ahead of Artemis Racing, which rounds on starboard.

1330: Luna Rossa has been showing impressive speed today. The Italian team has steadily increased its lead up the first beat from about 140 meters at the bottom of the leg to more than 200 meters halfway up the leg. The wind is still blowing about 16 knots and gusting up to 18-19 knots.

1322: Luna Rossa rounds the first leeward gate on port tack, 26 seconds ahead of Artemis Racing, which follows on port tack.

1317: Luna Rossa leads by 11 seconds at the first reach mark. It’s the first lead for Luna Rossa at Mark 1 in this series.

1315: Luna Rossa, on starboard, goes after Artemis Racing. Luna Rossa gets a leeward hook and luffs them up and forces Artemis Racing to tack away. Luna Rossa wins the start outright.

1313: The crews have entered the pre-start.

1250: Wind reports from the racecourse indicate the breeze is blowing from 255 degrees, west/southwest, around 16 knots and gusting to 19 knots. The race start is scheduled for 1315. Luna Rossa Challenge will enter the pre-start on port tack and Artemis Racing on starboard.

Full report. Additional details.