(Reuters) – Italy’s Luna Rossa took control on the opening day of the Challenger Series final as they opened a 2-0 lead over Team UK’s INEOS at Acaland Waitemata Harbor on Saturday.
The first race was effectively settled over the starting line as INEOS picked up an early 600m advantage that the Italians never seemed to give up.
INEOS Ben Ainslie also collected penalties for entering the starting box prematurely and then for crossing the limit. Luna Rossa, who crushed American Magic 4-0 in the semi-finals, won by one minute and 52 seconds.
Both teams made a strong start in the second race before Luna Rossa opened a small win through the first gate. The Italians maintained the narrow lead throughout the race before crossing the line 26 clear seconds.
The final round of the best Challenger Series of 13 ends on February 22 with the winners taking on Team New Zealand from March 6 for the American Cup.
Reporting by Hardik Vyas in Bengaluru; Edited by Peter Rutherford