Not one is good for this edition of theAmerica’s Cup, certainly one of the most controversial in the history of sailing. While awaiting the sporting events, which within a month will decide the next winner of the most coveted trophy in sailing but which are inevitably taking a back seat, another grain arrives for the US holders of Oracle.
The stars and stripes team, for years already more protagonist in court than in the water and supporter of the new formula - the one with catamarans - which is not convincing the enthusiasts, is once again in the storm and this time there is also the risk of disqualification from the competition for seriously unsportsmanlike behaviour. In fact, it emerged that one of the sailors of the American team knew that the catamarans had been modified irregularly.
The Jury will pronounce itself within days, and any disqualification would precisely result in the exclusion also from the America's Cup (final scheduled from 7 to 21 September) as even if the irregularity pertains to the World Series, the jurors cannot ignore the fact that the latter and the America's Cup have a single regulation.
In the meantime, however, one thing is certain: Oracle's challenger must be decreed, and this time the challenge (at least this one...) is played completely in the water, in the San Francisco Bay which is hosting the Louis Vuitton Cup match races which, as per tradition they will proclaim the challenger. AND in the final there is once again the Italian Luna Rossa: the legendary boat signed by Prada, already winner of this trophy in 2000 and in her fifth participation in the America's Cup, she went to sea amidst a thousand controversies, even threatening until the last moment not to do so due to constant differences with the American defenders, but now she's serious and after having liquidated 4-0 the Swedes of Artemis launches yet another challenge to the New Zealanders of Emirates Team New Zealand, eager to bring the trophy back to the Hauraki Gulf, on the other side of the planet.
The final kicks off on Saturday 17 August and will be a best-of-13 race: in the worst case scenario, therefore, that of a "good" race at the last regatta, the series will end on Friday 30 August. Then juries and various courts permitting, it will finally be time for the final: a best-of-17 regatta race that may not see Oracle in the water but which, if all goes well for the blue colors, could see the apotheosis of the infinite saga of Red Moon.
