Luna Rossa are claiming they have forced Team New Zealand onto the back foot over the twin-helmsman system. Rumours that TNZ will copy the Luna Rossa method in the America's Cup match race have gathered pace after the challenger's skipper Max Sirena was interviewed on Sky Sport in Italy. Luna Rossa have been successful with the duel-helmsman strategy at the start of races. Team New Zealand's boat Te Rehutai is almost certainly faster across various wind speeds, with Luna Rossa's big hope being that they can match the defenders in lighter airs. Jimmy Spithill dominates the starts for Luna Rossa in his partnership with Francesco Bruni, as would Peter Burling if he was in a shared role with Glenn Ashby.

Source: New Zealand Herald March 02, 2021 21:22 UTC