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Luna Rossa putting their priorities ahead of safety of the New Zealand public. They disagree but what else would you call it? Crowds will still flock to the shore lines to watch this event so an extra 2 days is not going to kill Luna Rossa's challenge. The teams spoke person is Longanesi Cattani and was not exactly winning over public support for his stance and was more than obvious he didn't care less about the New Zealand public. **
This morning in the small hours of the morning I was watching the drama play out at the America's Cup. The Italian's are not happy and they came across as really bad sports and in my words total dick heads. What got me was the press could have had a field day and they tip toed around the Luna Rossa representatives like they were royalty.
Auckland went into Covid lockdown 2 days ago due to the new strain being discovered. Up until now the racing has had no issues and the lock down prevented racing yesterday. The Italian team is not happy as they feel racing should continue.
The New Zealand Government has said that level 1 lock down will allow racing to continue and can even happen under level 2 conditions except spectators are allowed in groups of more than 100 plus the social distancing rules obviously.
The Organisers of the race don't see an issue delaying the racing to try and get spectators back on the course and could be as early as the weekend. The Italians stated that the deadline is the 24th and those are the rules for the completion of the event. They are obviously in a 4-0 leading position and kept harping on about the rules and that they cannot be changed. Of course they can as circumstances change and they don't see how selfish and stupid they are looking right now.
They harped on that their is a local regatta happening on Friday so why can't they race. The difference is simple as these boats that Ineos and Luna Rossa are racing are travelling at over 40 knots which is close to 100km/h in close proximity of each other. There are over 1000 volunteers manning safety craft and medical assistance for the just in case moments. The Italians don't want to see that part as it doesn't fit their agenda.
We have seen other sports cancelled totally and other events moved by months and we are only talking maybe a few days in this instance. If they were losing the race then they would be saying the opposite trying to delay, whereas Ineos has said they will go with what ever is decided by the Americas Cup.
The America's Cup has to do what is right by their hosts (New Zealand Government), stake holders and the public and not because one team wants to push the rules suiting themselves. They have lost the public vote and suggest they not come across as being so arrogant.
Wouldn't it be funny if Ineos wins the next 4 races and we then see what the Italians do as I bet anything that the 24th will be pushed out by them then as that would then suit them better. I somehow can see Ineos clawing this lead back as this has thrown the Italians more than the British. The Italians believe something sinister is at hand and there is another agenda trying to stop them winning which is not the case.