Louis Vuitton Cup, no rematch for Luna Rossa. For now

Red Moon in semifinals against American Magic

It's a Friday without racing in Barcelona, but it's still a crucial day for the fates of the Louis Vuitton Cup, the trophy that will determine Emirates New Zealand's challenger in the 37th edition of the America's Cup. Today, in fact, Ineos Britannia, the first seed after after the round robins, chose to compete in the semifinals against Alinghi, making it likely that the other challenge for a place in the finals will be between Luna Rossa and American Magic.

The Britons had won the right to choose their challenger in the semifinals by beating Luna Rossa itself in last Sept. 9 play-off, thanks to the regatta they won with a 42" advantage over the Italian outfit's AC75 boat. For the rematch, therefore, we will have to wait for the final, provided that the British and the team representing the Tricolor manage to overcome their respective opponents.

In the round robin, it was actually Emirates New Zealand that had the best score, but the New Zealand crew was participating out of the rankings as holders of the America's Cup. Ineos Britannia and Luna Rossa finished with 6 points clas each, the Brtiannics edged it out by winning the tiebreaker.

Behind them American Magic, with 4 points, and Alinghi, with 3. Definitively out of the picture were the French Orient Express Racing Team, which won only one point at the end of the round. The semifinal races are scheduled from Sept. 14 to 19, the finals from Sept. 26 to Oct. 5.