American Magic frustrated after two losses on first day of Prada Cup semi finals

American Magic took two losses against Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli on the first day of racing at the Prada Cup Semi-finals.

Eleven days after suffering significant damage and nearly sinking during a Round Robins race, American Magic took to the water to again do battle with the Italians.

However, it wasn’t to be a victorious return to the water with the racing leaving the American team frustrated.

American Magic were dealt two sizeable losses in the first races of the best-of-seven series against Luna Rossa, being out sailed in both pre-starts, before running into trouble at the end of the fifth leg in both races, according to the New Zealand Herald.

Although beaten out of the blocks, American Magic showed plenty of speed on the water and looked as though it would take just a small mistake from their opposition to open the door for them, but while rounding the right-hand marker of the fifth gate, American Magic came off their foils and, in doing so, lost too much ground to Luna Rossa.

In the second race, Helmsman Dean Barker’s frustration was made clear by his one-worded response to their splashdown which was picked up by the broadcast and quickly drew apologies to the viewers from the commentary team.

Following the day’s racing American Magic Skipper, Terry Hutchinson said: “Tomorrow we [will] come back out swinging. That’s all you can really do. We just have to sail better.”

Two more races are scheduled for tomorrow.