America's Cup update, Luna Rossa defeats Artemis Racing in first match up

A short article on americascup.com covering the basics more details to follow.

http://www.americascup.com/en/news/4/events/17088/regatta-directors-briefing

UPDATE: 1410 hours

Italy’s Luna Rossa Challenge won Race 1 of the Louis Vuitton Cup semifinals by 2 minutes over Artemis Racing.

Sailing for just the ninth day on its second AC72, Artemis Racing put forth a spirited effort. The Swedish team won the start and led at the first mark rounding, but Luna Rossa proved faster downwind on the day. The Italian AC72 consistently averaged 2-4 knots more boatspeed on the downwind legs, which allowed it to sail lower and faster towards the next mark.
Full report to follow.

Race performance data

• Course: Seven legs
• Course length: 15.83 nautical miles
• Elapsed time: LR – 43:20; ART – 45:20
• Total distance sailed: LR – 18.78 NM; ART – 18.69 NM
• Average speed: LR – 26.04 knots; ART – 24.75 knots
• Top speed: LR – 39.19 knots; ART – 40.56 knots
• Wind speed: average 16.1 knots; peak gust 20.4 knots

also an article submitted by Bob Fisher to Sail-World:

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Louis-Vuitton-Cup:-Artemis-big-surprise-in-first-Semi-Final-race/112914

The first semi-final of the Louis Vuitton Cup was marked by a surprisingly good performance by Artemis Racing with ‘Big Blue'.

The Swedish team was beaten by Luna Rossa, but considering the relatively different amount of sailing of the two teams – 80 days for Luna Rossa to 80 hours for Artemis Racing – the two minute difference at the finish was a great deal closer than might have been expected.

What also took everyone by surprise was the aggression of Artemis helmsman, Nathan Outteridge at the start. He and his rival, Chris Draper on Luna Rossa, have sparred before – in 49er skiffs – but never before in these giant wing-sailed AC-72 catamarans. Yet with a minute to go Outteridge had made his intentions clear.

The crowd along Marina Green were treated to the sight of Artemis ahead and to windward of Luna Rossa, and determined to maintain this advantage. Draper, it seemed, did not 'pull the trigger' fast enough and Artemis’ timing was right on the button, crossing the starting line within a second of gunfire and there was a clear boat’s length of water between the two.

read more here