Britain Seizes Lead after Italy’s Sail Mishap in America’s Cup

Italy faced equipment issues during an America’s Cup race in strong Mediterranean winds, giving a victory to Britain's team. This win grants Britain a 2-1 lead in the series. The Italian team was disqualified as they were unable to repair their AC75 sail rig in time for the race start.

In a significant turn of events, Italy encountered equipment failure during their America's Cup race on Sunday, allowing Britain to claim victory and take a 2-1 lead. The incident occurred off the coast of Barcelona, where strong Mediterranean winds wreaked havoc on Italy's AC75 sail rig.

The damage compelled the Italians to lower their mainsail and initiate repairs, but they were unable to complete the task in time. This delay led to their disqualification as support crew were on board when the race was supposed to start. Consequently, Britain was awarded a crucial point in the first-to-seven Louis Vuitton Cup series.

The victorious team from this series will challenge reigning champions New Zealand for the prestigious America's Cup, a trophy dating back to 1851. With wind speeds at the limit of event regulations and race timings pushed back repeatedly, the Italian team's struggle to get ready was evident. Meanwhile, another contender, the Swiss team, experienced their own difficulties, capsizing in the windy conditions but fortunately reporting all crew members safe.

(With inputs from agencies.)