Italy's two entries in the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series (LVPS) both lost their opening races in the America's Cup class sailing event on Friday.
Luna Rossa, a three-time America's Cup veteran which reached the final in 2000 after winning the original Louis Vuitton Cup (LVC), lost against Britain's Team Origin which dominated the regatta from start to finish.
On Saturday Luna Rossa will meet the team which currently holds the America's Cup, Alinghi of Switzerland.
Damiani Italia, a newcomer to the America's Cup circuit, opened the series against host Emirates Team New Zealand and also found itself playing catch-up the whole race.
The Italian crew will face China Team next.
In the other regattas on Friday, France's K-Challenge defeated China Team, while Alinghi was awarded the race point after Greek Challenge rammed it while they were both jockeying for the start.
America's BMW Oracle and South Africa's Shosholoza both rested on the first day.
The LVPS was organised to mark the 25th anniversary of the French fashion house's foray into the world of sailing at its highest level: the America's Cup.
Up until July 2007 it was the LVC which designated the official challenger for sailing's most prestigious trophy.
The LVPS is also designed to keep up interest in big boat sailing until a new America's Cup can be staged, once legal disputes over the format have been resolved.
A total of ten teams are taking part in the LVPS and have been divided into two groups of five.
The one-on-one match races are being staged rotating the same boats, two provided by host Emirates Team New Zealand and two on loan from the BMW Oracle.
This was done not only to level the playing and cut down on costs, but also to highlight the skills of the crew over technological advantages.
Each team, however, brought their own spinnaker made using the colors of their respective national flags.
After the first round robin the top three crews from each group, with the exception of Team New Zealand which as host will go straight to the final, will compete in the Gold Fleet, while the remaining three teams will be up against each other in the Silver Fleet.
The winner of the Gold Fleet will qualify for the Challenger Final, while the others will advance to the Third Round.
The winner of the Silver Fleet will also move up to the Third Round, which will determine who joins the Gold Fleet winner in the Challenger Final.
The final is scheduled for February 15.
