Italy's Luna Rossa benefited from a big penalty against Artemis Racing just before the start to complete a four-race sweep of the America's Cup challenger semifinals Saturday on San Francisco Bay.
Luna Rossa's chrome-hulled catamaran earned a berth in the best-of-13 Louis Vuitton Cup final against powerhouse Emirates Team New Zealand beginning next Saturday.
That winner advances to face defending champion Oracle Team USA in the 34th America's Cup starting Sept. 7.
Artemis helmsman Nathan Outteridge appeared to control Luna Rossa in the prestart maneuver, but his starboard bow hit the chrome cat's port hull.
Since Italy had right of way on starboard tack, Artemis was penalized.
Artemis also was penalized twice for crossing the course boundary lines later in the race. Artemis struggled to catch up after Andrew "Bart'' Simpson died in a capsize during a training run on May 9.
