Damiani Italia Challenge leads Emirates Team New Zealand. Image copyright Stefano Gattini/Damiani Italia Challenge.
by Louis Vuitton Pacific Series media
Race 1: Alinghi beat TEAMORIGIN, 15s
TEAMORIGIN and Alinghi had a tight battle. Image copyright Ian Roman.
After a lengthy delay waiting for wind, the keenly-awaited rematch between Alinghi and TEAMORIGIN got underway on the northernmost race course in a shift seven knot breeze. Following some ballet manoeuvres in the early stages of the pre-start, the two boats then kept their distance, content to cross the start line and head left - TEAMORIGIN crossing the line first.
Alinghi rode TEAMORIGIN's hip as they headed towards Takapuna Beach, picking up fresh breeze. When Alinghi could no longer survive there, it tacked away and TEAMORIGIN allowed them to go - the distance across the course more than 600m. When the boats met again two-thirds of the way to the top mark, TEAMORIGIN had a 30m lead, and skipper Ben Ainslie smartly kept bouncing Alinghi back to the right and eventually beyond the layline. It gave TEAMORIGIN a 15s advantage around the mark, which it held downwind.
On the third leg, Alinghi helmsman Ed Baird engaged the British boat in a tacking duel; the Brits determined not to relinquish the right. On the final approach to the weather mark, the boats split and Ainslie was forced to put in an extra tack to round the mark only 2s ahead of Baird. As the boats headed down the right side of the course, Alinghi charged down TEAMORIGIN, forcing Ainslie to gybe left in search of clear air. The Swiss boat held its course, snatching a morale-boosting 15s win and delivering TEAMORIGIN their first defeat of the regatta.
TEAMORIGIN and Alinghi downwind. Image copyright Ian Roman.
Deltas
Mark 1 - 0:15 TEAMORIGIN
Mark 2 - 0:20 TEAMORIGIN
Mark 3 - 0:02 TEAMORIGIN
Finish - 0:15 Alinghi
Race 2: Pataugas by K-Challenge beat Greek Challenge, 27s
Gavin Brady steering the Greek Challenge had the starboard tack advantage as the boats enetered the box and held the French boat K-Challenge head to wind in a prolonged dial-up until he broke it off. The breeze was building to the 10 to 12 knot range. Brady clearly wanted the left and as the seconds ticked down he was below the committee on the starboard layline defending his choice while the French were out to the right. For long seconds it appeared he would shut out French helmsman Sebastien Col. There was just room for Col to get the French boat's bow into the gap between the Greeks and the committee boat but the Frenchman was forced away to port seconds later. First blood to the fledgling Greek team. A close tacking duel up the first leg ended in a side-by-side mark rounding with no time difference. From their position to windward on the starboard gybe, the French were able to overtake and maintain a small lead for the rest of the race.
Deltas
Mark 1 - 0:00 Pataugas by K-Challenge and Greek Challenge
Mark 2 - 0:21 Pataugas by K-Challenge
Mark 3 - 0:20 Pataugas by K-Challenge
Finish - 0:27 Pataugas by K-Challenge
Race 3: Damiani Italia Challenge beat Emirates Team New Zealand, 14s
Damiani Italia Challenge. Image copyright Stefano Gattini/Damiani Italia Challenge.
The biggest upset of the day came as the newcomer Damiani Italia Challenge convincingly put away undefeated Emirates Team New Zealand in the best tacking duel seen yet in this series. The Kiwis had the starboard entry advantage and skipper Dean Barker used it to good advantage, chasing Italian helmsman Francesco Bruni around the start line before settling for a clean start to leeward of Damiani.
Both boats bore off momentarily before the start, building speed before hardening up to start together at speed. The Italians tacked and headed out to the starboard tack layline moments later, pursued by the Kiwis, trailing by about 20m. When Bruni eventually tacked he was still ahead, with the starboard tack advantage. After 12 punishing tacks he retained the lead and kept it to the end, despite everything that Barker threw at him.
The afterguard on Damiani Italia Challenge keep their heads out of the boat. Image copyright Stefano Gattini/Damiani Italia Challenge.
Deltas
Mark 1 - 0:11 Damiani Italia Challenge
Mark 2 - 0:21 Damiani Italia Challenge
Mark 3 - 0:25 Damiani Italia Challenge
Finish - 0:14 Damiani Italia Challenge
Race 4: China Team beat Shosholoza, 55s
Disaster struck Team Shosholoza in the final leg of their race against China Team. Although the China boat led throughout the race, the South Africans were in striking distance when they lost their gannaker starting the second run. After some serious trawling the chase boat crew finally cut the halyard and took the load off the mast.
Earlier, in the pre-start, Chaina Team made the smartest moves, slowing down Shosholoza in the approach to the line. World match racing champion Ian Williams covered Cian's tacks in textbook fashion. Downwind, Shosholoza successfully went wind-hunting to the left so the boats were bow-to-bow at the bottom mark.
China Team eked out another lead to round the final mark just three boat lengths ahead, but South African hopes were dashed when the clew tore out of the gennaker after the set. Team China sailed on to a 55s victory.
Deltas
Mark 1 - 0:17 China Team
Mark 2 - 0:11 China Team
Mark 3 - 0:19 China Team
Finish - 0:55 China Team
Race 5: BMW ORACLE Racing beat Luna Rossa, 58s
BMW ORACLE Racing and Luna Rossa Challenge head upwind. Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/BMW ORACLE Racing.
Cup champion Russell Coutts dished out a masterclass on starting technique in his match-up with Italy's Luna Rossa sailed by Peter Holmberg. After an aggressive circling duel in choppy water and 18 knots of wind in the Rangitoto Channel, Coutts positioned his US team below the committee boat and began a perfectly-timed approach to the line. The speeding US boat rolled over the Italians right at the gun and into an instant 26 second lead.
When they split tacks a few minutes later, Coutts led by 50 metres. The American boat's port tack start took her into less tide and flatter water under Rangitoto and by the time they rounded the top mark she was nearly 200 metres in front. Coutts kept the pressure on and led by 320 metres at the finish.
Deltas
Mark 1 - 0:35 BMW ORACLE Racing
Mark 2 - 0:26 BMW ORACLE Racing
Mark 3 - 0:38 BMW ORACLE Racing
Finish - 0:58 BMW ORACLE Racing
Louis Vuitton Pacific Series
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