Saturday 29 May 2010

Rolex Capri Sailing Week: Close Battle in Tricky Conditions


LIBERTINE, owner: FRANCO MARCO, class: COMET 45. Image copyright ROLEX/Carlo Borlenghi.

by Emanuela di Mundo

On the penultimate day of Rolex Capri Sailing Week there was tension on the dock. Virtually all of the classes are very much in the balance. The competitors sailed out to the race area in a fresh southeasterly breeze of 15 knots gusting up to 18 knots. A squall just before the start had crews scrambling to change headsails in the building breeze. Two windward-leeward races were scheduled for all classes and held in the strait between Capri and the mainland, nicknamed Piccola Boca.

In the Mini-Maxi Class, Andres Soriano’s Mills 68 Alegre has a perfect score so far but there is no discard at Rolex Capri Sailing Week which is probably why the opted for a conservative start for the first race of the day. All of the Mini-Maxi fleet opted to head for the mainland shore, to gain a lift from the breeze accelerating across the land, and despite their late start, Alegre powered through to make the top mark by some distance. Peter Ogden’s Reichel Pugh 60 Jethou was sporting a new revolutionary sail material 3Di and after reaching at speed to the offset mark. Jethou hoisted their spinnaker and sped off at 18 knots. They were surfing faster than the wind, the asymmetric sail producing apparent wind like a turbo charger.

Practice makes perfect and Alexander Scharer’s debuting his Marten 67, Caol Ila executed a text book heavy airs gybe shortly after the first mark. The gigantic spinnaker was expertly maneuvered with great precision. Caol Ila and Aegir continued to have a close quarters battle, the competitiveness of their duel spurred them both on. Caol Ila crossed the finish line just in front of Aegir. But after time correction, Brian Benjamin helming Aegir had his best result of the regatta, claiming second place for Race One.

Brian Benjamin was a happy man dockside: “I am really pleased with our result in our first race, the crew worked really well and it makes all the difference. We did have an issue on a gybe but the recovery was so good that we hardly lost any momentum.”

Aegir has been starting extremely well, as crew boss Guy Barron explains; “We have been getting off the line really well and navigator Peter Selby and tactician Andy Beadsworth have been working well with Brian at crucial times. We do have to be a little cautious with Aegir as she is a genuine cruiser racier and does not have the systems of the high-performance Mini-Maxis. That will be different when Brian launches his new boat, the Rogers 82, later this year.”

Andres Soriano’s Alegre has a perfect score line with one race to go and is assured of the Mini-Maxi Class title at Rolex Capri Sailing Week.

Vincenzo Addessi’s Mylius Fra Diavolo had another succesfull day and look well placed to win the class, however Luciano Gandini’s Twin Soul 5 and Vincenzo de Blasio’s Pithecusa are in a tight battle for second place.

It looks as if it will go to the wire in the one design X-41 Class. Pasquale Orofino’s Raffica and Gianclaudio Bassetti’s WB Five have had a real battle and the winner will not be decided until the last race.

In the Comet Class, Alessandro Nespega is having an excellent regatta. This is his fifth Rolex Capri Sailing Week and Fral 2 is looking to retain her class title from last year. In the first race of the day, the top three boats all finished within one minute of each other.

Max Procopio, team manager for FRAL 2 has been coming to Capri for 25 years. “Tonight’s Rolex party will be fantastic, Canzone del Mare is a magical place, truly amazing. Capri is not just a wonderful place to sail it is also a wonderful place just to visit and the party to night will be very special.”


JETHOU, Sir Peter Ogden's mini maxi. Image copyright Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi.

La Canzone del Mare embodies the essence of Capri. It is a famous location in Greek mythology for Ulysses, also known as a hero of the Trojan war. As Ulysses passed Capri on his journey home he asked his men to tie him to the mast of his boat and put wax in his ears so he would not be lured by the sirens, three beauties that lured sailors with their splendor and song. So enraged were the Sirens when they saw Ulysses that they turned themselves into three giant stones which still remain in the bay, collectively known as Faraglioni.

With the romantic Faraglioni as a backdrop, waterside terraces and traditional, elegant interiors, La Canzone del Mare is an enchanting venue. Under a carpet of stars and the sound of the sea, tonight’s party should be an unforgettable occasion for the honoured guests of Rolex including all of the owners and crew participating at Rolex Capri Sailing Week.

Provisional Standings
Place, Boat Name, Owner, Nation, R's-Points

Mini Maxi
1. ALEGRE Andres Soriano GBR, 1-1-1-1-1-1-6.00
2. JETHOU Sir Peter Ogden GBR, 2-2-2-2-3-2-13.00
3. AEGIR Brian Benjamin GBR, 3-3-3-3(RDG)-2-3-17.00

COMET
1. FRAL 2 Alessandro Nespega ITA, 1-2-1-1-2-3-2-12.00
2. LIBERTINE Marco Franco ITA, 2-4-2-3-1-1-1-14.00
3. I.NOVA I.Nova Sailing Team ITA, 4-1-6-2-3-4-4-24.00

X-41
1. RAFFICA Pasquale Orofino ITA, 3-1-1-2-4-1-1-5-18.00
2. WB FIVE Gianclaudio Bassetti ITA, 1-2-3-3-1-2-2-4-18.00
3. MALAFEMMENA Giovanni Arturo di Lorenzo ITA, 2-3-2-4-2-7-4-1-25.00

Mylius
1. FRA DIAVOLO Vincenzo Addessi ITA, 1-2-1-2-2-1-1-10.00
2. PITHECUSA Vincenzo De Blasio ITA, 3-1-3-3-3-3-2-18.00
3. TWIN SOUL 5, Luciano Gandini ITA, 4-3-2-1-4-2-4-20.00

Rolex Capri Sailing Week

LVT: Russia joins Sweden and New Zealand in three-way tie at La Maddalena



Russia's Synergy Racing Team joined Sweden's Artemis and Emirates Team New Zealand on top of the points table at the Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena today as unstable wind conditions limited the schedule to just two races


Louis Vuitton Trophy, La Maddalena, Italy, May 22nd-June 6th 2010. Race Day 7,28th May 2010, © Paul Todd/outsideimages.co.nz/Louis Vuitton Trophy.

by Peter Rusch

There were upsets in both races sailed as the Russians beat the America’s Cup champion BMW Oracle Racing and Emirates Team New Zealand went down to Oracle on an umpire-initiated penalty for failing to maintain adequate rig tension on the last spinnaker run.

There was plenty of wind off the little island at the northeastern corner of Sardinia where ten international teams are racing the Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena but the shifty northwesterly breeze, gusting from ten to 20 knots, was never sufficiently stable to start races. The race committee waited five hours before starting the first race at 2:00 pm.


Race Day 7. BMW ORACLE Racing (USA) vs Synergy Russian Sailing Team (RUS), © Bob Grieser/outsideimages.co.nz/Louis Vuitton Trophy.

Synergy, which started today with a 3-3 win-loss record, scored a major victory by defeating Oracle. The Russian crew led by Poland’s Karol Jablonski has been steadily improving at this regatta. Yesterday, they won one and narrowly lost one race but today they made no mistakes adding the scalps of the America’s Cup champions to their belts.


Race Day 7. BMW ORACLE Racing (USA) vs Synergy Russian Sailing Team (RUS), © Bob Grieser/outsideimages.co.nz/Louis Vuitton Trophy.

The Russians big move came on the first spinnaker run of their race against Oracle as they overtook in 18 to 20 knot winds and then carefully protected their lead for the rest of the race. Emirates Team New Zealand appeared to have their race against Oracle sewn up too, landing a penalty on the Americans just over one minute into the pre-start and then staying close to Oracle after the Americans took the lead on the first beat. All that changed when the umpires penalized ETNZ for failing to maintain adequate rig tension. The penalties cancelled out and Oracle sailed on to win.


Race Day 7. BMW ORACLE Racing (USA) vs Synergy Russian Sailing Team (RUS), © Bob Grieser/outsideimages.co.nz/Louis Vuitton Trophy.

Flight Twenty-one, Race Two, Synergy Russian Sailing Team def BMW Oracle Racing, 00:21

Karol Jablonski’s Russian team pulled off a nail-biter come-from-behind victory over the America’s Cup winners. James Spithill claimed the committee end of the start line and although the Russians enjoyed a boat length lead, he controlled at the end of the leg and took them high of the mark to lead by nine seconds. Synergy fought back to roll Oracle on the spinnaker run.


Race Day 7. BMW ORACLE Racing (USA) vs Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), © Bob Grieser/outsideimages.co.nz/Louis Vuitton Trophy.

Flight Two, Race One: BMW Oracle Racing def Emirates Team New Zealand, 00:06
An upset win for the USA’s Oracle which raced carrying a penalty imposed in the pre-start but got off the hook when the umpires penalized the Kiwi boat for failing to maintain adequate rig tension (a rule adopted for this event to protect the supplied boats). At the start, Dean Barker and ETNZ were bow-forward and led, but James Spithill and Oracle dominated after the first tack. Half way down the last run Oracle was still leading but without sufficient room to complete a penalty turn. They got out of jail when the umpires penalized ETNZ. The Kiwis are expected to appeal the decision.


Race Day 7. BMW ORACLE Racing (USA) vs Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), © Bob Grieser/outsideimages.co.nz/Louis Vuitton Trophy.

Video of Kiwi Rod Dawson, Synergy's tactician, on Race Day 7 in La Maddalena:



Provisional win-loss leaderboard after Friday's racing

=1. Artemis, 4-1, 4 points
=1. Emirates Team New Zealand, 4-2, 4 points

=1. Synergy Russian Sailing Team, 4-3, 4 points
=4. Mascalzone Latino Audi Team, 4-1, 3 points *

=4. TEAMORIGIN, 3-3, 3 points
=4. All4One, 3-3, 3 points

=7. Azzurra, 2-3, 2 points

=7. Luna Rossa, 2-5, 2 points
=7. BMW Oracle Racing Team, 2-5, 2 points
=10. ALEPH Sailing Team, 2-4, -2 points *

* Penalties deducted by Jury/Umpires

Louis Vuitton Trophy

LVT: Long Wait, but No Race for Artemis



by Paul Cayard

Today was planned to be a big day for ARTEMIS, with two races scheduled. First was to be Emirates Team New Zealand followed by ALL4ONE in the third and fourth matches of the day. When our turn finally came round at 1700 this afternoon, there were issues with one of the mainsails, which led to more of a delay and in the end meant no race for us.

In the first match of the day, the Russian team SYNERGY put on an impressive performance against America’s Cup holders BMW Oracle Racing. In a tightly contested battle on the first upwind leg, Skipper James Spithill managed to take the Russians past the mark but SYNERGY fought back to roll the Americans on the downwind and led for the rest of the race, winning by 21 seconds.

For the next race the wind picked up, BMW Oracle stayed onboard and prepared to race Emirates Team New Zealand. James Spithill and his crew claimed their second win of the regatta in a tense race with two critical penalties, one for the American’s in the pre-start which was then offset on the final downwind leg when the umpires penalized ETNZ for too much forestay tension.

Tomorrow’s schedule has just been issued and Artemis will have two matches tomorrow, first against AZZURRA followed by ALL4ONE.

Tonight is the Louis Vuitton Crew Party, something we all look forward to during these events.

Artemis Racing
Louis Vuitton Trophy

Hollywood Actress Adds Glamour to HUGO BOSS boat Christening


HUGO BOSS christening in Canary Wharf, London. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images.

by Kassi Denman

Last night Alex Thomson’s new HUGO BOSS IMOCA 60 was officially unveiled at an exclusive launch event at the East Wintergarden, Canary Wharf. Hollywood leading lady, Diane Kruger, joined F1 racing driver David Coulthard, and a host of other celebrities, as Thomson’s new yacht was christened in front of an audience of 650 guests.


Diane Kruger with the champagne, Alex Thomson (centre) and David Coulthard (left). Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images.


Alex Thomson (left), Diane Kruger (centre) and David Coulthard (right). Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images.

The boat has undergone a dramatic redesign over the last four months under the guidance of yacht designer Juan Kouyoumdjian. HUGO BOSS stands as the most powerful boat in the IMOCA 60 fleet and over the next few months, Thomson will undertake a rigorous testing and training schedule which will involve a transatlantic and Mediterranean sailing programme before heading to Spain for the start of the Barcelona World Race in December.


Alex Thomson onboard his new "Hugo Boss" IMOCA Open 60, shown here sailing in the eastern Solent, 24th May 2010. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images.

Alex Thomson Racing

Interview with Karol Jablonski, Synergy's Skipper/Helmsman


Karol Jablonski, Synergy's skipper. Image copyright Alexander Peshnyak.

Anne Hinton caught up with Karol Jablonski after the Portugal Trophy of the Audi MedCup and before the Louis Vuitton Trophy (LVT) La Maddalena, where Synergy lie in the top three places in the round robin at time of publication (with a 4-3 win-loss score, while Artemis and ETNZ are on 4-1).

Synergy Russian Sailing Team has scored wins over BMW ORACLE Racing, Luna Rossa, ALL4ONE and Aleph Sailing Team, and finished just 4 seconds behind Emirates Team New Zealand, 6 seconds behind TEAMORIGIN and 8 seconds behind Mascalzone Latino Audi Team at the Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena.


Synergy at the first event of the Audi MedCup 2010. Image copyright Ian Roman/Audi MedCup.

AH: Have you trained much with the TP52 this year, for the Audi MedCup?

KJ: We did one week of practice in April in Valencia. Obviously it would be great to spend more time on the boat improving communication, crew work and testing sails...

AH: How old is the Synergy TP52?

KJ: This boat is the original BOR [BMW ORACLE Racing] boat, which they raced only once, a year ago in Marseille.


Synergy leads Portugal Trophy winner Emirates Team New Zealand at the first stage of the Audi MedCup 2010, off Cascais. Image copyright Ainhoa Sanchez/Audi MedCup.

AH: Are you happy with the results from Portugal?

KJ: We missed the chance to get a better result due to two bad last days and problems with the sailcloth of our gennaker A4.

KJ: The good news is, that between the second and eight place there is only small different in the total points. So, it's going to be long, tough season where every race will count.


Synergy at the Audi MedCup Portugal Trophy. Image copyright Ian Roman/Audi MedCup.

AH: Moving on to the Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena, have you had much time to train for this?

KJ: We had 5 very good days practice session in the beginning of May in Valencia. We were training with Luna Rossa and the wind conditions were excellent. So we have improved our crew work a lot and are much better prepared for this event [than in Auckland]. There won’t be any easy races and it’s very difficult to say now, where we are gonna end up.


Synergy's Audi MedCup team in Portugal. Image copyright Ian Roman/Audi MedCup.

AH: Did it help the crew to sail in the Audi MedCup before the Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena, although the boats are rather different?

KJ: Our crew is coming together. On the TP52 we sail with 8 Russians, two Kiwis, one Italian and one Pole. Communication - it’s been and still is a big issue, but we are heading in the right direction. We all have to improve in our jobs a lot in order to be more competitive in Marseille [for the next Audi MedCup event].


Race Day 7, Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena. Synergy Russian Sailing Team (RUS) leads BMW ORACLE Racing (USA), © Bob Grieser/outsideimages.co.nz/Louis Vuitton Trophy.

AH: What do you think of the conditions in La Maddalena?

KJ: It’s going to be a very challenging to race here: short courses, wind shifts, current and very competitive teams... We have now got 10 teams incl. BOR and Luna Rossa participating in this event. The level is for sure higher then ever, but this is good for this event and sailing.

AH: What sailing is Synergy doing this year?

KJ: The Synergy Team is mainly focused on the LVT and MedCup and this is pretty much a full on programme.


Race Day 7, Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena. Synergy Russian Sailing Team (RUS) leads BMW ORACLE Racing (USA), © Bob Grieser/outsideimages.co.nz/Louis Vuitton Trophy.

AH: What sailing are you doing this year?

KJ: I’m involved in both of these programmes and I do a bit of racing on the super maxi yachts. That’s probably enough :)

AH: Will Synergy go for the next America's Cup?

KJ: Difficult to say now, as we still don’t know enough about the next Cup...

AH: Many thanks for your time and all the best with your sailing.

Synergy Russian Sailing Team

Extreme Sailing Series Europe: Groupama Kicks off in Sète




Fleet in action during the first day of the Extreme Sailing Series 2010 in Sète. Image copyright Vincent Curuchet/DPPI/OC Events.

by Vincent Borde and Caroline Muller

Committed to sailing for the past twelve years alongside Franck Cammas, holder of the Jules Verne Trophy and now preparing for the next edition of the Volvo Ocean Race, Groupama is also closely following his participation in the Extreme 40 circuit for the second year running. The first event of the 2010 season, the Sète stage, began today for the eight competing crews.

Three races were scheduled off the Saint Louis jetty, which marks the entrance to the fishing port of Sète. Coloured by glorious sunshine and a fine, if not always steady breeze, the Olympic champions and ocean racing specialists like Hagara, Guichard, Booth, Cammas and Peyron had an absolute ball on what were slightly longer courses than usual.

With three different race winners, in the form of Guichard, Booth and Cammas, it's clear that the level of the competitors is very uniform and that every mistake has to be paid for in cash.


Groupama 40 in Sète. Image copyright Vincent Curuchet/DPPI/OC Events.

As far as this little game was concerned, the crew of Groupama 40 lost out big time on the first race, dropping from second to sixth through an unfavourable wind shift of 60°: "That's the nature of the beast sometimes. There was nothing we could do sadly, because you had to be behind to make the most of it" explained the tactician on Groupama 40, Tanguy Cariou. However, in the little game of `who loses wins', Loïck Peyron suddenly found himself bumped up to within a boat length of victory, despite previously being back in fifth position at the previous mark, quite a long way behind the leader, Groupe Edmond de Rothschild.

During the next two races, the wind still wasn't proving very regular, but was probably easier to predict. Forced to rack their brains, the tacticians nevertheless opted for opposite sides of the race zone with varying degrees of success, as was the case for Groupe Edmond de Rothschild who finished last in Race 2 after winning the first. More prudent, Groupama 40 favoured a course down the middle of the race zone, which proved pretty successful: "We got off to some good starts and sailed rather well. However, it's only the first day with three races contested and over twenty more to race. As such we're going to remain concentrated and will take each race as it comes" concluded Tanguy Cariou.

Winner of the third and final race of the day, the crew of Groupama 40 were certainly satisfied with their performance, but they're also very much aware that with the short courses which are on tomorrow's programme, the overall ranking will change very quickly.

Third overall behind Guichard and Booth, Franck Cammas and his three crew are right in the action, with the weather forecasts suggesting a slightly less steady wind on Friday for the six to eight races scheduled from 1330 hours.

Cammas - Groupama
Extreme Sailing Series Europe

Extreme Sailing Series Europe: Day 1 in Sète - Guichard on top, just!

At the resort of Sète on the south coast of France, the first event of the 2010 Extreme Sailing Series got underway today. There was sunshine and there was breeze, although it proved unreliable in both direction and strength but enough to see the Extreme 40 hulls flying and generating some great pace on the downwind legs


Groupe Edmond de Rotheschild, skippered by Yann Guichard, was first after the fírst day of racing. Image copyright Vincent Curutchet/DPPI/OC Events.

by Emily Caroe

At the resort of Sète on the south coast of France, the first event of the 2010 Extreme Sailing Series got underway today. There was sunshine and there was breeze, although it proved unreliable in both direction and strength but enough to see the Extreme 40 hulls flying and generating some great pace on the downwind legs.


The Wave, Muscat, as seen from ECOVER. Image copyright Vincent Curutchet/DPPI/OC Events.

The eight teams of world-class sporting calibre competed in three longer-course races on this non-public day here in Sète, allowing the teams to stretch their legs for the first time. It was not a perfect day to gauge the teams' form, and this was reflected in the varying results posted on the leaderboard.

Video of Yann Guichard on Day 1 in Sète:



Nonetheless, Yann Guichard's Groupe Edmond de Rothschild scored a 1st, 6th and 2nd to leave them top of the leaderboard.


The Ocean Racing Club, skippered by Mitch Booth, was second overall after three races on day one. Image copyright Vincent Curutchet/DPPI/OC Events.

Mitch Booth, co-creator of the Extreme 40 class and no stranger to this type of racing, put in a great performance on brand new entry The Ocean Racing Club with a 4th, 1st and 6th putting them in second place overall: "Yeah it was a difficult day, in a few races we were back but with those sort of conditions it's not over until it's over," he laughed. "We just kept fighting all day, trying to take every shift. We got a few lucky ones but a few unlucky ones too! But it was a good day we are pretty happy with the results, the teamwork is good, the boat speed is okay and we're looking forward to a good regatta."


First day of racing in Sète. Image copyright Vincent Curutchet/DPPI/OC Events.

Defending champions, Oman Sail Masirah, had a day of mixed fortunes benefiting from a major wind shift in race 1 to go from last to second! But their luck didn't hold and a 7th and 5th leaves them in 6th place on the overall leaderboard. The fastest man around the planet, Franck Cammas on his Groupama 40, scored a good victory in the final race today allowing them to scrape into third overall ahead of Paul Campbell-James' team on The Wave, Muscat.


Team GAC Pindar crossing Oman Sail Masirah. Image copyright Thierry Seray/DPPI/OC Events.

The Red Bull Extreme Sailing team were in the mix throughout the day, scoring a 3rd and a 2nd, but a disappointing last place in the final race dropped them into 5th place. Mike Golding's Ecover, now helmed by Leigh McMillan, were also in the fray but problems with their rudder kicking up, and staying up in race 2, cost them dearly. Rallying in the last race with a podium third-place, ensured they ticked off on of the team's objectives on day one.


Action on the first day of the Extreme Sailing Series Europe. Image copyright Vincent Curutchet/DPPI/OC Events.

Tomorrow will revert to the short, close combat racing this Extreme Sailing Series is renowned for to entertain the crowds here in Sète from Friday through to Sunday.


Groupe Edmond de Rotheschild, skippered by Yann Guichard, was first after the fírst day of racing. Image copyright Vincent Curutchet/DPPI/OC Events.

Extreme Sailing Series Europe

Finn World Masters: Maier extends lead with double win


Top mark rounding. Image copyright Tosca Zambra.

by Robert Deaves

In sharp contrast to previous days there was finally some solid wind at the Finn World Masters in Split, Croatia. Following two tough races with a 'Jugo' blowing up to 20 knots, Michael Maier (CZE) took a commanding lead after two emphatic race wins. Marco Buglielli (ITA) holds onto second place while defending champion Andre Budzien (GER) moves up to third.

The RC called the fleet out at 10:30 and tried to set the course Alpha just outside the harbour, but a 20+ wind and steep waves forced them to move the course to the protected channel between Ciovo island and the land.

The RED group had a clear start in 18 knots and almost everybody went to the right to Ciovo island, which proved to be the right choice.

John Mackie (GBR) led at the first mark in front of Cees Scheurwater (NED) and Armano Zekan (CRO), but Scheurwater found good gusts on the right of the outer loop downwind and rounded the bottom mark well ahead. On the second upwind the top mark was close to Marjan mountain and the situation became very tricky, with strong gusts, big lulls and 50 degrees shifts. A small group from the left corner gained about 30 boats, but Zekan, Mackie and John Heyes (GBR) managed to cross from the right and finished in this order.


Maier and Budzien. Image copyright Tosca Zambra.

Maier was sailing in the BLUE group and led from start to finish to win by a large margin, clearly enjoying the increased wind. Attila Szilvassy (HUN) trailed round behind him to place second while third place finally went to Andre Budzien (GER), climbing from sixth at the first mark.

Race five started with a shortened course which helped to avoid the influence of Marjan mountain on the outer loop.

BLUE group started first and again Maier led all the way to record his fourth win of the championship. Lars Hall (DEN) and Arwin Karssemeijer (NED) followed him round the top mark, but by the second upwind mark, Budzien had cruised into second place which he held to the finish, with Hall keeping his medal chances alive with a third.


Start of the Red fleet in race 4. Image copyright Tosca Zambra.

In the RED group Marc Allain des Beauvais (FRA) had a good fast start on port in the middle of the line and led the fleet to Ciovo island and round the top mark, followed by Zekan and Scheurwater. On the second upwind Scheurwater passed Allain des Beauvais and led to the finish, with Bas de Waal (NED) in second and Allain des Beauvais in third. Zekan capsized on the downwind and finally crossed in eighth place.

This leaves Maier with a seven point lead over Buglielli going into tomorrow's final two races. The much lighter Buglielli, who placed 11th in the first race, struggled in the windier conditions. He commented, "I had, as expected, a lack of speed upwind, and also very bad luck upwind in the outer loop in first race. But luckily all the top guys were in the Blue fleet."

Behind the leading pair, the fleet really mixed it up with just 10 points separating the next 10 boats. Third placed Michael Gubi (AUT) placed 21st and sixth to drop to seventh. The big climber of the day was defending champion André Budzien who moved up to third overall.


Michael Gubi. Image copyright Tosca Zambra.

Barring major mishaps, Maier looks set to take the title he last won in 2006, however the other medal places and top ten positions are still wide open.

In the Grand Masters fleet (50-59 years old) Buglielli is leading but both Gubi and Hall are within striking distance.

In the Grand Grand Masters (60-69 years old) Wouter Molenaar (NED) has a 12 point lead over Graeme Macdonald (GBR) and Luksa Cicarelli (CRO).

Richard Hart (GBR) is dominating the Legend category (70 years +) in 62nd place overall, some 70 points and 40 places clear of John Ulbrich (SUI) and Andras Schomer (HUN).


Peter Mosny. Image copyright Tosca Zambra.

The final two races are schedule for Friday. Follow the racing live through the event website at www.jklabud.hr/finn-world-masters-2010

Results after 5 races, one drop

1 CZE 1 Michael Maier 4
2 ITA 2 Marco Buglielli 11
3 GER 711 Andre Budzien 16
4 HUN 211 Attila Szilvassy 17
5 SVK 1 Peter Mosny 18
6 SUI 5 Christen Christoph 18
7 AUT 7 Michael Gubi 19
8 DEN 6 Lars Hall 20
9 GBR 2 Allen Burrell 23
10 CRO 6 Armano Zekan 25
11 NED 29 Bas de Waal 26
12 FRA 99 Marc Allain des Beauvais 32
13 HUN 7 Antal Szekel 33
14 AUS 3 Jake Gunther 33
15 GBR 65 David Potter 35
16 GBR 61 John Heyes 41
17 GBR 68 John Mackie 42
18 HUN 5 Zsombor Majthenyi 50
19 NED 27 Paul Kamphorst 51
20 ITA 4 Francesco Faggiani 52

Finn World Masters

Delta Lloyd Regatta: Finn European Champion Gaspic takes only race of the day


Finn fleet on day 2 of the Delta Lloyd Regatta. Image © Sander van der Borch.

by Robert Deaves

After a long wait all day for the other classes to finish and then for the wind to make a reappearance, the Finn fleet at the Delta Lloyd Regatta in Medemblik got in one early evening, testing race with 6-8 knots of wind and large shifts.

Ivan Kljakovic Gaspic (CRO), the European Champion, took the race win from class newcomer Vasilij Zbogar (SLO) and Gasper Vincec (SLO).

Gaspic said, "It was not easy but fun. Before the start it was very light and puffy. We didn't want to start but then within 3 minutes of starting the wind started to fill in. The wind had shifted totally right so I figured that we had to go left. That's why I went left and it paid off. I just had to play the shifts and the pressure."


Ivan Kljakovic Gaspic. Image © Sander van der Borch.

Rafal Szukiel (POL) finished 21st. He said, "I started on the right hand side with Rafa and Zach. We were right but centred in the middle. With these shifts I didn't want to be stuck on one side. But the wind started to shift left and kept going. Bambi was the most on the left and took the lead quickly. By the top mark the wind had turned 60 degrees and then 90. We ended up beating to the bottom mark."

The top two from yesterday, Rafa Trujillo (ESP) and Zach Railey (USA) didn't fare any better finishing one place either side of the Pole. Railey said, "There were huge shifts and major pressure differences in the race today and it did not go my way."

Young and old

Sailing his first major regatta of the year is the young Jorge Zarif (BRA), who last year won the Silver Cup (Junior World Championship) on Lake Bataton. He placed 13th in the race and said, " I prefer these conditions than yesterday. It reminds me of Balaton. Light and shifty."

One slightly older face at Medemblik this year is the 1996 Finn Bronze medalist Roy Heiner (NED). After jumping back into a Finn at the 2009 Dutch Open, he won the event and is now back for more. `Once a Finn sailor, always a Finn sailor!`


Roy Heiner. Image © Sander van der Borch.

He said, "I hadn't touched a Finn since the last race in Savannah that gave me the Bronze medal. I was not sure what to expect but it all came back to me, in fact it was still in me. The mechanism, the sensations, the feel for the boat... actually Finn sailing is far more enjoyable nowadays: no weight jacket, softer hull, the boat is more lively, easier to sail and so much fun. I enjoyed so much sailing the Finn at the Dutch Open that I couldn't resist coming and racing here. Of course the level is much higher and I have no idea if I will be competitive. I am not a fast sailor, I am tactical, I love racing but I need much more training. The downwind techniques have evolved and I am slow especially when it is light."

Reflecting on his comeback to Olympic sailing, he said, "Hard to say now. I have to see how I sail against the new generation. Surely the Finn remains an amazing boat to sail. It is easy and fun." Heiner currently sits in 39th place in a fleet of 61.

The Delta Lloyd Regatta continues to Sunday 30th May when the medal races will be held.

Results after three races

1 CRO524 Ivan, Kljakovic Gaspic 10
2 GBR Edward, Wright 15
3 SLO5 Gasper, Vincec 22
4 ESP100 Rafael, Trujillo 23
5 CRO25 Marin, Misura 23
6 USA4 Zach, Railey 28
7 GBR41 Giles, Scott 31
8 SLO573 Vasilij, Zbogar 32
9 GER771 Jan, Kurfeld 37
10 FIN218 Tapio, Nirkko 37

Finn Class
Delta Lloyd Regatta

Delta Lloyd Regatta: Light winds cause interuptions to racing for the New Zealand Team


Men's RS:X fleet start. Image copyright Thom Touw.

Racing at 2010 Delta Lloyd Regatta in Medemblik, the Netherlands ran through until late evening after interruptions during the day when the light breeze collapsed

by Jodie Bakewell-White

“Today the shifting wind conditions didn't make life easy for the sailors. We're hoping for better sailing conditions tomorrow,” reports Corimnne McKenzie.

In the Men’s RS:X fleet just one race was possible. Jon-Paul Tobin, sailing for New Zealand, recorded a ninth and sits in eighth place overall at the end of day two. He is the best placed of the four New Zealand entries competing.

First on the schedule for day two of the five day series the 49er fleet managed two races in the challenging conditions. Kiwis Peter Burling and Blair Tuke started with a solid seventh, and then placed 17th in the second race of the day.

They now drop their worst race score and shuffle two places up the leader board to hold 14th place in the standings.

Stephanie Hazard, Jenna Hansen and Samantha Osborne sailed three races today to complete the Group C round robin in the Women’s Match Racing event. They took a win from the Croatian team helmed by Tadinac, but lost to Team GBR’s Rook and to Echegoyen of Spain. The kiwis finished in sixth position in their group.

In the Women’s RS:X Natalia Kosinska is lying 27th in the fleet of 60.

Racing resumes tomorrow. Sailors and organisers are hoping for more consistent breeze for day three of the ISAF Sailing World Cup Regatta.

New Zealand’s Current Standings after day two
For full results see the regatta website

49er (Total fleet 72)
14th Peter Burling and Blair Tuke – 41 points (5, 27, 5, 7, 7, 17)

Women’s Match Racing (Total fleet 24)
Stephanie Hazard, Jenna Hansen and Sam Osborne – Group C Round Robin 2 wins/5 losses

Men’s RS:X (Total fleet 100)
8th Jon-Paul Tobin – 27 points (7, 5, 6, 9)

Women’s RS:X (Total fleet 60)
27th Natalia Kosinska - 108 points (27, 22, 34, 25)

Yachting New Zealand
Delta Lloyd Regatta

Delta Lloyd Regatta: Light wind delays second racing day Delta Lloyd Regatta 2010




Eivin Melleby and Petter Morland Pedersen (NOR) lead the Star fleet. Image copyright Thom Touw.

by Corinne McKenzie

It was a very long day in Medemblik, during the second day of the Delta Lloyd Regatta 2010. As expected the wind remained light during the morning before dying totally. While the Star class was the only one to finish the two programmed races, the Laser radial and the 470 men could only complete two races. The other fleets waited on the water attempting to start before being sent back to shore.

The faith and patience of the racing committee paid its dividend, the wind finally reappeared from the North West allowing for racing to resume for the other classes expect for the 2.4.

The different conditions saw a change of leader in half of the classes, while the others have increased their lead.

Star

Eivin Melleby and Petter Morland Pedersen have increased their lead on the Star fleet after winning a race and placing second. Mateusz Kusznierewicz and Dominik Zycki (POL) are now on equal points with last race winner Mate Arapov and Ante Sitic from Croatia.

Laser

Only one race was sailed in the Laser who will continue their qualifications round tomorrow. Mattias del Solar (CHI) takes the lead after placing third. Javier Hernandez takes second overall after adding 20 points to his score. Tom Slingsby loses a place to third.

The day's only race goes to Roelof Bouwmeester (Marit's brother) who climbs to 6th overall.

Laser Radial

Marit Bouwmeester added a third victory to her score in the day's first race increasing her overall lead over Veronika Fenclova (CZE) and last race winner, Evi van Acker (BEL). Tina Mihelic (CRO), discards her earlier disqualification at the start and climb to fourth overall. 'I have had problems with my starts. I broke the start twice in Hyčres and once again yesterday! But today I was careful and it went well." With top 4 results, the young Croat is in good form and could soon challenge the top three. 'I am fast downwind, I always pass a few boats." When asked about her objectives on this regatta, the Trofeo Sofia Mapfre winner explains: 'I am testing new equipment and my speed before the European championship."

470 Men

The dying wind created many upset among the 470's Blue group; only 12 boats could finish the fifth race within the time limit, leaving 29 teams with a DNF. With the regrouping tonight into Gold and Silver finals, this last race will have a strong impact on the regatta.

Nic Asher and Elliott Willis (GBR) are keeping the lead over Gideon Kliger and Eran Sela (ISR) and French Pierre Leboucher / Vincent Garos.

470 Women

Hannah Mills and Claire Cumming are the new leader of the 470 women fleet. 'I think it was a day to be punchy at the corners rather than conservative in the middle as the wind seemed to fill back in towards the edges of the course - and also, when you had a lane and saw pressure ahead just to stick with it. I think that's what worked well for us today." explained Mills. The best results today go to Danish duo of Henriette Koch and Lene Sommer who take second overall after a 4th and a first.

Finn

One race was raced in the Finn in light and shifty wind. European Champion Ivan Kljakovic Gaspic (CRO) won the race and takes the lead from Rafael Trujillo who finished in 20th place and drops to fourth. Second place overall is Miami OCR and Trofeo Sofia Mapfre winner, Ed Wright (ESP). 'The wind had gone right before the start" explains Gaspic. 'For me it was obvious it had to go back to the left so I took this option. I took the shift had got to the top mark in first. The wind kept turning and we had to beat to the second mark." It was a hard race because we had to play the shifts and the puffs but it was great fun!"

49er

Nico Delle-Karth and Nikolaus Resch take the lead in the 49ers with a safety 11 points margin over Dylan Fletcher and Alan Sign (GBR) on equal points with Manu Dyen/Stéphane Christidis (FRA) and the Riegel brothers from Germany. The 49ers will start to race in Gold and Silver fleets on Friday.

RS:X

Blanca Manchon is keeping the lead in the strong RS:X women fleet. Australian Jessica Crisp is winning the day's race. Piotr Myszka (POL) and Maksym Oberemko (UKR) won the Men's races. Nimrod Mashiah keeps a narrow lead over Alexandre Guyader and Nick Dempsey.

Women Match racing

It took all day to conclude the Match racing Opening series. Ekaterina Skudina and her team have been steadily improving since the start of the year. They have won all their matches in the Delta Lloyd regatta opening series and qualify into the Gold Round robin with Sofia Bekatorou from Greece with in the other groups, Anna Kjellberg (SWE), Lucy MacGregor (GBR), Anne-Claire Leberre (FRA) and Renee Goeneveld (NED). The teams qualified for the Repechage are: Ru Wang from China, Julie Bossard (FRA), Katie Spithill (AUS), Nicky Souter (AUS), Mary Rook (GBR) and Tamara Echegoyen (ESP).

The Match racing has started on Friday morning at 9:30 am.

The wind is about 7 knots in the morning and is expected to increase up to 17 knots in the afternoon.

Delta Lloyd Regatta

Rolex Capri Sailing Week: Magnifica Capri!


JETHOU and ALEGRE. Image copyright ROLEX/Carlo Borlenghi.

by Emanuela di Mundo

Faraglioni is considered to be one of the most natural wonders in all of Italy. Today, the competitors taking part in Rolex Capri Sailing Week were treated to a close encounter with the rock formations that are famous throughout the world. Nicknamed, Stella, Mezzo and Scopolo, the three magnificent limestone stacks mark the location of the first Roman port for Capri. The Capresi consider that passing through the archway under Mezzo brings good luck and many married couples venture there after they have taken their vows.

On day two of Rolex Capri Sailing Week the race committee set a course of about 30 miles for the Mini Maxi fleet. The big boat class was powering through the start line bound at top speed towards Faraglioni, on their way to Ischia. Hiking hard to windward, the crew were coaxing every ounce of speed, to make it to the top mark.

Brian Benjamin’s Maxi Dolphin Aegir got off to a flying start, but the powerful sleek silver hull of Andres Soriano’s Alegre soon took up the running. Alegre was first to round the mark off Faraglioni. Accelerating downwind, the spray was exploding over the bow as they hoisted their gossamer white spinnaker but the race was far from won, as Andres Soriano explains.


Faraglioni, welcomes the competitors. Image copyright ROLEX/Carlo Borlenghi.

“That was a tough race today, on the first beat we saw gusts of up to 18 knots and on the first run Jethou could get up on the plane sooner than us, so they were a real handful. Later on we had four big transitions in the wind, and as we were out in front, Alegre was a great indicator of things to come for the competition. We had to keep our heads out of the boat to make the right calls, especially on sail changes. Towards the end, the wind really started to fade and there were windless traps all over the racecourse. We hoisted our bowman, Mark Bartlett, up the mast as a wind seeker and Jethou was closing on us bringing more breeze, but we managed to hold on.”

In the Mylius Class, sailing a 18 nm coastal race, there was a fascinating battle between two of the all carbon fibre development class boats: Luciano Gandini’s Twin Soul 5 and Vincenzo Addessi’s Fra Diavolo were locked in a duel along the coast of Capri. No quarter was given by either as they competed for first place. Approaching Faraglioni, Fra Diavolo was behind but by less than a boat length. As the wind moderated and changed direction approaching the top mark, Fra Diavolo hoisted their Code Zero, in an attempt to pass.

Fra Diavoli’s tactician, Paulo Scutellaro, formerly team manager for the Mascalzone America’s Cup team, explains: “We made a mistake with our Code Zero which allowed Twin Soul 5 to pass us. Racing in the Mylius is very close, the boats are nearly identical which means that we have a good battle on the water. The owner and driver Vincenzo Addessi is a real fighter and we are very happy to be winning for the moment but there is still a lot of racing to be done.”

Vincenzo Addessi is a passionate Neapolitan and named his boat after Michele Pezza, a famous guerrilla leader who resisted the French occupation of Naples during the late 18th century. Pezza was an inspirational leader and Addessi is much the same. He is the Commodore of the Gaeta Yacht Club in Naples, which is twinned with the Yacht Club Capri.


FRAL 2, Alessandro Nespega and the Faraglionis in the background. Image copyright ROLEX/Carlo Borlenghi.

In the Comet Class – racing the same course as the Mylius - Alessandro Nespega’s Fral 2 continued their consistent form and after five races lead the class by five points from Marco Franco’s Libertine. The I.Nova Sailing Team from Milan with their boat I.Nova had an excellent day, scoring two podium finishes, to claim third place overnight.

Both, the Comet and the Mylius class sailed an additional windward-leeward race.
The X-41 Class have completed six races – all windward-leeward - and two of the one design boats are on equal points. Pasquale Orofino’s Raffica and Gianclaudio Bassetti’s WB Five. Giovanni Arturo di Lorenzo’s Malafemmena is in third place overall.

Filippo Petrucci, meteorologist for the Italian Air Force, predicts lighter wind for tomorrow, possibly with some additional breeze in the Strait between Capri and the mainland. After two days of excellent sailing conditions and a variety of courses, all classes are expected to be racing tactical windward leeward races tomorrow.

Provisional Standings at end of Day 2
Place, Boat Name, Owner, Nation, R's-Points

Mini Maxi
1. ALEGRE Andres Soriano GBR, 1-1-1-1-4.00
2. JETHOU Sir Peter Ogden GBR, 3-2-2-2-9.00
3. AEGIR Brian Benjamin GBR, 2-3-3-5(DNF)-13.00

COMET
1. FRAL 2 Alessandro Nespega ITA, 1-2-1-1-2-7.00
2. LIBERTINE Marco Franco ITA, 2-4-2-3-1-12.00
3. I.NOVA I.Nova Sailing Team ITA, 4-1-6-2-3-16.00

X-41
1. RAFFICA Pasquale Orofino ITA, 3-1-1-2-4-1-12.00
2. WB FIVE Gianclaudio Bassetti ITA, 1-2-3-3-1-2-12.00
3. MALAFEMMENA Giovanni Arturo di Lorenzo ITA, 2-3-2-4-2-7-20.00

Mylius
1. FRA DIAVOLO Vincenzo Addessi ITA, 1-2-1-2-2-8.00
2. PITHECUSA Vincenzo De Blasio ITA, 3-1-3-3-3-13.00
3. TWIN SOUL 5, Luciano Gandini ITA, 4-3-2-1-4-14.00

Rolex Capri Sailing Week

LVT: Azzurra Concedes Point to Emirates Team New Zealand




Azzurra vs. Emirates Team New Zealand. Image copyright Stefano Gattini/Azzurra.

by Jill Campbell

Azzurra, the Italian team representing the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda at the Louis Vuitton Trophy, competed in their fifth race today against Emirates Team New Zealand. The Italian crew, helmed by Francesco Bruni with Tommaso Chieffi calling tactics, took an early lead but at the finish line trailed the New Zealand team by 13 seconds. With five races disputed out of the nine scheduled in this first round robin phase, Azzurra sits on two points.

Today’s match was an eagerly awaited one given both teams’ previous form: Azzurra defeated the kiwis 2-0 in the finals of the first Louis Vuitton Trophy event in Nice while Emirates Team New Zealand took overall victory in the event held in Auckland in March. Azzurra started well in 12-14 knots of wind to gain the pin end and lead Emirates, helmed by Dean Barker, by as much as 70 metres in the first windward beat.

On the approach to the mark Azzurra misjudged the distance between the boats and tacked short of the mark allowing New Zealand to take steal into the lead and round 13 seconds ahead of the Italians. Barker stretched ahead in the following two legs and won comfortably despite a very fast final downwind leg by Azzurra which allowed them to recuperate significantly.


Azzurra vs. Emirates Team New Zealand. Image copyright Stefano Gattini/Azzurra.

Tactician Tommaso Chieffi explained what went wrong today: “ At the start both teams fought hard for the pin and we managed to get it. Francesco Bruni helmed well, Barker tried to defend but in the end had to give in. For two thirds of the upwind leg we didn’t cross, we waited and approximately one minute from the lay line the shift to port arrived and we were able to cross. The race seemed pretty much in the bag, but then I made a mistake: I thought there was enough space to tack twice but there wasn’t. “

Riccardo Bonadeo, President of Team Azzurra and Commodore of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, watched today’s race from one of the YCCS support ribs: “Azzurra sailed a great race against what is undoubtedly one of the best teams in the world. The New Zealand team showed that they are experts in this complex discipline. Azzurra’s crew pulled off a splendid start and fought well on the first upwind leg but then Barker was able to slip in at the first mark rounding: a great display of strength, power and ability from Grant Dalton’s team.”

In the other races of the day Emirates Team New Zealand defeated Aleph, Team Origin defeated Synergy Russian Sailing Team and Artemis - skippered by Paul Cayard - suffered their first defeat of the series at the hands of Mascalzone Latino Audi. Synergy Russian Sailing Team took victory over Aleph and Luna Rossa defeated America’s Cup defender BMW Oracle Racing.

Tomorrow Azzurra will meet Team Origin, skippered by Ben Ainslie, in the fifth of six scheduled flights. The forecast is for west north-westerly winds of approximately 10 to 14 knots.

Azzurra
Louis Vuitton Trophy

LVT: ARTEMIS tied with Emirates Team NZ for 1st



by Paul Cayard

On ARTEMIS, we headed into today undefeated with four wins, having been at the top of the scoreboard for the last two days. A nice, but precarious position to be in with the best sailing teams in the world racing here in La Maddalena.

Emirates Team New Zealand, winners of the last Louis Vuitton Trophy were first up this morning winning their two races back to back against AZZURRA followed by ALEPH.

In race three it was Ben Ainslie and his team onboard TEAMORIGIN against the Russians on SYNERGY. In a tight fought match, it was the Brits who prevailed, winning by just 6 seconds.

Our race against Mascalzone Latino got underway at 1415, with a wind transition coming down the course. Gavin Brady, Skipper of Mascalzone Latino, wanted the left and we were happy with "wide right" as the right side of the line was favored. As we both headed back up to the Committee Boat end of the line we were overlapped to windward. The wind went even further right which further favored the right side but it was too much of a good thing as we found ourselves on the lay line to the committee boat. When the gun went off, both of us were at a stand still right next to the committee boat with Mascalzone Latino able to peel away and accelerate off the line.

By the time we got to the top of the course, the wind was gusting up to 20 knots and had actually gone 40 degrees back to the left. Mascalzone rounded with a nice gybe set and we planned to do the same. Unfortunately, our kite snagged on something and as soon as it filled...it exploded! We all carry a back up spinnaker onboard, but in the time it took to recover the halyard and hoist the new spinnaker, Mascalzone were well out in front. They sailed conservatively for the rest of the race and finished 46 seconds ahead of us.

In the fifth match of the day the Russians in Synergy defeated the French of Aleph. In the sixth race BMW Oracle faced Luna Rossa and this race went to the Italians.

Torbjorn Tornqvist, the chairman of ARTEMIS arrives tonight. We are all looking forward to seeing him and having him sail with the team for the next couple of days. I'm off to the gym.

To watch the racing live visit www.artemisracing.com and for complete results visit www.louisvuittontrophy.com

Friday 28 May 2010

LVT: Sweden and New Zealand are tied at La Maddalena



Emirates Team New Zealand won two races today at the Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena to end the day first equal on points with Sweden's Artemis, each with 4-1 records


Louis Vuitton Trophy, La Maddalena, Italy, May 22nd-June 6th 2010. Day6, © Bob Grieser/outsideimages.co.nz/Louis Vuitton Trophy.

by Peter Rusch

In other competition the Swedish boat skippered by Paul Cayard and steered by Terry Hutchinson lost today, the first time since the regatta in Sardinia started.

Crews in the ten international teams spent another long day on the water with the first race starting soon after 0900 and the last not finishing until 1730. There was wind all day from the west, shifty and with big speed changes on different parts of the course. There were gusts up to 20 knots near the weather mark.


Louis Vuitton Trophy, La Maddalena, Italy, May 22nd-June 6th 2010. Day6. Dean Barker at the helm of Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), © Bob Grieser/outsideimages.co.nz/Louis Vuitton Trophy.

The shape of the scoreboard changed in the first four races as the Kiwis, third equal yesterday with two points, deftly dispatched Azzurra and then ALEPH Sailing Team to claim second place. In the fourth race Mascalzone Latino trounced Artemis to advance Team New Zealand to first equal.

“It was tough losing a race to Luna Rossa (on Tuesday) but losses sometimes help kick-start the team and make us realize we’ve always got things to work on. I think we’ve been sailing a lot better since that race,” said Dean Barker, skipper and helmsman of Team New Zealand.

Mascalzone Latino slammed the door on Artemis with a strategy the Italian team had been refining for some time. “The guys on the boat made a great call for the left side and Gavin did a beautiful job of executing that,” said tactician Morgan Larson. “We spent a lot of time this morning talking about Terry Hutchinson’s weaknesses in the prestart. I think Gavin exploited that weakness. It was very close. Terry was really close to getting an overlap with us that would have shifted everything. If they got an overlap they would have got the left and probably won the race.”


Louis Vuitton Trophy, La Maddalena, Italy, May 22nd-June 6th 2010. Day6. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) vs Azurra (ITA), © Bob Grieser/outsideimages.co.nz/Louis Vuitton Trophy.

Flight Sixteen, Race Two: Emirates Team New Zealand def Azzurra 00:13
Francesco Bruni steering Azzura gauged his start perfectly at the pin with speed. ETNZ on his hip was forced to tack away. The leg and the race belonged to Bruni but approaching the weather mark on port and leading, the Italians tacked short of the mark and opened the way for ETNZ to seize the starboard tack advantage, slip inside and hold their opponents out. The surprising reversal put the Kiwis 13 seconds ahead and they consolidated from there on.


Louis Vuitton Trophy, La Maddalena, Italy, May 22nd-June 6th 2010. Day6. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) vs ALEPH Sailing Team (FRA), © Bob Grieser/outsideimages.co.nz/Louis Vuitton Trophy.

Flight Six, Race One: Emirates Team New Zealand def ALEPH Sailing Team 00:29
ETNZ dominated an initial race which was abandoned near the top mark due to a mark positioning error. The new start was initally a mirror of the first, a long starboard tack with ETNZ on ALEPH’s hip, until the French forced them to tack. However the Kiwis had the power of the right and forced the persistently-clinging French team away as they carried ALEPH above the weather mark for a seven second delta at the top mark.


Louis Vuitton Trophy, La Maddalena, Sardegna-Race day six and TeamOrigin had a close battle with Synergy as they beat to the weather mark and a downwind run with TeamOrigin spilling the spinnaker all over the deck, © Bob Grieser/ousideimages.co.nz/Louis Vuitton Trophy.

Flight Fifteen, Race Two: TEAMORIGIN def Synergy Russian Sailing Team, 00:06
ORIGIN was bow-out in mid-line at the start with Synergy close to the committee boat. The Russians hung tough on the starboard tack but were forced away after two minutes. They led approaching the starboard layline, only to drop back in a left shift that put Ainslie ahead by 14 seconds at the top mark. The boats rounded opposite leeward marks. ORIGIN conceded valuable seconds as the gennaker went under the bow but held a handy lead.

Flight Fourteen, Race One: Mascalzone Latino def Artemis, 00:46
Gavin Brady the Kiwi skipper of the Latin Rascals destroyed the perfect record of Sweden’s Artemis with a king-hit before the start. He locked out Sweden’s Terry Hutchinson on port tack before the gun, with both boats stalled below the line. Brady tacked, and got away first to lead at speed by 26 metres and pull away. The Italian boat was 22 seconds ahead at the top mark as the breeze built to 20 knots. Artemis set off on pursuit only to see their gennaker explode as they settled into the first run. Mascalzone sailed away.


Louis Vuitton Trophy, La Maddalena, Italy, May 22nd-June 6th 2010. Race Day 6. Artemis' (SWE) crew pull in the exploded kite, © Paul Todd/outsideimages.co.nz/Louis Vuitton Trophy.

Flight Sixteen, Race One: Synergy Russian Sailing Team def ALEPH Sailing Team, 00:33
Karol Jablonski won the start as both boats sailed slowly up to the committee boat on port. Jablonski tacked and sailed Synergy off the line at speed while Pacé was slow to tack ALEPH and follow. ALEPH drew level close to the top mark but Jablonski had starboard tack advantage and was nine seconds in front at the top mark.


Day 6, Luna Rossa (ITA), © Paul Todd/outsideimages.co.nz/Louis Vuitton Trophy.

Flight 22, Race One, Luna Rossa def BMW Oracle Racing, 00:22
This was a comprehensive victory for the Italians. They started at opposite ends of the line with Luna Rossa near the committee boat. James Spithill and BMW Oracle Racing got off the line faster near the pin but only enjoyed their lead for a few seconds. The Italian boat steered by Ed Baird was in better breeze and sailed steadily away from James Spithill and Oracle. Close to the port layline when Luna Rossa on starboard crossed ahead of her opponent, the Americans were 220 metres dead astern. They made subsequent gains but finished 50 metres back.

Provisional win-loss leaderboard after Thursday racing

=1. Artemis, 4-1, 4 points
=1. Emirates Team New Zealand, 4-1, 4 points

=3. Mascalzone Latino Audi Team, 4-1, 3 points *

=3. All4One, 3-3, 3 points

=3. Synergy Russian Sailing Team, 3-3, 3 points
=3. TEAMORIGIN, 3-3, 3 points
=7. Azzurra, 2-3, 2 points

=7. Luna Rossa, 2-5, 2 points
=9. BMW Oracle Racing Team, 1-4, 1 point
=10. ALEPH Sailing Team, 2-4, -2 points *

* Penalties deducted by Jury/Umpires

Louis Vuitton Trophy