by Lisa Ramsperger
With finishes in eighth and seventh place, HS Racing continued their improving performance off Naples, Italy, to move into eighth spot in the interim standings in the America’s Cup World Series. Before the first race the U.S.-flagged boat hit an accompanying vessel with the days‘ races attracting some 100,000 fans eager for a glimpse of some of sport‘s biggest stars on the sun-drenched Italian coast.
“It all went well apart from one mistake in each race,” said HS Racing skipper Roman Hagara. “That we also had to sail with a hole in the hull did not make matters easier, even though it was above the water level.” Hagara, who sailed like a podium contender in the first race, saw HS Racing in third place halfway through until their maneuver around the buoy cost them five spots.
A good start put HS Racing in the middle of the pack in the second race but again they lost ground after a penalty. “We did not falter and worked our way back into the leading group,” said a visibly satisfied tactician Hans-Peter Steinacher. “Today we looked pretty good out there but the whole package is still not right.“ Shortly before the finish Hagara even managed to move ahead of team colleagues Slingsby on ORACLE TEAM USA as well as France’s Energy Team. “There was enough space,” said Hagara with a grin, after the narrow maneuver cost his team a penalty.
Emirates Team New Zealand is leading after three of four days, ahead of ORACLE TEAM USA Slingsby and JP Morgan Ainslie Racing. Local favorites and America’s Cup challenger Luna Rossa and Artemis Racing are in fourth and sixth place respectively.
There will be a super-fleet race (40 mins) on Sunday as well as the match race final. Start time is 1500 local time. All races are live on www.redbull.com
The U.S.-flagged HS Racing is competing in Naples for the Golden Gate Yacht Club (San Francisco). This was made possible through a partnership with ORACLE TEAM USA. HS Racing has been integrated into the Naples base of the America’s Cup defender.
Red Bull
ORACLE TEAM USA
America's Cup
