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Image copyright ORACLE TEAM USA/ Olaf Pignataro
by Lisa Ramsperger
Newcomers HS Racing shrugged off a material disadvantage to improve on the second day of the America’s Cup World Series 2013 off the coast of Naples, Italy, finishing sixth and eighth on the day’s races.
Roman Hagara’s team kept pace with the top teams at the start and rounded the buoy in top position both times. But they ran out of speed in the downwind leg, struggling with their year-old gennaker. HS partner team ORACLE TEAM USA Slingsby are ahead after two days, with Energy Team (FRA) in second place.
Image copyright ORACLE TEAM USA/ Olaf Pignataro
“We are very satisfied with the second day. We had very good starts and outstanding communication on the boat,” said skipper Roman Hagara. “Even our maneuvres were superior. We felt really good out there.” But a material disadvantage cost them considerable speed and spoiled a potential surprise.
“Our gennaker is a year old,” said tactician Hans-Peter Steinacher. “We never expected the loss of speed would be that big. Even if we round the buoy ahead of Emirates Team NZL and Ben Ainslie Racing, we still have a speed disadvantage on the long course. The wardrobe just doesn’t fit.”
In their match race quarter-final HS Racing had to settle for a place behind ORACLE TEAM USA. “We worked our way back despite a penalty at the start but in the downwind leg we just lacked speed. It was still huge fun,” Hagara said.
Image copyright ORACLE TEAM USA/ Olaf Pignataro
With two more days of racing left, ORACLE TEAM USA Slingsby leads the standings, ahead of Energy Team and Emirates Team New Zealand. Local favorites and America´s Cup Challenger Luna Rossa and Artemis Racing are fifth and seventh.
Saturday will see the match race semi-finals and two more fleet races with local start time at 1405. All races are live on www.redbull.com
America's Cup
