Louis Vuitton Act 10 - Day 5 - Flight 8

Victory Challenge - +39 Challenge: 1 - 0

Undoubtedly, it was the race of this flight or even of the day. Both Magnus Holmberg and Iain Percy showed their excellent skills in a nailbiting race. +39 Challenge took the early lead in prestart and crossed the start line 5 seconds ahead of the Swedes. Nevertheless, Magnus Holmberg's helmsmanship proved too difficult for the Italians who had to round the first mark 13 seconds behind Victory Challenge. The fight was very close for the rest of the race but the Swedes were able to hold their, albeit slim, advantage. Breaking their jib at the end of the third flight did not discourage them and held on to finish 15 seconds ahead of +39 Challenge. As the Italians stated their old boat drags them as if they had stones on their feet.

With this win, Victory Challenge, consolidated their fifth place overall, one point behind the Big Four and one point ahead of the spanish team.

Victory Challenge and +39 Challenge racing in the fifth day of Louis Vuitton Act 10. Despite their broken jib, the Swedes managed to win the race. Valencia, 15 May 2006. Photo copyright: Sally Collison / Victory Challenge

Victory Challenge and +39 Challenge racing in the fifth day of Louis Vuitton Act 10. Valencia, 15 May 2006. Photo copyright: Sally Collison / Victory Challenge

China Team - BMW Oracle: 0 - 1

As it was surely expected, the race was just a simple formality for the American team. Chris Dickson widely outmaneuvered the Chinese in prestart, who also crossed the start line early and had to return to cross again. From their on the Challenger of Record just kept piling up seconds and minutes of lead and finished four and a half minutes ahead of the Chinese.

United Internet Team Germany - Desafío Español: 0 - 1

The Spanish America's Cup challenger, fortunately, did not repeat their prestart errors from the previous days and even played it safe as the Germans crossed the start line 11 seconds ahead. Karol Jablonski, helmsman of the Spanish syndicate, sailed to the left side of the course and benefited from stronger winds which allowed te spanish to round the first mark 14 seconds ahead of the Germans. Although United Internet Team Germany sailed very well and kept the pressure on Desafio Espanol, they could not overtake the Spanish who crossed the finish line 20 seconds ahead.

This victory gave the Spanish a point that allowed them to stay close to Victory Challenge and distance themselves from the rest of the trailing teams.

Desafío Español 2007 and United Internet Team Germany racing in the fifth day of Louis Vuitton Act 10. Valencia, 15 May 2006. Photo copyright: Nico Martinez / Desafío Español 2007