Louis Vuitton Act 10 - Day 6 - Flight 10

Emirates Team New Zealand - Luna Rossa: 0 - 1

The first of the three giant clashes of the day was marked by very close racing and a second gear failure for Emirates Team New Zealand in as many important matches. The Kiwi challenger about halfway through the second leg and while were having a small lead, ripped their spinnaker that fell on the Italian boat, resulting in a penalty. At the bottom mark the Italians were leading by just 6 seconds and the race was neck and neck as the teams approached the top mark. Luna Rossa rounded just 5 seconds ahead of Emirates Team New Zealand. The Kiwis stayed very close to the Italians, but with a penalty to offload they finished 1:08 minutes behind.

Luna Rossa and Emirates Team New Zealand racing in the sixth day of Louis Vuitton Act 10. Valencia, 16 May 2006. Photo copyright: Simon Palfrader / Luna Rossa

Luna Rossa and Emirates Team New Zealand racing in the sixth day of Louis Vuitton Act 10. Valencia, 16 May 2006. Photo copyright: Simon Palfrader / Luna Rossa

BMW Oracle - Desafío Español 2007: 1 - 0

It was not an easy race for BMW Oracle as the Spanish challenger fought every second of it, even leading in some parts. BMW Oracle gained an early lead at the start but Desafío Español managed to reach them. At the top mark, the Americans are 4 seconds ahead, but in the next two legs both teams change positions. Finally, at the second windward mark the Americans get ahead and manage to build an advantage during the last leg, finishing 27 seconds ahead.

BMW Oracle and Desafío Español racing in the sixth day of Louis Vuitton Act 10. Valencia, 16 May 2006. Photo copyright: Nico Martinez / Desafío Español

BMW Oracle and Desafío Español racing in the sixth day of Louis Vuitton Act 10. Valencia, 16 May 2006. Photo copyright: Gilles Martin-Raget / BMW Oracle

Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team - Shosholoza: 1 - 0

It was another very interesting race further down the score table and the first of the day's two wins for the Italian team. Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team took the early lead in the prestart by going to the left and managed to increase the lead till the first mark. Rounding 14 seconds ahead of the South Africans, the Italians kept the leadership in the second leg, but approaching the gate made the tremendous tactical errorof rounding the left buoy, giving Shosholoza the opportunity to start the third leg ahead of them and round the top mark 9 seconds earlier. In a change of fortunes though and in a very close fourth leg, the Italians pass in front at the end, 15 seconds ahead.

Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team and Team Shosholoza racing in the sixth day of Louis Vuitton Act 10. Valencia, 16 May 2006. Photo copyright: Marco Trovati / Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team

Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team and Team Shosholoza racing in the sixth day of Louis Vuitton Act 10. Valencia, 16 May 2006. Photo copyright: Marco Trovati / Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team

Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team and Team Shosholoza racing in the sixth day of Louis Vuitton Act 10. Valencia, 16 May 2006. Photo copyright: Marco Trovati / Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team

Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team and Team Shosholoza racing in the sixth day of Louis Vuitton Act 10. Valencia, 16 May 2006. Photo copyright: Marco Trovati / Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team

Alinghi - Victory Challenge: 1 - 0

The Defender of the 32nd America's Cup didn't have any problem at all in their race against the Swedish challenger. Victory Challenge crossed the start line first, although at much lower speed, but could not hold on their lead at all. Since early in the first leg Alinghi started building up their lead against the Swedes, increasing in every mark. The Swiss won the race very easilly, finishing 2:38 minutes ahead of the Swedes.

Alinghi and Victory Challenge racing in the sixth day of Louis Vuitton Act 10. Valencia, 16 May 2006. Photo copyright: Ivo Rovira / Alinghi

China Team - Areva Challenge: 0 - 1

The Chinese team did not really expect to pose any threat to Areva Challenge. In addition, the Chinese team crossed the start line too early had to restart and never got close to the French challenger. Areva Challenge finished 1:48 minutes ahead of China Team.

Areva Challenge and China Team racing in the sixth day of Louis Vuitton Act 10. Valencia, 16 May 2006. Photo copyright: Patrick Grippe / China Team

+39 Challenge - United Internet Team Germany: 1 - 0

Although closer to the bottom of the score table, this race did not lack interest and provided some of the day's most exciting sailing action. Iain Percy, helmsman of +39, and Ian walker, tactician of the team, once again proved their excellent skills, despite racing with one of the oldest and most problematic boats herre in Valencia.

The Italian team got off the start line first and at a faster speed, allowing them to build a good gain in the first leg and round the top mark 18 seconds ahead of the Germans. That's were problems started hitting the Italians and problems with their spinnaker gave Germans the opportunity to pass and take the lead. Once again , excellent tactics from Ian Walker gave Italians back the lead, that were 4 seconds ahead at the gate. In the third leg, +39 accelerated and were 41 seconds ahead of the Germans at the top mark. After rounding, problems hit again and +39 had to cut the jib. Despite this, United Internet Team Germany could not catch up and finished 38 seconds behind the Italians.