Louis Vuitton Act 11 - Race 5: Challenger rankings face upheaval at the top

The closing fleet race scheduled for Sunday will not only provide another opportunity to watch exciting sailing action off Valencia's coast but could create a very tight situation at the top of the Challenger Ranking table, with a virtual tie among the Big Three.

So far in Louis Vuitton Act 11, the Swiss Defender of the America's Cup with 41 points has a comfortable lead of 5 points over the Italian challenger Luna Rossa and 7 over Emirates Team New Zealand. Even the winner of Louis Vuitton Act 10, BMW Oracle, is trailing the Swiss by 10 points. Although there is no doubt that all three challengers could very well finish the fifth race ahead of Alinghi, the Swiss would have to repeat their mediocre performance of race 1 and finish at best sixth, in order to see their leadership in Act 11 threatened.

On the contrary, the situation at the top of the Challenger Ranking table is much more complicated and interesting. BMW Oracle will probably pay the price of their first two disappointing races, where they finished 9th and 6t. As you can see on the table at the left-hand column of this page, BMW Oracle is just 4 points ahead of Emirates Team New Zealand and 7 of Luna Rossa. Since in 2006 ranking points earned in each Act are multiplied by 2, all the New Zealanders have to do is finish Act 11 two places ahead of the Americans.

If James Spithill and Dean Barker carry out an excellent execution of their race and Chris Dickson falters, nice surprises are acoming. Let us not forget that Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team could also upset the situation by finishing ahead of BMW Oracle. Such a situation will put them ahead in the final scoring of Act 11 and push the Americans one spot further down. Vasco Vascotto and his crew have had a stable performance in the first four races. By getting a fourth place in Act 11 they will leap ahead in the Challenger Ranking table, helped by the disastrous performance of Desafio Espanol 2007 and Victory Challenge.

Last but certainly not least, Alinghi could also be an indirect actor in this play. Given their almost certain win in Act 11, the Swiss might not be so interested in their absolute finishing place in race 5 but in their position relative to BMW Oracle. They could try to finish ahead of the Americans but behind Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team and push BMW Oracle even further down the table of Louis Vuitton Act 11.

Since this website is neutral and can't take sides, the best-case scenario in Act 11 for the America's Cup would be Alinghi first, Luna Rossa second, Emirates Team New Zealand third, Masclazone Latino - Capitalia Team fourth and BMW Oracle fifth. This way, the top and the middle of the Challenger Ranking table will get even tighter, resulting in even more exciting races!!