Louis Vuitton Act 12 - Day 4: Victory Challenge beats Alinghi, Emirates unbeaten, top division firmly established

As we wrote in our previous reports, the day's most important news was the fantastic win of Victory Challenge over Alinghi. A result of that defeat is that the only team at the top and unbeaten is Emirates Team New Zealand.

As we have come to expect so far in the 32nd America's Cup, there is a very good reason the leading four teams (Alinghi, Luna Rossa, Emirates Team New Zealand and BMW Oracle) are called the "Big Four". While they ocasionally lose against some of the rest of the teams, it has been impossible to threaten their dominance and break into the top division. After four days of racing in Louis Vuitton Act 12, the first division has been firmly outlined.

With three flights remaining, Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team, now fifth overall, would have to perform miracles to climb one step and reach fourth position. On the other hand its leadership in the second division is a much easier task. Victory Challenge with today's two victories has its place in the second division secured, as does Desafío Español. The only team that could climb to a higher division is +39 Challenge if it beats United Internet Team Germany.

Divisions are of course a nice thing, but the main point so far is that among the top three challengers it is still difficult to see who will face Alinghi in a year from now.

Louis Vuitton Act 12
Provisional Ranking at end of Day 4
Division	Team	Points
First	Emirates Team New Zealand	8
	Alinghi	7
	BMW Oracle	7
	Luna Rossa	7
Second	Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team	5
	Victory Challenge	4
	Desafío Español	4
	Team Shosholoza	3
Third	+39 Challenge	2
	Areva Challenge	1
	United Internet Team Germany	0
	China Team	0