Louis Vuitton Act 12 - Day 6 - Flight 9: Incredible win of Luna Rossa over BMW Oracle

Play of the day

A few hundered meters before the finish line, Luna Rossa gibes to the left side of the course while BMW Oracle sticks to the right. After leading throughout the race, BMW Oracle finally loses by 8 seconds. Valencia, 27 June 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Less than 15 minutes before the crucial gibe by Luna Rossa, Emirates Team New Zealand beat Shosholoza with the same pattern. The Kiwis were on the layline and stayed there while the South Africans decelerated due the the lack of pressure. Didn't BMW Oracle watch that? Valencia, 27 June 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

BMW Oracle - Luna Rossa : 0 - 1

At the start James Spithill storms the line on the pin end, to leeward of BMW Oracle. The Italians head out towards the left of the course, the Americans sail in the opposite direction and the two boats separate. USA-87 can count on the right of way as of the first crosses and is able to play the wind shifts.

At the top mark ITA86 trails by 10 seconds. The delta is 17 seconds at the leeward gate and 27 seconds at the end of the second beat. On the final run Francesco de Angelis and the afterguard trade gibe for gibe and sail towards the left hand side of the course. USA-87 heads right allowing separation and increases her margin. Luna Rossa’s afterguard’s decision is a winning one and ITA-86 passes from trailing by 200 meters to leading by over 50 meters. ITA-86 squeezes in front of USA-87’s bow and in a nail biting finish wins the race with a 8 second delta.

Start of the race between BMW Oracle and Luna Rossa on the sixth day of Louis Vuitton Act 12. Valencia, 27 June 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Start of the race between BMW Oracle and Luna Rossa on the sixth day of Louis Vuitton Act 12. Valencia, 27 June 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

BMW Oracle and Luna Rossa approaching the leeward gate. Valencia, 27 June 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

BMW Oracle rounds the leeward gate 17 seconds ahead of Luna Rossa. Valencia, 27 June 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa gibes while BMW Oracle sticks to their side. Valencia, 27 June 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa overtakes BMW Oracle and races to victory. Valencia, 27 June 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa overtakes BMW Oracle and races to victory. Valencia, 27 June 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa victorious crosses the finish line and earns another precious point. Valencia, 27 June 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing