Louis Vuitton Act 12 - Day 7 - Flight 11 : Emirates Team beats BMW Oracle, Lunna Rossa victorious over Alinghi

Emirates Team New Zealand - BMW Oracle: 1 - 0

This race was practically decided at the start, as Emirates Team New Zealand started 13 seconds ahead of BMW Oracle, got the right of the course and then tacked on to the left, a great call by tactician Terry Hutchinson. The Kiwis took advantage of the anticipated left shift and built an advantage of 1:16 at the top mark. It was impossible for BMW Oracle to catch up with NZL-84 that even gained an additional 22 seconds in the final legal due to good wind pressure at the final stretch.

Unlike all previous days, our photos are quite limited as the media boat was absurdly far from the action.

Just when the gun went off, Emirates Team New Zealand was pacing ahead while BMW Oracle was stalled. Valencia, 28 June 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

A poorly executed prestart meant BMW Oracle crossed the start line 15 seconds behind Emirates Team New Zealand. Valencia, 28 June 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Emirates Team New Zealand pacing ahead to the finish line, gaining further advantage over BMW Oracle. Valencia, 28 June 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Alinghi - Luna Rossa: 0 - 1

It was the second straight loss of the day for Alinghi. Match racing's wunderkid James Spithill managed to trap sailing veteran Peter Holmberg and get Alinghi a penalty. Luna Rossa chose the left side of the course, building a lead of half a minute at the top mark. In the following legs Alinghi was able to eat out a few seconds out of their disadvantage but were never able to reach the Italians who would have won comfortably even without Alinghi offloading the penalty right at the end.

The start of the race was quite close. Valencia, 28 June 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The start of the race was quite close. Valencia, 28 June 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa racing to victory over Alinghi. Valencia, 28 June 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa racing to victory over Alinghi. Valencia, 28 June 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing