Day two of Trieste Challenge: Yet another exhibition of sailing skills by Chris Dickson

The second day of the Trieste Challenge provided nice and close racing but was unfortunately shortened by bad weather, resulting in just two races being completed out the five scheduled. Morning gusts of up to 30 knots forced the race committee to postpone racing till 3pm while an afternoon thunderstorm sent all boats back to the harbor.

Racing will start at 10am tomorrow and the tentative schedule calls for the completion of the first round robin.

The first match of the day was an Italian derby between Luna Rossa and Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team, although it definitely lacked the expected thrills and excitement. It was an easy win for de Angelis and the Luna Rossa crew that forced a start on the right side of the course. Luna Rossa built an advantage of 2 boatlenghts in the first leg and by staying on the right side managed to increase the lead till the end of the match, despite some futile provocations from behind by Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team during the last leg.

Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team lost the Italian derby of the second day of the Trieste Challenge. Trieste, 30 August 2006. Photo copyright: Massimo Silvano / Trieste Challenge

Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team lost the Italian derby of the second day of the Trieste Challenge. Trieste, 30 August 2006. Photo copyright: Massimo Silvano / Trieste Challenge

Luna Rossa sailing to victory at the Italian derby of the second day of the Trieste Challenge. Trieste, 30 August 2006. Photo copyright: Massimo Silvano / Trieste Challenge

Luna Rossa sailing to victory at the Italian derby of the second day of the Trieste Challenge. Trieste, 30 August 2006. Photo copyright: Massimo Silvano / Trieste Challenge

The second and last race of the day was another exhibition by Chris Dickson of his sailing skills. The BMW Oracle skipper dominated the prestart against Areva Challenge but was over the line early. By the time BMW Oracle had carried out their penalty the French had built a lead that kept during the first leg. At the top mark, Dickson had closed in on the French but rounded the wrong buoy. After protesting to the jury, the race went on and Dickson managed to catch up with Sébastien Col in the second leg. At the bottom mark he got inside the French forcing them to crush against the wharf. At the turn Areva touched the American boat and got a penalty. From that point Dickson covered and anticipated each move by the French, allowing him to cross the finish line first while Sébastien Col was offloading his penalty.

Chris Dickson (BMW Oracle) and Sébastien Col (Areva Challenge) racing at the second day of the Trieste Challenge. Trieste, 30 August 2006. Photo copyright: Massimo Silvano / Trieste Challenge

Chris Dickson is staging a sailing show in the Trieste Challenge. Nevertheless, the skipper of the America's Cup Challenger of Record is facing a long winter in Valencia (or summer in Auckland?) getting ready for the moment of truth next April in Valencia. Trieste, 30 August 2006. Photo copyright: Massimo Silvano / Trieste Challenge

Trieste Challenge provisional classification (after 7 races)

1. BMW Oracle Racing - 3 points (3 races)
2. Luna Rossa - 2 points (3 races)
3. Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team - 2 points (3 races)
4. China Team - 0 points (2 races)
5. Areva Challenge - 0 points (3 races)