Chris Dickson wins first match of the Trieste Challenge finals

BMW Oracle is one step closer to winning the Trieste Challenge, the match race regatta that takes place in Trieste and is solely reserved to America’s Cup teams. BMW Oracle, skippered by Chris Dickson, beat the french team Areva Challenge, skippered by Sébastien Col, in the first match of the finals (best-of-five series).

Areva had previously won the semifinals against Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team after a great turnaround: the first match, raced on Friday, was won by Mascalzone Latino, but on Saturday Sébastien Col succeeded in turning around the situation to his favor, beating the Italian team with Jes Gram Hansen on the helm, in two consecutive matches, both of them right from the start. Earlier in the day, in the first race of the day, BMW Oracle got their second point against Luna Rossa, eliminating them from the final.

Under very light sea breezes, Chris Dickson has managed to stay unbeaten, showing once more his class in helming the 55-foot one-design yachts of Trieste: greater speed, a great ability in spotting wind patterns and when needed, inflicting penalties on his adversaries. The first match of the final was hard-fought despite the very light conditions.

Final of Trieste Challenge: BMW Oracle – Areva Challenge 1 - 0
During prestart Chris Dickson not only forced Areva Challenge into getting a penalty but also got the favored left side of the course. At the first cross he was already leading and rounded the top mark four boatlenghts ahead of the French. During the first downwind leg some wind puffs favored Sébastien Col who managed to close in on Dickson and even pass him in the third leg. At that point, Dickson while approaching the second top mark, got inside the French and thanks to his greater speed he put him at great difficulties forcing him to collide. As a result, Areva got their second penalty, giving up any hope of recovery, even with such very light sea breeze. Dickson is still unbeaten and gets a step closer to winning the Trieste Challenge.

Areva Challenge and BMW Oracle racing in their first final match. Trieste, 2 September 2006. Photo copyright: Massimo Silvano / Trieste Challenge

Chris Dickson getting Areva Challenge penalized. Trieste, 2 September 2006. Photo copyright: Massimo Silvano / Trieste Challenge

Highlights of the semifinal races in chronological order

Match 2 of first semifinal: BMW Oracle beats Luna Rossa and moves to final
BMW Oracle is the first finalist of the Trieste Challenge, in a match that Luna Rossa just let slip away. Right at the start Dickson enters from the right but de Angelis skillfully avoids him and comes out intact. The two boats sail downwind under Trieste’s overcast skies and light winds, but there is no contact. Luna Rossa gets off the start slightly faster and chooses the left side of the course while BMW Oracle goes to the right. At the top mark Luna Rossa still had the lead, but de Angelis chooses not to follow his opponent on the right side. As a result, Luna Rossa gets trapped in a hole after raising the spinnaker and Dickson grabs the opportunity to pick up speed and narrow the gap. At the first tack, Dickson is already leading the race and for Luna Rossa it is impossible to defend its position. The Italian team proves various moves to decrease the damage done but Dickson doesn't look back and once again proves his sailing skills by getting out of clearly disadvantaged situations.

Luna Rossa and BMW Oracle racing in their second semifinal match. Trieste, 2 September 2006. Photo copyright: Massimo Silvano / Trieste Challenge

Chris Dickson of BMW Oracle sailing very close to the pier. Even if we are staunch supporters of Valencia, one has to admit that spectators in Trieste are extremely privileged and could even jump into the boats if they wanted. Trieste, 2 September 2006. Photo copyright: Massimo Silvano / Trieste Challenge

Match 2 of second semifinal: Areva Challenge beats Mascalzone Latino Capitalia
In a hard-fought race, always characterized by light winds, Areva Challenge got the revenge from yesterday’s defeat and tied Mascalzone Latino Capitalia. One more race would be needed to see who will challenge BMW Oracle in the finals.

Match 3 of second semifinal: Areva Challenge beats Mascalzone Latino Capitalia and moves to final
In just two matches Sébastien Col, skipper of Areva Challenge, showed why he recently grabbed the top spot at the world match racing rankings. Areva Challenge, that had tied Mascalzone Latino Capitalia in the day’s first match, finally won the semifinal and to the disappointment of local spectators moved to the final against BMW Oracle. The start was quite even and the name of the game was to judiciously read the patterns the very light winds formed throughout the race course. Areva rounded the first mark ahead of the Italians who managed to get closer and become a threat in the first downwind leg. Nevertheless, that was not enough since Areva kept the lead throughout the race and crossed the finish line first, moving to the finals.

Areva Challenge and Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team racing in their third semifinal match. Trieste, 2 September 2006. Photo copyright: Massimo Silvano / Trieste Challenge