Louis Vuitton Cup - Round Robin 2 - Day 2: Luna Rossa dominate Victory Challenge

Match racing virtuoso James Spithill and his crew didn't have great problems in beating Victory Challenge in the north course's second race. After an aggressive prestart, the Italians started the match with a lead of 3 seconds over the Swedes. The first leg was a tough fight and the boats sailed less than two boat lengths apart. James Spithill from leeward edged in without losing speed and managed to push Luna Rossa’s dirty air on Victory’s sails. At the point Luna Rossa lead the race, rounded the top mark with a 12-second advantage and stayed ahead until the end, crossing the finish line almost half a minute before Victory Challenge.

Victory Challenge in the prestart of the race against Luna Rossa. Valencia, 30 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Prestart of the race between Victory Challenge and Luna Rossa. Valencia, 30 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Immediately after the start Victory Challenge sails towards the right. Valencia, 30 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

At the approach of the leeward gate, Luna Rossa had increased their lead over Victory Challenge. Valencia, 30 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Crew work aboard Luna Rossa's ITA-94 was flawless. Here they round the leeward gate. Valencia, 30 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

On the contrary, a spinnaker problem at the leeward gate cost Victory Challenge precious time. Valencia, 30 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Despite the gains achieved in the last leg, the Swedes couldn't reach Luna Rossa. Valencia, 30 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa cross the finish line, pocket two points and share the top spot on the leaderboard with BMW Oracle. Valencia, 30 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Louis Vuitton Cup - Round Robin 2 - Day 2: BMW Oracle's shocking defeat by China Team

The Dragon's son beats the American eagle should read tomorrow's headlines in the sport sections of the Chinese newspapers. Not only did China Team score their first victory in the Louis Vuitton Cup, they did it against the leader BMW Oracle.

It was supposed to be the day's dullest and least interesting race but it turned out into one of the most interesting and spectacular. China Team must have entered the start box with a mindset of losing by the lowest margin possible while BMW Oracle lined up their so called "B Team" and for the first in the 2007 Louis Vuitton Cup, USA-98 was helmed by Sten Mohr.

It was indeed a one-sided match till halfway through the first leg when the genoa sail pulled out of the headstay foil on USA-98. The Americans tried to hoist a second genoa but to no avail. They were forced to continue the first upwind leg with just their mainsail. That mishap gave the Chinese the chance to build an enormous advantage over BMW Oracle. The Americans fixed the problem during the first downwind leg and sailed with the genoa in the second upwind leg and despite gaining more than 1 minute on each of the 2 legs, that was not enough and crossed the finish line more than 3 minutes behind China Team.

This is the second time BMW Oracle suffer from this type of failure in a very short time. As recently as three weeks ago, USA-98 went through the exact same failure in Louis Vuitton Act 13 and the crew were unable to hoist the genoa twice.

Prestart in the race between China Team and BMW Oracle. Valencia, 30 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

China Team got squeezed at the start. Valencia, 30 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Both boats went to the right and BMW Oracle started increasing their lead. Valencia, 30 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Far away in the course, the unthinkable takes place, severe gear failure on BMW Oracle's USA-98. We then learned it was a repeat of the failure in Act 13. Sorry for the picture but we were not allowed to go further upwind due to the other two simultaneous races on the same course. Valencia, 30 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Far away and coming downwind, yes downwind, China Team's CHN-95. After their recent mishaps in spinnaker drops and given their 5-minute lead over BMW Oracle, the Chinese decided to play it safe and dropped the spinnaker hundreds of meters before reaching the leeward gate. Valencia, 30 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

A photo for the history books. China Team's CHN-95 starting their upwind leg while BMW Oracle were downwind, hundreds of meters from the leeward gate. Valencia, 30 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

BMW Oracle also avoided all unnecessary risks and dropped their spinnaker far away from the leeward gate. Valencia, 30 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Despite their evident speed advantage, BMW Oracle was unable to reach the Chinese. Valencia, 30 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The Dragon's Son a few hundred meters before his first victory in the 32nd America's Cup. Valencia, 30 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Without any doubt the happiest moment for China Team in their 3-year long journey in the 32nd America's Cup. They cross the finish line 3:15 minutes ahead of BMW Oracle Valencia, 30 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Louis Vuitton Cup - Round Robin 2 - Day 2: Preview

Will the second day of Round Robin turn out to be better than the first one? Although half of the scheduled races were carried out yesterday, it was under light and very shifty conditions. BMW Oracle and Luna Rossa had two easy races that allowed to gain 2 more points each while Shosholoza further distanced themselves from the semifinals after suffering a spinnaker pole breakage and losing a race they were leading against Victory Challenge.

The races from the south course cancelled yesterday are now scheduled to take place after flight 2. The match of the day will face Mascalzone Capitalia and Emirates Team New Zealand. Can the Rascals repeat their surprising victory against the kiwis? Another top-three team is also facing one of the serious contenders for the fourth place. Luna Rossa must beat Victory Challenge who will be fighting hard for the two points.

At least, it is encouraging to read that most forecasts coincide in that the day promises a good and steady seabreeze.

Louis Vuitton Leaderboard as of 29-04-2007
Weather forecast
America's Cup organizers expect today a good sea breeze day, dry and warm. Winds will start as south westerlies 5-7 knots, then building and backing to southeast 8-10 knots. Some cloud are forecast inland but the day will be dry.

Here is the forecast by BMW Oracle's meteorologist Chris Befdord, as always courtesy of the BMW Oracle Blog.



Racing Schedule Flight 2
Shosholoza - United Internet Team Germany: After their defeat against Victory Challenge, Shosholoza have almost lost all chances of advancing to the semifinals. If they lose this one then the first South African America's Cup challenger can start packing up for the trip back to Cape Town on May 9.
BMW Oracle - China Team: Easy two points for BMW Oracle.
Luna Rossa - Victory Challenge: The Swedes will certainly try to win the race and produce a major upset.
+39 Challenge - Desafío Español: The Spanish shouldn't encounter any problem against the Italian team.
Areva Challenge - Mascalzone Capitalia: The first race of the day for Mascalzone Capitalia should be much easier than the second one and the French shouldn't be much of hurdle in the Italian's race to the semifinals.

Racing Schedule Flight 1
Emirates Team NZ - Mascalzone Capitalia: The match of the day, rescheduled after it was cancelled yesterday. If Mascalzone Capitalia repeat their victory in round robin 1 they will place themselves closer to the semifinals and do BMW Oracle and Luna Rossa a favor.
Areva Challenge - +39 Challenge: Interesting match in the bottom of score table.

T-Systems Minute 29-04-2007

In today's T-Systems Minute, Marc Lagesse, navigator of Team Shosholoza, describes his team's disastrous race against Victory Challenge. Despite having sailed very well and lead during three quarters of the race, the South Africans lost after being overtaken in the last half of the final leg.

Having broken their spinnaker pole at the leeward gate and without sufficient advantage, Magnus Holmberg and his crew were able to easily overtake them and finish a minute ahead of them.


Video shot and produced by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Louis Vuitton Cup - Round Robin 2 - Day 1: Luna Rossa easily beat China Team

A match figuring these two opponents should normally be a non event but today's race had its share of odd sights, such as James Spithill trailing the Chinese by 30 seconds at the start. Of course, Luna Rossa caught up with China Team, passed them on the first upwind and rounded the top mark just 18 seconds ahead of them.

The Chinese crew's inexperience was evident when at the leeward gate they started dropping their spinnaker and had to quickly gybe to avoid Luna Rossa who were at the beginning of the upwind leg after rounding. This caused the spinnaker to get stuck around the hull, dragging the boat and finally the crew had to abandon it. Obviously, Luna Rossa won the race by a very important margin. Still it is encouraging to see the Chinese progressing, albeit at small steps.

This must be an unusual sight. Luna Rossa trailing China Team at the start by almost half a minute. Valencia, 29 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

China Team gybing and dropping the spinnaker at the same time. Valencia, 29 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

China Team rounding the leeward gate. Valencia, 29 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Louis Vuitton Cup - Round Robin 2 - Day 1: Shosholoza lose against Victory Challenge after spinnaker pole broke

Given the absence of any racing in the south race area, the match between Shosholoza and Victory Challenge turned out to be the match of the day. Both teams were prepared for an all-out fight since they belonged to the group of four serious contenders for fourth place in the leaderboard and a ticket to the semifinals. A loss, especially for Shosholoza, would be translated into a major setback.

After having waited for more than 2 hours for the breeze to build and two attempts by the race committee to set two start lines the match started at around 4pm under light and shifty conditions, 45 degrees to the right during the 2 hours that lasted the day's three races in the north course. The prestart was fierce but the start was even and both boats went to the right. During the first leg, leadership changed various times but Shosholoza rounded the top mark 31 seconds ahead of the Swedes. During the first downwind leg Victory Challenge managed to close in. A few hundred meters before the leeward gate and when they were preparing their spinnaker pole, Shosholoza broke their spinnaker pole. They rounded the right mark 16 seconds ahead of the Swedes and managed to increase their lead to 19 seconds at the top mark.

Still, that was not enough to win, since in the last leg they had to sail without spinnaker pole. The obvious difference in speed meant the Swedes overtook halfway through the leg and crossed the line 1 minute ahead of Shosholoza.

According to sailing manager Paul Standbridge, "early on we decided against carrying a spare spinnaker pole. It weighs about 30 kg and a repair kit about 15 kg and we chose to put the extra weight in out keel. We had to take the chance of not breaking it". That decision cost them two extremely valuable points and made their aspiration to be in the semifinals very doubtful.

The prestart was very close and here Shosholoza's Tomasso Chieffi asks for a penalty against the Swedes. Valencia, 29 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The battle in the first leg was fierce and both teams went initially to the right. Valencia, 29 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Approaching the leeward gate, the South Africans were enjoying a comfortable lead and were preparing for the spinnaker drop. Valencia, 29 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Then disaster strikes, their spinnaker pole is broken. Valencia, 29 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Shosholoza's RSA-83 a split second after the breakage of the spinnaker pole and turning point of the race. Valencia, 29 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Despite their problem, Shosholoza didn't lose time. Valencia, 29 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Sailing without a spinnaker pole, the South Africans couldn't hold on to their advantage and Victory Challenge passed them halfway through the final leg. Valencia, 29 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Victory Challenge cross their finish line and earn two extremely valuable points. Valencia, 29 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Shosholoza cross the front line without their spinnaker pole. This is a major blow for the South Africans and puts their aspirations for the semifinals in doubt. Valencia, 29 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Louis Vuitton Cup - Round Robin 2 - Day 1: Preview

BMW Oracle and especially Luna Rossa have an easy start in this second round robin. Racing against the Germans and Chinese, respectively, shouldn't be a problem for the two top teams of the first round robin.

In the north race area Shosholoza and Victory Challenge will fight for a place in the semifinals and in the south race area Mascalzone Capitalia will try to repeat their victory over Emirates Team NZ. There is speculation, particularly in the Italian and Spanish media, that yesterday's defeat of BMW Oracle by Desafío Español was actually a "gift" from the Americans in order to help them get into the semifinals, at the expense of Mascalzone Capitalia.

Weather forecast
Today's forecast is not encouraging but then yesterday's as well was pessimistic and we had 6 great matches, albeit in light and shifty conditions. There is a low just to the north of Valencia and together with its associated trough they will bring rain and light winds. They will mainly be northeast 5-7 knots. Cloudy skies to start, with risk of rain at times, clearing later.

Racing Schedule Flight 1
BMW Oracle - United Internet Team Germany: It shouldn't be a problem for the leader of Round Robin 1. Most probably the Germans are already thinking about the next America's Cup.
Victory Challenge - Shosholoza: A must win for both teams if they want to be in the semifinals.
Luna Rossa - China Team: James Spithill and his crew have a very relaxed beginning for this Round Robin
Emirates Team NZ - Mascalzone Capitalia: Will the Italians be able to repeat their surprise win of round robin 1?
Areva Challenge - +39 Challenge: Interesting match at the bottom of the leaderboard.

Last but not least
A friend of ours sent us this interesting picture of the bulb and keel of BMW Oracle's USA-87. The American Challenger of Record have been carrying a great number of tests on their older boat.

Bulb and keel of BMW Oracle's USA-87 on Saturday morning. The Challenger of Record took their boat out very early on Sunday morning for tests off Valencia's coast. Valencia, 28 April 2007. Photo copyright Leah Shalom / Valencia Sailing

Louis Vuitton Cup - Round Robin 1 - Day 13: Desafío Español upset BMW Oracle

Without any doubt it was the upset of the day. Desafío Español was the first and only team to beat BMW Oracle, in a race marked by light winds and big changes in wind direction. The race committee was seen forced to change the course twice as winds shifted 40 degrees to the left. It was exactly these shifts the Spanish team took advantage of and lead the race from the beginning. The Americans were unable to catch Desafío Español and the Spanish increased their lead in every leg, finishing 1 minute ahead of BMW Oracle.

Prestart of the race between Desafío Español and BMW Oracle. Valencia, 28 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The start of the race between Desafío Español and BMW Oracle was even. Valencia, 28 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Desafío Español keep on the left while BMW Oracle opt for the right side of the course. Valencia, 28 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Desafío Español and BMW Oracle approaching the leeward gate. Valencia, 28 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Desafío Español round the left buoy and take the left side of the course. Valencia, 28 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

BMW Oracle round the right buoy and take the right side of the course. Valencia, 28 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Last stretch of the race and Desafío Español is leading BMW Oracle by more than 100 meters. Valencia, 28 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Louis Vuitton Cup - Round Robin 1 - Day 13: Luna Rossa win the Italian derby against Mascalzone Capitalia

The all-important Italian derby between Luna Rossa and Mascalzone Capitalia saw James Spithill and his crew win a decisive victory. Prestart specialist Jes Gram Hansen squeezed out Luna Rossa and got the favorite right side, starting with an early lead. Mascalzone Latino took advantage of the right shift, increasing the lead and rounding the top mark 23 seconds ahead of Luna Rossa. During the first run, their lead went up to 200 meters but Luna Rossa started getting closer.

At the leeward gate Mascalzone Capitalia had a difficult spinnaker drop and committed the error of rounding the right mark while Luna Rossa opted for the left. That proved to be the turning point in the race. Halfway up the second upwind leg, Luna Rossa passed their rivals and at the top mark they had an advantage of 35 seconds. In the final downwind leg Luna Rossa kept ITA-99 in check and finished 45 seconds ahead of them.

Prestart of the all-important Italian derby between Luna Rossa and Mascalzone Capitalia. Valencia, 28 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Mascalzone Capitalia wins the right side and starts the race with an early lead. Valencia, 28 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Mascalzone Capitalia picks the favorite right side of the course in the first leg and leads Luna Rossa. Valencia, 28 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Mascalzone Capitalia and Luna Rossa approaching the leeward gate. Valencia, 28 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The turning point of the race. Mascalzone Capitalia decide to go to the right buoy of the leeward gate. Valencia, 28 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

In addition, the spinnaker drop was quite problematic. Valencia, 28 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa's afterguard decide to go to the left on the second upwind leg. Valencia, 28 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Halfway up the second upwind leg Luna Rossa passes Mascalzone Capitalia. Valencia, 28 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Great victory for Luna Rossa. Valencia, 28 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Louis Vuitton Cup - Round Robin 1 - Day 13: BMW Oracle beat Emirates Team NZ

In the closing race of round robin 1 and the clash of the giants, BMW Oracle had a comfortable win despite their problematic prestart and initial lag after the start.

The match's most exciting moments were during the prestart when both boats were over the line alongside at the gun. USA-98 circled first and while they were powering ahead to the start line, Dean Barker circled and started ahead of his rivals. The New Zealanders built an early lead of around 4 boatlengths but BMW Oracle kept attacking and closed in on them enough to trail them at the top mark by a mere 3 seconds. On the first downwind leg, the Americans passed the kiwis and rounded the leeward gate 28 seconds ahead. Up the second windward leg, USA-98 covered every move by its opponents and, after a 19-tack battle had extended to a 43 second margin. The Americans kept their lead in the final downwind leg and won the race with 35-second margin.

Prestart of the BMW Oracle race against Emirates Team NZ. Valencia, 28 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

A few seconds before the start both boats were over the line. Valencia, 28 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Both teams are late for the start. BMW Oracle has an apparent advantage with Emirates Team NZ still having to get back behind the line. Valencia, 28 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Despite their initially difficult position, Emirates Team NZ gybed in front of BMW Oracle and started ahead of them. Valencia, 28 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Emirates Team NZ built an early lead of around 4 boatlengths. Valencia, 28 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The two boats approaching the leeward gate, with BMW Oracle having gained the lead in the downwind leg. Valencia, 28 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

BMW Oracle rounded the leeward gate 28 seconds ahead of the New Zealanders. Valencia, 28 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

BMW Oracle leading the race at the final stretch of the fourth leg. Valencia, 28 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

A very important victory for BMW Oracle. Valencia, 28 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Emirates Team NZ will finish this race and round robin 1 behind the Americans. Valencia, 28 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing