Louis Vuitton Act 13 - Day 1: BMW Oracle and Shosholoza shine in difficult conditions

It was a difficult day, with shifty winds and truly roller coaster results. The leaderboard changed dramatically twice during the one and only race that finally took place and in particular, the last leg was the most decisive. BMW Oracle finished first, after recovering seven places. The pleasant surprise came from Shosholoza that finished second behind the Americans, both aided by a strong puff of wind in the last 500 meters of the race. They were followed by Mascalzone Capitalia, the mot consistent team.

Start of the first race of Louis Vuitton Act 13. Valencia, 3 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Start of the first race of Louis Vuitton Act 13. Valencia, 3 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Start of the first race of Louis Vuitton Act 13. Valencia, 3 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

After the start of the first race, ITA-85 of +39 Challenge crosses across the fleet to the right side of the course. Alinghi's SUI-91, whose bow is seen on the left, was behind the fleet as they had to carry out their penalty for being too early over the line. Valencia, 3 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

+39 Challenge was clearly leading at the first mark. Valencia, 3 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Emirates Team New Zealand and BMW Oracle were almost carrying out a race within the race. Valencia, 3 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

At the second mark, the fairy tale looked as if it could happen. +39 Challenge arrives first with Mascalzone Capitalia close behind. Valencia, 3 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The rest of the fleet arriving at the 2nd mark, with Areva Challenge in 3rd position. At that precise moment, Victory Challenge suffers the first of the two spinnaker problems that plagued them. Valencia, 3 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Areva Challenge was 3rd in the 2nd mark, 50 seconds behind +39 Challenge. The French team gained one more position in the third leg but went to the wrong side in the last one and dropped to ninth. Valencia, 3 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Desafío Español was also a team that didn't shine in today's difficult conditions. The Spanish were ahead of BMW Oracle, Alinghi and Luna Rossa at the 2nd mark but finished a mediocre eighth. Valencia, 3 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa were disappointing. They never went past the middle of the fleet. Valencia, 3 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

You have to see it to believe it. China Team closely behind Victory Challenge. After a second blown spinnaker, the Swedes fell way behind and crossed the finish line 20 minutes after BMW Oracle and 10 minutes behind the Chinese. Valencia, 3 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

+39 Challenge's lead came to an end at the beginning of the last leg when the spinnaker broke. The delay in putting a new one up cost them nine places. Valencia, 3 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Propelled by a left shift, USA-87 cruises to victory. Valencia, 3 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Almost 4 minutes after BMW Oracle, Shosholoza finished second, riding the same left hand pressure. Valencia, 3 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

A combination of good tactcis, boat speed and crew work resulted in Mascalzone Capitalia being the most consistent team. Here, a few hundred meters before the finish line, they overtake Alinghi that fell into a hole. Valencia, 3 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing