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