Louis Vuitton Cup - Round Robin 2 - Day 5: Preview

Good morning from rainy Valencia after parts of the city were swept by a strong morning shower. It's a typical spring day in the host city of the 32nd America's Cup and as far as the weather forecast is concerned we should expect conditions quite similar to yesterday.

We only have one flight scheduled today, five matches, but it is certainly going to be a day to remember with two great fights. BMW Oracle will be facing Luna Rossa in the north course and the winner of the race will become the clear leader of the Louis Vuitton Cup round robins. Not only the top spot is at stake. Emirates Team New Zealand will have to sail against Desafío Español in the south course and the outcome of the match will shape the third and fourth place.

Further down the score table, Victory Challenge and Mascalzone Capitalia will also have to win their matches if they want to stay in the race for the semifinals. They will be certainly waiving huge kiwi flags and doing the maori dance, hoping for a Spanish defeat.

Louis Vuitton Leaderboard after Round Robin 2 - Flight 4
Weather forecast
The low that has been causing us problems will fill and move to the east, but a trough follows bringing a risk of rain. According to event organizers, winds will be southwesterlies 7-10 knots veering towards the west later in the afternoon. Cloud cover is expected to be reduced by mid-afternoon before building later by evening.

Here is the forecast from Chris Bedford, meteorologist of BMW Oracle, as always, courtesy of the BMW Oracle Blog.


Racing Schedule Flight 5
United Internet Team Germany - Victory Challenge: It shouldn't be a difficult match for the Swedes, giving them the opportunity to gain two more points, standing now three points behind the Spanish. If in addition Desafío Español are beaten by the kiwis, a mere point will be separating the Swedes from the fourth ticket to the semifinals.
BMW Oracle - Luna Rossa: The only certainty about this match is that its winner will lead the Louis Vuitton Cup round robins.
Mascalzone Capitalia - +39 Challenge: Strong after their victory against the Spanish yesterday, Mascalzone Capitalia will not encounter any problems beating their fellow Italians.
Shosholoza - China Team: After yesterday's two tough races, an easy win for Shosholoza.
Desafío Español - Emirates Team NZ: The day's second exciting match can also be very decisive in the leaderboard. If the kiwis win they consolidate their third position but if the Spanish manage to create an upset they will be dangerously close to stealing the third spot.