Louis Vuitton Cup - Semifinals - Day 1: Emirates Team NZ score easy victory over Desafío Español

Claiming that today's race was a test for each team's tacticians, wind spotters and the afterguard would be an understatement, if one is to judge just by our last picture where yachts crossed the finish line sailing upwind. Showing they master these kind of conditions, Emirates Team NZ played them into their advantage and beat Desafío Español by 43 seconds.

After an even start, both teams went to the left side of the course. After the first stretch, the New Zealander tacked to the right, a move that proved to be extremely decisive, as a 30-degree shift to the right propelled them ahead. NZL-92 rounded the top mark over 1 minute ahead of ESP-97. In the first downwind leg, the Spanish managed to chip 20 seconds off the kiwi lead and even continue their fierce fight in the third leg, rounding the top mark half a second behind them.

The final leg was a clear demonstration of kiwi superiority in tactics. The Spanish team had managed to position themselves just three boatlengths behind NZL-92. Still, Emirates Team NZ were able to clearly see the enormous shift that was arriving and lowered their spinnaker and hoisted their genoa. On the contrary, the Spanish kept the spinnaker for a couple of minutes more, only to cut it and let it free when they were unable to retrieve it. That gave Emirates Team NZ the final opportunity to gain extra space and finish the race 43 seconds ahead of Desafío Español.

Listen to Ray Davies, commenting on the race at the press conference following the races. You can pause or stop the interview with the control buttons, just like with any other music player. You can also move to any point of the file by clicking on the grey bar:

Emirates Team NZ at the prestart of the race against Desafío Español. Valencia, 14 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Mark Mendelblatt did an excellent job up on the second spreader, spotting wind patterns. Valencia, 14 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing


Prestart of the race between Desafío Español and Emirates Team NZ. Valencia, 14 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The start was even, with both teams going to the left side of the course. Valencia, 14 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Emirates Team NZ start the first downwind leg with a comfortable advantage. Valencia, 14 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Emirates Team NZ lead at the leeward gate. Valencia, 14 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The two yachts at the beginning of the last leg. Valencia, 14 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Emirates Team NZ have dropped their spinnaker after that 160-degree shift while Desafío Español are hanging on. Valencia, 14 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Being unable to hold it any longer, Desafío Español cut their spinnaker. Valencia, 14 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Another picture for the history books. After 160-degree wind shift, Emirates Team NZ crossed the finish line sailing upwind. Valencia, 14 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing