Louis Vuitton Cup - Semifinals - Day 2: Great come-bak win for BMW Oracle over Luna Rossa

The come-back kids did it once again. After an awful start and despite trailing more than 250 meters at the first downwind leg, BMW Oracle came back from the dead and grabbed the victory from Luna Rossa at the final stretch of the last leg, finishing 13 seconds ahead of the Italians.

Still, 1 hour and 20 minutes earlier everybody had Chris Dickson and his crew written off and the talk on the media boat was about what heads would be the first to roll at the Challenger of Record. James Spithill, aboard Luna Rossa's ITA-94, did an amazing job in prestart shutting out Chris Dickson, crossing the starting line ahead and at full speed while USA-98 came almost to a holt and had to tack three times before reaching fulls peed.

Luna Russa went to the right side of the course and found fresher breeze, further increasing their lead. They rounded the top mark with a 58-second lead and everybody thought the race was over. Then Luna Rossa decided not to cover their rival and a huge lateral separation gave BMW Oracle the opportunity to easily play the small shifts (not more than 10-15 degrees). The Italians were leading by a whopping 270 meters at some stage but BMW Oracle managed to bring it down to 50 meters at the approach of the leeward gate. Luna Rossa rounded 20 seconds ahead and went to the right while BMW Oracle chose the left.

The second upwind leg was as if the race had started again and a big separation once again took place, reaching almost a mile at some point. Nevertheless, when the two boats crossed near the top mark, ITA-94 was ahead by only 2 boat lengths and Chris Dickson attacked, starting a luffing match. The two boats carried out a dial up and once again Spithill's great maneuvers saved the day for the Italians. They accelerated much faster and rounded the top mark 14 seconds ahead.

Unfortunately for the Italians, the last leg dealt a blow to their hopes. USA-98 was clearly faster and as both boats were sailing parallel to the left layline they overtook the Italians halfway down to the finish line. A final run helped them cross the finish 13 seconds ahead of Luna Rossa.

The BMW Oracle boat in the prestart of the race against Luna Rossa. Valencia, 15 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Prestart of the race between BMW Oracle and Luna Rossa. Valencia, 15 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Prestart of the race between BMW Oracle and Luna Rossa. With a few seconds left, James Spithill is running towards the starting line while it is becoming apparent Chris Dickson will be shut out. Valencia, 15 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa not only starts ahead of BMW Oracle, USA-98 almost came to a halt. Valencia, 15 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa rounded the right buoy at the leeward gate. Valencia, 15 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

BMW Oracle opted for the right side at the leeward gate. Valencia, 15 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The beginning of the second upwind leg saw once again a big separation between the two boats. Valencia, 15 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

BMW Oracle passes Luna Rossa halfway through the final leg of the race. Valencia, 15 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Final meters of the race and BMW Oracle grabs victory from Luna Rossa, after demonstrating clear speed superiority. Valencia, 15 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing