Friday, May 18, 2007

Louis Vuitton Cup - Semifinals - Day 4: Luna Rossa score another decisive victory over BMW Oracle

A combination of good tactics and upwind boat speed lead to another victory of Luna Rossa over BMW Oracle in the fourth race of the Louis Vuitton Cup semifinals, placing the Italians in the lead with 3 wins.

Unlike yesterday's prestart where James Spithill showed his match racing skills, Chris Dickson stayed away of trouble and both boats crossed the starting line even. Nevertheless, right after tacking in the dialup a flipper broke in the American boat, possibly affecting its speed upwind. A third up the 1st leg both boats tack and after a tacking udel, James Spithill manages to push BMW Oracle over the right layline. Luna Rossa takes the lead and rounds the top mark 13 seconds ahead of the Americans. In the first downwind leg. Luna Rossa matched every gybe of BMW Oracle and kept the lead, rounding the leeward gate 14 seconds in advance.

And then, every spectator on the media boat scratched their head to understand what was going on. Luna Rossa went to the right and BMW Oracle to the left. That was nothing exceptional one could think but shortly after, both boats moved further away to their side reaching a lateral separation of more than 2,700 meters at a stage of the upwind leg. Regardless of whether one was a Luna Rossa supporter or not it was difficult to understand the logic behind the Italians team's option not to cover their opponent and fear that we would witness a repeat of their similar blunder three days ago resurfaced. Fortunately for Torben Grael the right hand side paid off and the Italians rounded the top mark 29 seconds ahead of BMW Oracle.

In the final leg, BMW Oracle threw a number of gybes at Luna Rossa but were unable to pass. The Italian team crossed the finish line 23 seconds before the Americans. Although, the semifinals are far from over, Luna Rossa score a decisive victory and get the psychological advantage.

Prestart of the race between Luna Rossa and BMW Oracle. The American boat, USA-98, still had the flipper on. Valencia, 18 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

USA-98 tacks and the flipper breaks. The American boat, USA-98, still had the flipper on. Valencia, 18 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Prestart of the race between Luna Rossa and BMW Oracle. The American boat, USA-98, will continue the race till the top mark with the broken flipper hanging from the spreader. Valencia, 18 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The start of the race was even. Valencia, 18 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

BMW Oracle opted for the right side of the course. Valencia, 18 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

A third up the first upwind leg, BMW Oracle tacks to the right and starts a tacking duel. Valencia, 18 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Halfway down the first downwind leg Luna Rossa had built an advantage of 150 meters. Valencia, 18 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

At the approach to the leeward gate BMW Oracle managed to close in on Luna Rossa. Valencia, 18 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa rounded the right buoy and went to the right while BMW Oracle opted for the left. Valencia, 18 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

BMW Oracle round the left buoy and go way to the left. Separation between the boats reached an incredible 2,700 meters at some stage in the 2nd upwind leg. Being unable to fix the broken flipper in the downwind leg, the Americans sailed the rest of the race without it. Valencia, 18 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Halfway down the last leg, BMW Oracle threw a number of gybes but were unable to pass. Valencia, 18 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Despite a run in the final stretch by BMW Oracle, Luna Rossa were never under threat. Valencia, 18 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Extremely important victory for Luna Rossa. Valencia, 18 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

BMW Oracle's shore crew repair the damaged flipper. Valencia, 18 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

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