Saturday, June 09, 2007

Alinghi dominate Luna Rossa in second day of training

After Friday's first encounter, Luna Rossa and Alinghi met for a second consecutive day on Saturday in order to train off Valencia's coast. Although it is very difficult to know, most observers agreed on the fact that Alinghi were sailing with SUI-91 while there was no mistake Luna Rossa were racing with ITA-94. The main difference with yesterday was on Luna Rossa's crew. Unlike Friday they had their second crew on the yacht with Philippe Presti on the helm.

Like yesterday, winds were very shifty and picked up considerably in the second race, reaching 12 knots at the top mark, against 8 knots at the beginning of the first race. That made both teams change their mainsail in the break and it is the reason the Alinghi yacht carried two different sail numbers (SUI-64 in the first and SUI-91 in the second).

I personally observed and photographed two races (if they can be considered so) and from what I understand the two teams also practiced a couple of prestarts before that. Again, racing started at 3pm and was followed by a large number of spectator boats. Alinghi quite easily "won" both races being twice ahead at the first crosses and top marks. Like yesterday, both races were abandoned after rounding the leeward gate and sailing upwind for a couple hundred meters.

No mishaps or accidents took place on Saturday but in general, these races should be taken with a pinch of salt. Aboard the Alinghi boat there were two guests and new gear was tested. It is believed that Friday's torn spinnaker was due to tests in the jumpers.

Race 1
Alinghi and Luna Rossa train for the second consecutive day. Prestart of the first race. Valencia, 9 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Alinghi and Luna Rossa train for the second consecutive day. Prestart of the first race. Valencia, 9 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Alinghi and Luna Rossa train for the second consecutive day. Prestart of the first race. Valencia, 9 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Alinghi and Luna Rossa train for the second consecutive day. Valencia, 9 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Alinghi and Luna Rossa train for the second consecutive day. Valencia, 9 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Alinghi and Luna Rossa train for the second consecutive day. Valencia, 9 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Alinghi and Luna Rossa train for the second consecutive day. Valencia, 9 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Alinghi and Luna Rossa train for the second consecutive day. Valencia, 9 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Alinghi and Luna Rossa train for the second consecutive day. Valencia, 9 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Alinghi and Luna Rossa train for the second consecutive day. Valencia, 9 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Alinghi and Luna Rossa train for the second consecutive day. Valencia, 9 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Alinghi and Luna Rossa train for the second consecutive day. Valencia, 9 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Alinghi and Luna Rossa train for the second consecutive day. Valencia, 9 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Alinghi and Luna Rossa train for the second consecutive day. Valencia, 9 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Alinghi and Luna Rossa train for the second consecutive day. Valencia, 9 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Alinghi and Luna Rossa train for the second consecutive day. Valencia, 9 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Race 2
Alinghi and Luna Rossa train for the second consecutive day. Prestart of the second race. Valencia, 9 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Alinghi and Luna Rossa train for the second consecutive day. Prestart of the second race. Valencia, 9 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Alinghi and Luna Rossa train for the second consecutive day. Luna Rossa takes the right side after the start. Valencia, 9 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Alinghi and Luna Rossa train for the second consecutive day. Alinghi in the first upwind leg. Valencia, 9 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Alinghi and Luna Rossa train for the second consecutive day. Top mark rounding of the second race. Valencia, 9 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Alinghi and Luna Rossa train for the second consecutive day. Top mark rounding of the second race. Valencia, 9 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Alinghi and Luna Rossa train for the second consecutive day. Top mark rounding of the second race. Valencia, 9 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Alinghi and Luna Rossa train for the second consecutive day. Top mark rounding of the second race. Valencia, 9 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

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