America's Cup Match - Day 1: Alinghi start with a victory

The first race of the 32nd America's Cup Match saw the Defender successfully defending their trophy by scoring their first victory in front of a huge spectator fleet of more than 800 boats. It wasn't a race to right home about and it was decided on calling the wind correctly.

The race started right on time, with 10 knots of breeze coming from east-northeast but considerably choppy and lumpy seas. It wasn't the usual thermal breeze and despite coming from the same direction it was patchy and shifty. The two boats entered the starting box almost simultaneously and proceeded with an uneventful prestart. Both boats crossed the starting line together, heading to the left side of the course and Alinghi to leeward of the kiwi boat. The New Zealand weather team had made a call for the right side and it initially appeared they were correct.

NZL-92 powered ahead and SUI-100 appeared to stall in the choppy seas. Nevertheless, Alinghi's crew had a different view. Their call was to go to the left or to the leeward of the kiwi boat. They obviously knew there was a preference for the right but they also expected it to oscillate quite quickly to the left. And oscillate it did. A 15-degree shift to the left pushed them forward and a 20-meter disadvantage turned into a 30-meter lead. When the two boats tacked to the right, Alinghi capitalized on the continued stronger wind on the left and leapt in control of the race. They rounded the top mark 13 seconds ahead of Emirates Team NZ.

The first run was a repeat of the first beat. Alinghi got hold of another wind shift and further increased their lead up to 150 meters. They rounded the leeward gate 20 seconds ahead of NZL-92 and started the third leg once again in control. The New Zealanders did a good job in the second beat and came often quite close to Alinghi. Nevertheless, they were unable to pass and rounded the top mark 14 seconds behind SUI-100. In the final leg, Alinghi got another puff and rode successfully some of the waves to sail to a comfortable victory, 35 seconds in advance of NZL-92.

It appears the two yachts are quite similar in speed although it is difficult to judge from just a race with quite patchy and unstable conditions.

Last but not least, it also seems our wind forecast at 1pm was right on the spot. The model predicted 10 knots at 3pm and wind coming from 70 degrees. When the starting gun was fired, wind speed was 10.4 knots and the initial axis of the race course was 75 degrees.

Alinghi and Emirates Team NZ during the prestart of the 1st race of the America's Cup Match. Valencia, 23 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Start of the 1st race of the America's Cup Match. Valencia, 23 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The decisive first stretch of the first leg. Alinghi on the left and leeward of Emirates Team NZ, benefited from the left shift and passed ahead. Valencia, 23 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Halfway down the first run, Emirates Team NZ toped to split from Alinghi. Valencia, 23 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Emirates Team NZ and Alinghi approach the leeward gate with the Swiss in control. Valencia, 23 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Alinghi opted for the left buoy at the leeward gate. Valencia, 23 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Emirates Team NZ opted for the right buoy at the leeward gate. Valencia, 23 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Alinghi rounded the leeward gate 20 seconds ahead of Emirates Team NZ. Valencia, 23 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Emirates Team NZ managed to shrink Alinghi's lead during the second beat. Valencia, 23 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

During the last leg, Alinghi again increased their lead. Valencia, 23 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Alinghi ride the waves and sail to victory. Valencia, 23 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing