Louis Vuitton Cup - Round Robin 2 - Day 9: Mascalzone Latino lose to BMW Oracle after early start

The race between Mascalzone Capitalia and BMW Oracle was practically over before it even started. When one faces Chris Dickson on USA-98, the slightest error can be paid dearly and this is exactly what happened to the Italians. ITA-99 crossed the starting line 2 seconds before the start gun was fired and by the time they recrossed, BMW Oracle's USA-98 had powered away. It was impossible for Mascalzone Capitalia to catch up and they finished almost a minute behind BMW Oracle.

According to the watch on the committee boat there are still 2 seconds to go before the gun is fired but ITA-99 has already crossed the start line. Valencia, 7 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Mascalzone Latino have to recross the starting line while BMW Oracle power ahead. Valencia, 7 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

There wasn't much Cameron Dunn could do when he took the helm of ITA-99 at that stage. Valencia, 7 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Mascalzone Capitalia found in breach, match against Desafío Español to be resailed

According to the official America's Cup website, Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team has been found in breach of the America’s Cup Class Rule during its win over Desafío Español 2007.

In its findings the Jury stated it is satisfied that the breach had no significant effect on the outcome on the match. Notice of Race 14.2 allows the Jury to impose a penalty other than disqualification in such circumstances. The Jury considers that the most equitable arrangement is to re-sail the match and impose a fine of 10 000 euros. Arrangements for the re-sail will be made with the Regatta Director and will be included in the written decision to be published on Friday.

Always according to the official America's Cup website, Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team acknowledged using the backstays in the manner described by Desafío Español and the Measurement Committee advised the Jury that they had determined ACC Rule 44.1 had been broken.

In effect, the Italian team had the backstays stowed alongside the mast for much of the two upwind legs, to avoid drag, but set them up before the final run, to provide more support to the topmast.

It seems that our photo sequence confirms the last sentence. While no backstays were apparent in the start of the race and the rounding of the leeward gate, the crew on ITA-99 set them up in the last downwind leg, or at least, they could be seen when the yacht approached the finish line.

CHECK ALL THE PHOTOS HERE

Desafío Español files protest against Mascalzone Capitalia

According to the official America's website, Desafío Español filed a protest against Mascalzone Capitalia for an incident that took place during the race between the two teams on May 2, 2007.

According to the Spanish claim, the Italians breached the ACC rules concerning the use of backstays. According to rule 44.1, "Whilst racing…backstays, topmast backstays and check stays shall remain permanently attached to their fixing points on the mast and the hull, deck or cockpit and in the same load bearing position throughout the race."

According to the Spanish claim, Mascalzone Capitalia breached the rule with the improper use of the backstays.

Here is a series of photos taken from that race:

Prestart of the race between Mascalzone Capitalia and Desafío Español. Valencia, 2 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Mascalzone Capitalia's ITA-99 and Desafío Español's ESP-97 approach the leeward gate. Valencia, 2 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Mascalzone Capitalia's ITA-99 and Desafío Español's ESP-97 approach the leeward gate. Valencia, 2 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Mascalzone Capitalia's ITA-99 during the last stretch of the race's last leg, a few hundred meters before the finish line. Valencia, 2 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Mascalzone Capitalia's ITA-99 crosses the finish line. Valencia, 2 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Louis Vuitton Cup - Round Robin 2 - Day 4: Mascalzone Capitalia beat Desafío Español from the start

In the south race course most of the matches were thrilling and close but in the north course the match of the day was actually decided very early, even before the starting gun was fired. The match between Mascalzone Capitalia and Desafío Español was indeed one-sided, with the Italians in control throughout the whole race due to wrong tack by Karol Jablonski half a minute before the start.

The Spanish boat appeared to control the prestart but at half a minute from the start Desafío Español tacked towards the right in a turn to which the Italian team responded by pursuing the Spaniards and at the last moment forcing the Spanish boat to lose speed and pass the starting line behind their opponent.

As both Cameron Dunn, helmsman of Mascalzone Capitalia, and Luis Doreste, Desafío Español strategist, clearly stated, these boats are very similar in speed and under stable wind conditions, it is very difficult, if not impossible to pass the other boat after such a disadvantaged start.

The Spanish fought hard to regain some of the lost ground and despite a small snafu of the Italians with their spinnaker drop at the leeward gate, Mascalzone Capitalia crossed the finish line with a 35-second advantage.

Desafío Español hoisted a jib 10 minutes before the starting gun. Valencia, 2 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Only to lower it and hoist another one 2 minutes later. Valencia, 2 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Prestart of the race between Mascalzone Capitalia and Desafío Español. Valencia, 2 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The turning point of the prestart and the whole race. Desafío Español decide to tack towards the right. Valencia, 2 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

That gives Italians the opportunity to tack towards the pin end and accelerate. Valencia, 2 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Desafío Español cross the start line 11 seconds behind Mascalzone Capitalia. Valencia, 2 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Desafío Español and Mascalzone Capitalia approaching the leeward gate. Valencia, 2 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Desafío Español and Mascalzone Capitalia approaching the leeward gate. Valencia, 2 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Mascalzone Capitalia's spinnaker drop was quite sloppy. Valencia, 2 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

On the contrary, crew work aboard Desafío Español's ESP-97 was almost flawless. Valencia, 2 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

It took Paolo Bottari an agonizing minute to put back the spinnaker pole into position at the start of the second upwind leg. Valencia, 2 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The Italians managed to increase their lead over Desafío Español in the final leg. Valencia, 2 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Last gybe for Mascalzone Capitalia.... Valencia, 2 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

... and two extremely valuable points in the pocket. Valencia, 2 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Cameron Dunn to helm Mascalzone Capitalia on Wednesday's race

The string of five consecutive losses took its toll on Flavio Favini, helmsman of Mascalzone Capitalia. Vincenzo Onorato, the syndicate's head, took the decision to replace the Italian sailor and hand the helm of ITA-99 to Cameron Dunn. Here's Onorato's statement:

Five losses in a row have seriously affected our morale, it would be wrong to deny. In today’s sailing team meeting the burn from the losses was evident. However my men are not depressed but angry, with a real desire to recover and that is exactly the way I’d like them to be.

We’ve also felt the fatigue from the last days. The Cup is a long and strenuous commitment, for this reason I have decided to change the helmsman, for tomorrow’s race, from Flavio Favini to Cameron Dunn. We have very qualified and capable replacements and now is the time to make use of them.

I would like to thank all of those who have shown their affection and still believe in us: Mascalzone Latino is still very much alive!

Louis Vuitton Cup - Round Robin 1 - Day 13: Luna Rossa win the Italian derby against Mascalzone Capitalia

The all-important Italian derby between Luna Rossa and Mascalzone Capitalia saw James Spithill and his crew win a decisive victory. Prestart specialist Jes Gram Hansen squeezed out Luna Rossa and got the favorite right side, starting with an early lead. Mascalzone Latino took advantage of the right shift, increasing the lead and rounding the top mark 23 seconds ahead of Luna Rossa. During the first run, their lead went up to 200 meters but Luna Rossa started getting closer.

At the leeward gate Mascalzone Capitalia had a difficult spinnaker drop and committed the error of rounding the right mark while Luna Rossa opted for the left. That proved to be the turning point in the race. Halfway up the second upwind leg, Luna Rossa passed their rivals and at the top mark they had an advantage of 35 seconds. In the final downwind leg Luna Rossa kept ITA-99 in check and finished 45 seconds ahead of them.

Prestart of the all-important Italian derby between Luna Rossa and Mascalzone Capitalia. Valencia, 28 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Mascalzone Capitalia wins the right side and starts the race with an early lead. Valencia, 28 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Mascalzone Capitalia picks the favorite right side of the course in the first leg and leads Luna Rossa. Valencia, 28 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Mascalzone Capitalia and Luna Rossa approaching the leeward gate. Valencia, 28 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The turning point of the race. Mascalzone Capitalia decide to go to the right buoy of the leeward gate. Valencia, 28 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

In addition, the spinnaker drop was quite problematic. Valencia, 28 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa's afterguard decide to go to the left on the second upwind leg. Valencia, 28 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Halfway up the second upwind leg Luna Rossa passes Mascalzone Capitalia. Valencia, 28 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Great victory for Luna Rossa. Valencia, 28 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Louis Vuitton Cup - Round Robin 1 - Day 9: Desafío Español prevail easily over Mascalzone Capitalia

It was supposed to be the race of day, close and exciting and it turned out as an easy victory for the Spanish team, despite the fight given by Mascalzone Capitalia. According to Nacho Postigo, navigator of the Italian team, a major turning point took place 4 minutes before the start. Up to that moment the Italians were controlling the aggressive prestart fight but the Spaniards took over the control. Mascalzone Capitalia gibed too early allowing the Spanish too also come back. The Spanish team started to the left while the Italians went to the right. Soon after, the Spanish tacked to the right and attacked the Italians. The rest of the first beat was a continuous attack by Desafío Español who managed to push the Italians over the starboard layline and rounded the top mark half a minute ahead. Mascalzone Capitalia were never able to recover and lost by 39 seconds.

Where was Vasco Vascotto looking, 5 minutes before the start? Valencia, 24 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Four minutes before the start, Karol Jablonski takes over control of the prestart fight. Valencia, 24 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

According to Nacho Postigo, Mascalzone Capitalia's navigator, gibing too early back to the line might have been one of the team's major mistakes. Valencia, 24 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The start of the race was even. Valencia, 24 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Desafío Español chose the left side while Mascalzone Latino went to the right. Valencia, 24 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Desafío Español rounded the leeward gate comofrtably ahead of Mascalzone Latino and went to the right. Valencia, 24 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Mascalzone Latino rounded on the left. Valencia, 24 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

On the last downwind leg the Spanish team increased their lead and were able to maintain a comfortable advantage. Valencia, 24 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Two very important points for Desafío Español. Valencia, 24 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Louis Vuitton Cup - Round Robin 1 - Day 5: Mascalzone Capitalia beat Emirates Team NZ

It was a day for wind spotters and tacticians. Mascalzone Capitalia's Vasco Vascotto and Nach Postigo made the right call and chose the right side of the course out of the start while Terry Hutchinson aboard NZL-92 went to the left. As a result, the Italians built a lead over the New Zealanders, rounding the top mark 19 second ahead of them. During the first downwind leg the New Zealanders attacked intensively but the Italians managed to withstand and rounded the leeward gate 8 seconds ahead. They chose again the right side for the second upwind leg and increased the lead over their competitors, holding it till the finish line.

Mascalzone Capitalia and Emirates Team NZ during the prestart maneuvers. Valencia, 20 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

They're off. It was a pretty even start, although Mascalzone Capitalia was a litlle bit faster. Valencia, 20 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Right off the start Mascalzone Capitalia went to the right side of the course. Valencia, 20 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The first downwind leg was far from easy for the Italians and at the approach of the leeward gate they were barely ahead of the New Zealanders. Valencia, 20 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

ITA-99 and NZL-92 approach the leeward gate. Valencia, 20 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

ITA-99 and NZL-92 round the leeward gate. Valencia, 20 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

ITA-99 rounds the leeward gate ahead of NZL-92. Valencia, 20 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Vasco Vascotto and his crew decide to go to the right side of the course for the second upwind leg. Valencia, 20 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

On the contrary, Emirates Team NZ decide once again to sail on the left side of the course. A small left shift brought some help, but not enough to overturn the result. Valencia, 20 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Despite their lead, the final downwind leg was not easy for the Italians. Valencia, 20 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Great victory for Mascalzone Capitalia. Valencia, 20 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing