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