Already the holders of the Louis Vuitton Cup, the Prada Challenge added the Louis Vuitton Trophy to its collection after beating the GBR Challenge by just six seconds in the final of the America’s Cup Class.

The racing by the modern representatives at the America’s Cup Jubilee turned out to be closer and more exciting than anyone dared to expect, but in the end, the experience of the Italians won out over the exuberance of the young British team.

The GBR Challenge will be heartened by their performance this week, and the race on Saturday will do nothing to discourage them. Starting helmsman Andy Green did a good job on the start, as he threw a penalty onto Luna Rossa skipper Francesco de Angelis who gybed too close to the British boat. Green went on to win the right side of the starting line, and put Luna Rossa skipper Francesco de Angelis in a position where he had to tack at the gun, slowing the boat as the race began.

Sailing manager Ian Walker took over the helm from there, and led both boats on a long beat out to the right side of the course. GBR-52 held a handy lead at the weather mark, and although Luna Rossa showed better pace and closed up over most of the downwind leg, two poor gybes on the Italian boat, followed by a torn spinnaker, allowed Walker to round the leeward mark with nearly a four boatlength lead.

The British team maintained that lead on the beat, and looked fairly secure rounding the mark but on the spinnaker hoist, the sail burst as it filled in the breeze, and suddenly, the race was in jeopardy. As the GBR-52 crew struggled to haul in the torn sail and replace it with a new one, Luna Rossa rounded, executed a clean hoist and gybed off to the favoured side of the course.

The boats split, with Luna Rossa on the right side of GBR-52, as the boats steamed down to the finishing line. Both skippers called for a gybe simultaneously, and as the boats converged, it was clear that Luna Rossa was in the lead. As they neared the finishing line, the Italians hoised a jib, readying to complete their penalty turn. With GBR-52 hurtling toward them, the Luna Rossa crew executed a flawless spinnaker drop, turned towards the wind and tacked through, crossing the line just half a boat length ahead of the charging Britons.

In the petit-final, Team New Zealand beat the second British entry GBR-41 fairly convincingly. British helmsman Andy Beadsworth was again strong in the pre-start, but simply couldn’t match the speed of NZL-32.

The Grand Prix Class of the Prada International 12-Metre Championship is for America’s Cup two-time winner Russell Coutts who secure with a race in hand, headed for the golf links with his Swiss Team Alinghi teammates, leaving their class winner South Australia tied to the dock.

Team New Zealand’s Cameron Appleton sailed Kiwi Magic into first place for the day and took second place for the week, while Australian America’s Cup winner Australia II, steered by John Bertrand and Skip Lissiman finished third overall.

It was a nostalgic day for Australia II. Today was her last race, and “the little white pointer” left the dock to cheers and applause from pierside spectators. She returned after racing, flying her famous Boxing Kangaroo battle flag plus a giant Australian flag while supporters toasted her with copies quantities of Australian wine. Although Australia II is destined for retirement in a new Marine Museum in her homeport of Fremantle, there is now talk of building a replica for future 12-Metre events and racing.


INTERNATIONAL AMERICA'S CUP CLASS (IACC) RESULTS

final : Luna Rossa (ITA 45) def. Idaten (GBR-52)

Petit final : Black magic (NZL-32) def. Gbr Challenge (GBR 41)

INTERNATIONAL 12 M J RESULTS

Race 6

1, Kiwi Magic (Cameron Appleton)
2, Hissar (Edgar T Cato)
3, Crusader (Richard Matthews)
4, Australia II (John Bertrand)
5, Fiddler (Alfred B Van Liew)
6, Ecosse (Irvine Laidlaw)
7, Italia (Don J L Wood)
8, Kookaburra (David Allen)
9, Kiwi (Michael Smith)
DNF, Magic (Hans Bycholt)
DNF, South Australia (Russell Coutts)

After two frustrating race days in light and variable conditions, the forecast for tomorrow and Saturday is more promising, leading the committee to confirm that they will attempt to run Races Two and Three of the match racing tomorrow with a final scheduled for Saturday. Both British yachts will start from 1-0 down.

In the America's Cup Class, the British Challenge rebounded from a poor showing on Thursday to beat Team New Zealand and advance to the finals of the America’s Cup Class match racing series for the Louis Vuitton Trophy. The British team will meet the Prada Challenge, who easily dispatched the second British entry.

The new generation GBR-52 was in tough against Team New Zealand after losing the first race in the best of three series on Thursday. But helmsman Andy Green recovered, executing two flawless starts in Friday’s competition, to put the Kiwis on their back foot.

The British Challenge will now face the Italian Prada team in Saturday’s America’s Cup Class final. Prada advanced by beating the other British entry, GBR-41, in two consecutive matches. Nobody would realistically have expected the older vintage GBR-41 to compete with Luna Rossa, the winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup in Auckland in February 2001, so Walker said, the fledgling British Challenge has nothing to be ashamed of.

Meanwhile, on the Eastern Solent, Russell Coutts and his Kiwi/Swiss crew from the Swiss Alinghi Challenge for the America’s Cup have won the Grand Prix Class of the Prada International 12-Metre Championship with a day in hand. Sailing the 12-Metre South Australia, Coutts finished fourth today to amass a low point score of nine points. With five races completed and the ability to discard his sixth race, Coutts is not expected to sail tomorrow.

There was a distinct match-racing component to the fleet racing in the Grand Prix Class. Sailing in bright sunshine and a ten-knot westerly breeze, the top boats were careful to protect their existing points base.

“Coutts was sailing real fast and was a little better than the rest of us this week,” said Gary Jobson, who was steering Edgar Cato’s Hissar, formerly the Kiwi “Plastic Fantastic” KZ5. “The boys on Australia II were doing a real nice job too. Behind them there was a massive fight amongst the rest of us for the remaining places. “The surprise to me was that Team New Zealand, sailing Kiwi Magic didn’t seem to have the stuff and they have a good boat too.”

Jobson described the day’s finishes as “an oddball situation” as Irving Laidlaw’s Ecosse took first place and Richard Matthew’s Crusader finished second. “People were more worried about their overall positions in the regatta than they were about winning today,” he said.

Australia II, sailed by John Bertrand, finished third, while Kiwi Magic finished sixth. They are second and third overall with 16 and 19 points respectively. Ecosse is fourth with 20 points.


INTERNATIONAL AMERICA'S CUP CLASS (IACC) RESULTS

Semifinals (day 2)

Luna Rossa (ITA 45) def. Gbr Challenge (GBR 41)
Idaten (GBR-52) def. Black magic (NZL-32)
Idaten (GBR-52) def. Black magic (NZL-32)

INTERNATIONAL 12 M J RESULTS

Race 5

1, Ecosse (Irvine Laidlaw)
2, Crusader (Richard Matthews)
3, Australia II (John Bertrand)
4, South Australia (Russell Coutts)
5, Hissar (Edgar T Cato)
6, Kiwi Magic (Cameron Appleton)
7, Fiddler (Alfred B Van Liew)
8, Italia (Don J L Wood)
9, Kookaburra (David Allen)
10, Kiwi (Michael Smith)
DNF, Magic (Hans Bycholt)

After two days of incredible racing at the America's Cup Jubilee, the pace slowed on Wednesday, as hot, hazy weather was the order of the day. Sullen skies and an almost total lack of breeze forced a delay in racing and when it did start, competitors had to contend with the biggest and fastest tidal currents of the year. The resulting light wind meant that only the America's Cup Class and the 12-Metre Grand Prix division completed races.

In the America's Cup Class, Luna Rossa today registered two victories, the first in the final fleet race of the modern America's Cup Class, and later in the first semifinals match race (against GBR-41 helmed by Andy Beadsworth).

Only the best four placed America's Cup yachts proceeded to the semifinals which are raced on a best-of-three bases: Luna Rossa, GBR-52, NZL-32 and GBR-41 (the latter, initially fifth overall, "overtook" America3 by winning a protest against them).

The other semifinals match of the day, between GBR-52 and NZL-32, was won by young kiwi Dean Barker.

It was a Down Under day at the Prada 12-Meter World Championships as Kiwi Russell Coutts and his mixed Swiss/Kiwi crew aboard South Australia, beat John Bertrand and his Aussies on Australia II in the Grand Prix Class, with young New Zealander Cameron Appleton and the Team New Zealand contingent aboard Kiwi Magic finishing third.

Coutts and his Swiss Alinghi Challenge shipmates sailed their 12-Metre South Australia around the course in first place, pursued but never caught by Bertrand and the Aussie veterans on Australia II. The Grand Prix boats barely weathered the tidal trap waiting for them at the leeward mark but were able to get around the mark, harden up on port tack and then drift sideways in the tide for over a mile until they got out of the worst of the current on the Isle of Wight shore

Coutts leads on points after three races, with a low-point score of 4. Appleton is second with 8 and Bertrand is third with 11.


INTERNATIONAL AMERICA'S CUP CLASS (IACC) RESULTS

Race 4

1, Luna Rossa (Francesco De Angelis)
2, Idaten (Peter Harrison)
3, America 3 (William I Koch)
4, High Voltage (John Caulcutt)
5, Team New Zealand (Dean Barker)
6, Gbr Challenge (Peter Harrison)
7, Il Morro (William I Koch)
8, France II (Portsmouth Harbour Yacht Club)
9, France III (Chris Gordon)

Semifinals (day 1)

Luna Rossa (ITA 45) def. Gbr Challenge (GBR 41)
Black magic (NZL-32) def. Idaten (GBR-52)

INTERNATIONAL 12 M J RESULTS

Race 4

1, South Australia (Russell Coutts)
2, Australia II (John Bertrand)
3, Kiwi Magic (Cameron Appleton)
4, Ecosse (Irvine Laidlaw)
5, Italia (Don J L Wood)
6, Crusader (Richard Matthews)
7, Fiddler (Alfred B Van Liew)
8, Hissar (Edgar T Cato)
9, Kiwi (Michael Smith)
10, Kookaburra (David Allen)
DNF, Magic (Hans Bycholt)

The UBS Race around the Island celebrating the Jubilee of the America’s Cup started off the Royal Yacht Squadron’s starting line in Cowes today in ideal conditions. Thousands of spectators ashore and thousands more afloat watched as 201 boats representing more than a 100 years of yachting history departed Cowes on the 60-mile race around the Isle of Wight first made famous by the schooner yacht America 150 years ago tomorrow.

In the America's Cup Class, the Prada Challenge's Luna Rossa snatched a two-second victory from the GBR Challenge's GBR-52 after the latter led all the way round the island, only to lose it on a protest.

After a dramatic re-enactment of the historic first race for the America's Cup, around the Isle of Wight, GBR Challenge emerged victorious. The British team in the 2000 generation former Nippon Challenge yacht, GBR 52, won the 150th anniversary race after Prada incurred a penalty, the extent of which will be decided tomorrow when the jury re-adjourn.

Whilst pursuing GBR 52 over the last mile of the race course, Prada sailed higher to escape the adverse tide and crossed the line just seconds in front. In the process, the Italian yacht sailed into the exclusion zone, and luffed GBR 52, forcing the British yacht into the area.

In the International 12-Metre Class, Russell Coutts steered the Swiss Team Alinghi to victory aboard South Australia.

Kiwi Russell Coutts, who enjoys the unique distinction of successfully defending the America’s Cup for New Zealand 18 months ago and who is challenging his homeland with the Swiss Alinghi Challenge next time, was a clear winner with a margin of two minutes 34 seconds, after leading for three-quarters of the race. Coutts was sailing the Australian Twelve South Australia, with his Alinghi syndicate backer and head Ernesto Bertarelli as navigator.


INTERNATIONAL AMERICA'S CUP CLASS (IACC) RESULTS

ATI Race

2, Idaten (Peter Harrison)
3, Luna Rossa (Francesco De Angelis)
3, Team New Zealand (Dean Barker)
4, America 3 (William I Koch)
5, Gbr Challenge (Peter Harrison)
6, Il Morro (William I Koch)
7, High Voltage (John Caulcutt)
8, France II (Portsmouth Harbour Yacht Club)
9, France III (Chris Gordon)
DSQ, Luna Rossa (Francesco De Angelis)

INTERNATIONAL 12 M J RESULTS

ATI Race

1, South Australia (Russell Coutts)
2, Australia II (John Bertrand)
3, Hissar (Edgar T Cato)
4, Ecosse (Irvine Laidlaw)
5, Crusader (Richard Matthews)
6, Fiddler (Alfred B Van Liew)
7, Italia (Don J L Wood)
8, Kiwi (Michael Smith)
9, Kookaburra (David Allen)
10, Magic (Hans Bycholt)
DNF, Kiwi Magic (Cameron Appleton)

An incredible day of racing on the Solent saw Team GBR mark Britain’s return to the America’s Cup with a win in the first race on the America’s Cup Class course while Swiss America’s Cup skipper Russell Coutts beat one of his old Team New Zealand protégés, Cameron Appleton, on the 12-Metre Grand Prix course.

On the America’s Cup course, races two and three were sailed today.

The first victory went to the "locals" of GBR Challenge on board GBR-52 (Idaten previously of Nippon Challenge 2000) with a lead of 52 seconds over Luna Rossa ITA-45 at the finish. Opposite results for the second race of the day, when Luna Rossa ITA-45 beat GBR-52 by 33 seconds.

“This was a big day for us,” said Ian Walker, helmsman on GBR-52, and sailing manager for the British team, reflecting on a win and a second place finish from two races sailed. “We were able to sail around the course with Prada and Team New Zealand, teams that have been at this game for a long, long time, and we gave them a hard time. I think our crew work was incredible today.”

Commodore’s Day also marked the first official racing in the12-Metre fleet after racing was abandoned on Sunday. Kiwi America’s Cup winner Russell Coutts and his Swiss Alinghi syndicate won one race and were second in another to lead the International 12-Metre Grand Prix Class on Eastern Solent.

Racing their boat South Australia in the Prada International12-Metre Class World Championships, Coutts and the Swiss prevailed in tight racing against Team New Zealand sailing Kiwi Magic, skippered by Cameron Appleton, and the American Hissar, steered by former Cup winner Gary Jobson.

“It was close racing,” said Coutts. “The afternoon called for a lot of different tactics and strategies. The Solent is a wonderful place to sail on days like this when it gets complicated.” Racing with Coutts and the Swiss team in the navigator’s seat is their syndicate head, Ernesto Bertarelli.


INTERNATIONAL AMERICA'S CUP CLASS (IACC) RESULTS

Race 2*

1, Idaten (Peter Harrison)
2, Luna Rossa (Francesco De Angelis)
3, Team New Zealand (Dean Barker)
4, Gbr Challenge (Peter Harrison)
5, America 3 (William I Koch)
6, Il Morro (William I Koch)
7, High Voltage (John Caulcutt)
8, France III (Chris Gordon)
9, France II (Portsmouth Harbour Yacht Club)

Race 3*

1, Luna Rossa (Francesco De Angelis)
2, Idaten (Peter Harrison)
3, Team New Zealand (Dean Barker)
4, Gbr Challenge (Peter Harrison)
5, America 3 (William I Koch)
6, Il Morro (William I Koch)
7, High Voltage (John Caulcutt)
8, France II (Portsmouth Harbour Yacht Club)

* Yesterday’s race one, postponed due to the heavy weather, will be sailed on Wednesday.

INTERNATIONAL 12 M J RESULTS

Race 2*

1, South Australia (Russell Coutts)
2, Kiwi Magic (Cameron Appleton)
3, Hissar (Edgar T Cato)
4, Australia II (John Bertrand)
5, Ecosse (Irvine Laidlaw)
6, Italia (Don J L Wood)
7, Fiddler (Alfred B Van Liew)
8, Crusader (Richard Matthews)
9, Kookaburra (David Allen)
10, Kiwi (Michael Smith)
DNF, Magic (Hans Bycholt)

Race 3*

1, Crusader (Richard Matthews)
2, South Australia (Russell Coutts)
3, Kiwi Magic (Cameron Appleton)
4, Australia II (John Bertrand)
5, Hissar (Edgar T Cato)
6, Fiddler (Alfred B Van Liew)
7, Ecosse (Irvine Laidlaw)
8, Italia (Don J L Wood)
9, Kiwi (Michael Smith)
10, Kookaburra (David Allen)
DNF, Magic (Hans Bycholt)

* Yesterday’s race one, postponed due to the heavy weather, will be sailed on Wednesday.

The wind blowing over 25 knots and big seas in the Eastern Solent forced the Race Committee to cancel the first race of the America's Cup Jubilee for the modern America's Cup Class and the 12 Metre Class.

The nine America's Cup Class yachts waited on the race course until 11.30 (the start was scehduled for 10.30) before racing was called off for the day.

Luna Rossa ITA-45, America3 USA-23, France II FRA-33, France III FRA-37, GBR Challenge GBR-44 e GBR-41, High Voltage USA-46, Il Moro ITA-25, Team New Zealand NZL-32 have just got back to their moorings.

Also the 35 splendid 12 Metre yachts, racing for the Prada International Twelve Metre Class World Championship, were not able to complete race after a spectacular practice race.

Racing started on schedule for the other classes - J Class and 23 Metre Class, vintage yachts, classic yachts, Spirit of Tradition modern (IMS and IRC) - that are still out in the Solent.

This morning the America's Cup landed "home" in Cowes after 150 years, escorted by Maoris who performed the traditional "haka", the war dance. The legendary silver trophy was crafted in 1848 by the Royal jeweller Garrards of London in 1848. On August 22, 1851, the yacht America beat the Royal Yacht Squadron fleet on a race around the Isle of Wight and took the Cup to America.

The America's Cup Jubilee will be officially opened this evening in the presence of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. The weather forecast for today has East-Southeasterly winds force 4/5, cloudy skies with rain. Becoming drier in the evening and sunny, warm and breezy early in the week.

Today is the final day for training and registration for the 208 yachts who will be taking part in the Jubilee celebrations. The first race for all the fleet is cehduled for tomorrow, Sunday 19 August, at 10.30 am.

The racing calendar is the following:
- 19 August: race 1 (12 Metre and all the other classes).
- 20 August: race 2 and 3 (12 Metre), race 2 (all the other classes).
- 21 August: "Jubilee Race Around the Island", race 3.
- 22 August: race 4 (12 Metre), race 4 (all the other classes).
- 23 August: reserve day.
- 24 August: race 5 (12 Metre), race 5 (all the other classes).
- 25 August: race 6 (12 Metre), race 6 (all the other classes); official prize giving ceremony.

The following classes will be racing in Cowes:
- J Class and 23 Metre Class
- vintage yachts
- classic yachts
- Spirit of Tradition
- modern (IMS and IRC)
- America's Cup Class
- 12 Metre ( Prada International 12 Metre Class World Championship with an impressive 36 entries divided into three divisions according to their age - Classic, Grand Prix and Modern) .