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The Defender of the America’s
Cup, Alinghi, remains unbeaten on the 2005 match
racing season, with helmsman Jochen Schuemann leading
the Swiss over Emirates Team New Zealand to sweep
to an 11-0 record.
Alinghi may be well ahead of the challengers, but
there’s plenty of competition in the challenger
fleet. BMW Oracle Racing had to beat Luna Rossa
today to ensure second place and that’s just what
they did. Chris Dickson’s team was very convincing
in putting its issues off the water behind them
– the only blemish on their record is a loss to
Alinghi.
The +39 Challenge and Shosholoza are the other big
winners on the week. For the Italians, an equal
fifth on points (sixth after the tie break) is a
great result. This team has come along way from
its first efforts in Valencia in 2004, and is climbing
the learning curve faster than anyone else at the
moment.
Similarly, Shosholoza was rewarded for its efforts
with two wins – the first ever for South Africa.
Still struggling at times, Shosholoza is nonetheless
moving in the right direction.
Tuesday’s loss to the Swiss capped a tough week
for the Kiwis. The Emirates squad salvages third
on the points table, winning the tie-break by virtue
of a victory over Luna Rossa. But losses to Alinghi
and BMW Oracle Racing, as well as a surprise fall
to +39, showed the Emirates squad still has work
to do to get to the top of the ladder again.
As for Luna Rossa, losses to the three teams ahead
of it were tempered by a perfect record against
the rest of the fleet. But the Italians have to
start beating the top three teams to take the next
step.
Conditions on the Øresund were much different on
Tuesday with 10 to 12 knot Northwesterlies under
clear, sunny skies. Plenty of Swedes and Danes were
on the water this afternoon as spectator boats crowded
the two race courses, catching the action of the
32nd America’s Cup.
Results of the Day
Flight 11
Mascalzone Latino (ITA 77) def. Victory (SWE 73)
- 1'01''
BMW Oracle Racing (USA 76 def. Luna Rossa (ITA 74)
- 1'11''
Alinghi (SUI 75) def. Team New Zealand (NZL 82)
- 2'03''
Team Shosholoza (RSA 83) def. China Team (CHN 69)
- 0'43''
+39 Challenge (ITA 59) def. Team Germany (GER 72)
- 0'51''
Desafío Español (ESP 67) def. K-Challenge (FRA 60)
- 0'20''
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