Light but steady 8-knot breezes and clear blue skies greeted the large spectator fleet that came out to watch Saturday’s thrilling first race on the Øresund.

It was fairy-tale stuff for the French team of K-Challenge, who took the lead by the first mark and held off the attentions of BMW Oracle Racing for an inspiring victory. Alinghi made a good charge up the fleet, finishing fourth after being forced to go back and restart.

The wind was still blowing 7 to 8 knots for the beginning of the second race, but it soon built to 14 knots and shifted slightly to the left.

Luna Rossa charged across the top of the fleet from the left-hand side and the Italians were leading from Alinghi for the next lap. Then the Italian genoa broke and the Swiss pounced as the Italians fought to replace the shredded sail. Luna Rossa recovered quickly, but Alinghi won the race comfortably.

The results leave Alinghi and BMW Oracle Racing with identical scorlines at the top of the table. Luna Rossa, Emirates Team New Zealand and Desafío Español are in touch, but will struggle to overhaul both leaders.

Race 2

K-Challenge 12
BMW Oracle 11
Luna Rossa 10
Alinghi 9
Desafío Español 8
Team New Zealand 7
+39 Challenge 6
Mascalzone Latino 5
Victory Challenge 4
Team Germany 3
Shosholoza 2
China Team 1

Race 3

Alinghi 12
Luna Rossa 11
Team New Zealand 10
BMW Oracle 9
Desafío Español 8
+39 Challenge 7
Team Germany 6
Victory Challenge 5
K-Challenge 4
Shosholoza 3
Mascalzone Latino 2
China Team 1