America's Cup 33 Race 1 - BMW hits the lead

1:57 PM Fri 12 Feb 2010 GMT

'33rd America's Cup - BMW ORACLE Racing' BMW Oracle Racing &copy Photo Gilles Martin-Raget Click Here to view large photo

Sail-World records the race as it unfolds.

Match Racing skipper Jamies Spithill on the BMW Oracle race forced Alinghi away, Protest flag on Oracle. Alinghi did not keep clear. A 270 Penalty turn is outstanding of the Swiss boat.

BMW Oracle stalled ahead of the startline and crossed almost a minute behind the Swiss boat, a 660 metre lead..

The trimaran looked to be sailing higher than the Alinghi catamaran as she chewed into her rivals lead, the distance between them was soon less than 400 metres. Up the course the breeze was building now, up to eight knots at the top mark.

BMW Oracle was sailing faster and higher, she hit the lead, five miles up the first leg. She was 660 metres back and a third way up the course she sailed 400 metres ahead of her rival.

BMW had taken down her headsail, she was sailing faster and higher than the Swiss boat.

Over on the right, Alinghi began to chew into the lead for a little, it dropped down to 130 metres, but BMW came back and pushed her lead out to 200 metres and she began extending away, 300,400,500 metres.

Behind her Bertarelli's Alighi had a penalty outstanding.

The breeze was settled 165 at 8 knots at the top mark as it was mid course it was 170 at 9 knots

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by www.Sail-World.com