10:40 AM Fri 6 Feb 2009 GMT
Louis Vuitton Pacific Series - Day 7 Results and Reports - 6th February, 2009
Race 4:
China Team beat Greek Challenge - 2m58s
The hapless Greek Challenge copped two penalties well before the start gun in their showdown with China Team. The first came when the Greeks, with New Zealander Gavin Brady at the helm, failed to enter the start box within two minutes of the five-minute signal. Seeing the Greeks had a problem hoisting their jib, China Team skipper Ian Williams made a beeline for them and as the starboard boat, forced the Greeks to tack away before they got into the box. Williams and his ever-improving team made life impossible for Brady's crew, bouncing them off every time they tried to enter. The Greek Challenge got penalized again after a port-starboard incident trying to get around China Team. Forced to cancel one of their penalties immediately after the start, the Greeks trailed China by 39s at the first mark. When they completed their second turn at the finish line, crossing 2m 58s behind, the loss effectively shattered the Greeks' hopes of advancing any further in this regatta
Deltas
Mark 1 - 0:39 - China Team
Mark 2 - 0:40 - China Team
Mark 3 - 0:45 - China Team
Finish - 2:58 - China Team
Race 3:
BMW Oracle Racing beat TEAMORIGIN (ret.)-
Russell Coutts for BMW Oracle Racing was relentless in his attacks on TEAMORIGIN'S Ben Ainslie in the pre-start. With the seconds counting down after a long dialup, Ainslie made his bid to break clear. There was hard contact as the boats split away and the umpires docked Coutts one point and Ainslie half a point. The start was Ainslie's and the young Briton staved off Coutts' efforts to grab the lead on the first weather leg and kept it close for the next run until disaster struck approaching the leeward mark. The headsail wouldn't feed into a damaged headfoil and the British boat sailed down past the mark, its bow draped with the ungathered spinnaker and crew working furiously to get the jib up. TEAMORIGIN was forced to retire and lost half a point. The Americans finished the race but their victory point was cancelled out by their penalty point. Both teams indicated they would appeal the umpires' decision.
Deltas
Mark 1 - 0:14 - TEAMORIGIN
Mark 2 - 0:18 - BMW Oracle Racing
Mark 3 - - BMW Oracle Racing
Finish - - BMW Oracle Racing
 | Team Origin is over a boat length clear of BMW Oracle Racing when the British headfoil had issues. BMW Oracle also had a penalty against he for a pre-start infringement - ARL MediaClick Here to view large photo |
Race 2:
Pataugas K-Challenge beat Team Shosholoza - 20s
Sebastien Col, driving Pataugas K-Challege made the most of his starboard tack entry to the start box and hunted Paolo Cian who was steering Team Shosholoza. After herding the South African boat out to the right, Col led his opponent back to the line, the boats almost in line-ahead formation and the French with a one boat-length advantage. Cian split looking for better breeze but still trailed the first time they crossed. The South African boat kept it close all around the course but the honours went to the French.
Deltas
Mark 1 - 0:20 - Pataugas K-Challenge
Mark 2 - 0:22 - Pataugas K-Challenge
Mark 3 - 0:15 - Pataugas K-Challenge
Finish - 0:14 - Pataugas K-Challenge
Race 1:
Alinghi beat Damiani Italia Challenge - 44s
With the start box set well inside the city end of the harbour for the first time, both Alinghi and Damiani Italia, the giantkiller of the previous day, needed to kill time in the final seconds to the startgun. Alinghi helmsman Ed Baird tried to trap Damiani Italia between the line and the committee boat, but the Italian helmsman Francesco Bruni found enough room to sail over the top of Alinghi and cross the line with speed heading to the left. Alinghi dipped down under the Italian boat and headed to the right. Damiani Italia was ahead at the first cross and snatched the right hand side while Alinghi sailed off toward Rangitoto Island. When the boats came together again, two-thirds of the way up the beat, Alinghi had made a sizeable gain and Damiani dialed down pointing at Alinghi to protect their hold of the right. Baird had time to safely duck underneath the Italians, but Bruni's attempt to then slam dunk Alinghi didn't work, tacking too close and not making an effort to get clear. The Italians were then handed a red-flag penalty - to carry out a 360 degree turn immediately - for gaining control from the move. Alinghi then powered away, rounding the top mark 21s ahead, and were never challenged.
Deltas
Mark 1 - 0:21 - Alinghi
Mark 2 - 0:33 - Alinghi
Mark 3 - 0:35 - Alinghi
Finish - 0:44 - Alinghi
Pre-Race Report 1000 hours NZ Time
Plenty of breeze on the Waitemata this morning. The northeasterly breeze was expected to soften and trend left as the day wears on. The day is bright, sunny and clear. It's the Waitangi Day holiday so we expect a good spectator fleet, plus crowds on North Head.
Race assignments have been set for the next five days of competition. For all the details, click on BREAKING NEWS on the www.louisvuitton-pacificseries.comhome page. Then choose DAILY RESULTS. There are five pages of information, starting with pairings for the second round robin. Go to Page 3 to see how the Challenger Sail Off, Quarter Finals and Semi Finals have been arranged. Results for the first round robin are on Page 5.
For more race graphics see www.lvps09.comand www.louisvuitton-pacificseries.com
by Louis Vuitton Pacific Series Media
Click on thumbnails to enlarge and find more photos:
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Frederick Reef, QLD
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