Louis Vuitton Pacific Series - Upsets aplenty on day 3

2:02 AM Sun 1 Feb 2009 GMT
Racing is continuing in the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series on the Waitemata harbour.

Grey skies and a light southwesterly gave way to an increasing breeze from the same direction. Around midday the skies began to clear and the third race between China Team and BMW Oracle Racing was conducted in beautiful sailing condition, with a 15kt breeze.

China Team, skippered by world match racing champion, Ian Williams, was as aggressive as usual in the start and picked up a penalty. At gunfire, there was a split tack start with Williams getting away on the pin end.

Coutts crossed and covered and this was the story of the race, until halfway down the last run when Williams started to build an attack on Coutts. Sailing in more pressure and noticeably faster, China Team's spinnaker split and it was race over.

In the other matches, Team Origin had a good win over Alinghi after the America's Cup holder was forced over the start line in an uncharacteristic error.

It was intended to race back to back, however gear damage on the Emirates Team NZ boats meant that the final match of the day will have to be sailed in the BMW Oracle liveried yachts.

by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com

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Louis Vuitton Pacific Series - Upsets aplenty on day 3

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