| Spain. America’s Cup Valencia Louis Vuitton Acts: Two win debut for BMW ORACLE Racing’s USA 87 |
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; "BMW ORACLE Louis Vuitton Act 10: © Gilles Martin-Raget")
| Thursday, 11 May 2006 | |
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Jacqueline Ray: BMW ORACLE Racing opened the 2006 America’s Cup Class season with two victories on the first official race outing with its new generation yacht, USA 87. Sailing took place in a light easterly breeze that fluctuated between 6 – 8 knots. The first two opponents for the recently-launched USA 87 were Team Shosholoza from South Africa and the Swedish Victory Challenge. The South African team also has a new-generation yacht and came into the Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 10 regatta with a new mast, new sails and completely restructured afterguard. Victory Challenge, whose SWE 63 yacht was very quick in light winds last year, had also made significant changes, including a completely new bow. Race One summary ¬– USA 87 gained an immediate advantage when the South African team incurred a penalty in the pre-start for gybing too close. At the start gun, BMW ORACLE Racing skipper and CEO Chris Dickson guided USA 87 across the line having gained the right hand advantage. USA 87 protected the right side throughout a downspeed duel with both boats completing a dozen tacks. The racing was kept close until USA 87 broke off from the tacking duel and went into a straightline speed mode, quickly extending to a 29 second lead at the first windward mark. The delta remained the same for the second mark rounding and both yachts were fairly even for most of the second windward leg. In the final third of the upwind leg, however, USA 87 fired up the afterburners and extended to a 47 second lead. On the run to the finish, USA 87 maintained a close cover over Team Shosholoza, safe in the knowledge that the South Africans still had to complete their penalty turn. At the finish gun, USA 87 notched up the first win of its career with a lead of 1 minute 16 seconds. Race Two Summary – BMW ORACLE Racing took charge of this race from the start and extended its lead on every leg of the course to notch up the second win of the day. On the first windward leg, USA 87 established an early lead and maintained a tight cover over the Swedish team. The racing remained within two to three boatlengths for much of the first beat, but in a tacking duel on the approach to the first mark rounding, USA 87 gained on every tack. The delta at the first mark was 39 seconds and for the remainder of the race, USA 87 was untroubled by the Swedish yacht, which has a reputation for excellent lightwind performance. The advantage for BMW ORACLE Racing extended to 48 seconds at the first leeward mark, 58 seconds at the second windward mark and 59 seconds at the finish. Quotes from Peter Isler, BMW ORACLE Racing navigator: “It was a light air day and in those conditions we have particular respect for the Swedish Victory Challenge team. It was therefore very satisfying that we were able to outsail them both in terms of speed and tactics. “Both of the teams we raced today have raised their game a lot. The South Africans were going well, which is what we expected. They have a new mast and new personnel. In that race, knowing that they had to complete a penalty turn allowed us to keep it close and maintain control. We knew that as long as we stayed ahead of them, we were safe. “It was nice to start out well and work our way back into racing. USA 87 was a very smooth, calm boat all day. The crew work was good and team owner Larry Ellison took the helm on downwind legs in both races. “In both matches we applied a tight cover over our opponents, partly because we wanted to practise sailing in that tight mode, rather than playing the windshifts, but also because it was risky to separate too much in the light breeze. “The boat was tacking well. We did a lot of downspeed tacking in light air. Generally in those conditions, the boat behind makes gains, because they can pick exactly when to tack and the leading boat has to react and cover. The fact that we were able to open up a lead, especially against the Swedish boat, was very satisfying. “The design team have done a nice job of giving us a boat that is not only quick in a straight line, but also manoeuvres very well.” Team Standings: 1 BMW ORACLE Racing (2pt) 1 Alinghi (2pt) 1 Emirates Team New Zealand (2pt) 1 Luna Rossa Challenge (2pt) 5 Desafio Espanol (1pt) 5 Areva Challenge (1pt) 5 Victory Challenge (1pt) 5 Mascalzone Latino Capitalia (1pt) 9 United Internet Team Germany (0pt) 9 +39 Challenge (0pt) 9 China Team (0pt) 9 Team Shosholoza (0pt) www.bmworacleracing.com |
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| Last Updated ( Thursday, 11 May 2006 ) |
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