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Races 4 and 5 Act 13

Posted 1 year, 8 months ago

Races 4 and 5 Act 13
Friday first race Even though the sun was out the temperature was quite fresh. First race started at 80 degrees wind direction, an expected sea breeze direction and sunshine. The wave set was around a meter and half. It was an extremely tight start with penalty turns done by New Zealand after the start and the Spanish early. Shosholoza was neck and neck with Alinghi. Alinhi 1st windwaRD leg. Boats split left and right. Left pays. Simple two jibe downwinds, mascaone 2nd place behined Alinghi. Places changed alot with Shosh back, Spanish, NZ, Areva back of the pack. Second race start was very tight with Prada and New Zealand with Alinghi being last off the line but still managed to sail through the fleet eventually even though they copped a penalty a windward mark with Prada. The Spanish and Prada tried their hand at barging but got their hands slapped. Again the weather played the salient factor while not being quite as dramatic as the other day, it was still was very shifty. Equipment and boat handling problems were an important factor as Oracle went around the last bottom mark bareheaded before dumping the spinnaker in the water. Releasing it they struggled to get a headsail up but the head got away and it was jettisoned as well. They were going for another headsail which seemed to get away from them when they reeled it in and sailed the leg with the main. The hook for the main broke on China Team which gave an ugly look before sailing off the course upwind, then with genoa only for the downwind leg. They finally finished the course with both sails but it isn't the first time teams go to any lengths just to get the point for a clean finish. Heavy rains this morning before clearing. Racing postponed for last races. Full Story »

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