Friday,
May 18, 2007
The
ANNOTICO Report
Despite
a broken spreader as a distraction, the
and the series that continues on Saturday, will continue to be a
nail biter.
Luna Rossa beats Americans
again to take 3-1 lead in Louis Vuitton Cup semifinals
The
By
Associated Press
May 18, 2007
VALENCIA, Spain Italian syndicate Luna Rossa went ahead early and held on to defeat U.S. entry BMW Oracle Racing on Friday to take a 3-1 lead in their best-of-nine Louis Vuitton Cup semifinal.
Emirates Team New Zealand beat Desafio Espanol in the other matchup, with the Kiwis sailing to a 42-second win over the
local favorites for a 3-1 lead in the
The semifinal winners will meet in the June 1-11 Louis Vuitton Cup final, with the winner advancing to sail against defending champion Alinghi in the America's Cup from June 23-July 4.
The fifth flight of the semifinals is scheduled for Saturday.
Luna Rossa helmsman James Spithill had dominated BMW Oracle Racing skipper Chris Dickson in the starting box through the first three flights, but Dickson used the USA-98 yacht's pace to hold the favored right side as the boats got off the line even.
Luna Rossa pushed out to a boat-length's lead on port three-quarters up the first lap when Dickson and his crew's focus shifted to its own boat as a broken spreader dangled from above. The Italians used the distraction to round the first windmarker with a 13-second lead.
As BMW Oracle Racing runner Eric Doyle moved up the mast to take down the damaged spreader, Luna Rossa crossed ahead to starboard side with a three boat-length lead on the first downwind leg.
We wanted the right-hand side at the start and everybody did a nice job of getting it, BMW Oracle Racing navigator Peter Isler said. On the long port tack, we expected a right-hand shift, but the wind was remarkably steady.
The boats went around different markers at the bottom, with the Italians' lead lessened to 12 seconds as the yachts split, with Dickson going up the left.
Dickson tacked back to the middle halfway up, but Luna Rossa tactician Torben Grael's decision to take the ITA-94 boat right worked as the lead was pushed to five lengths and the Italians rounded the final marker with a 29-second lead.
BMW Oracle Racing has not led around a marker in the series.
Dickson tried to get the team back into it with a series of gybes down the final lap, but the Americans couldn't catch the ITA-94 yacht as it crossed the line 23 seconds ahead.
In the other semifinal, the Kiwis rebounded after losing for the first time in 10 meetings against the Spanish in the third flight.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/
20070518-1036-sai-americascup.html
The
ANNOTICO Reports Can be Viewed and are Fully Archived
at:
Italia
The
ANNOTICO Reports Can be Viewed at
Italia
Mia: http://www.ItaliaMia.com
Blogspot: http://annoticoreport.blogspot.com
Annotico
Email: annotico@earthlink.net