BMW ORACLE Racing wins a tight battle

BMW ORACLE Racing wins a tight battle; Kiwis remain unbeaten

Valencia, 4 May, 2007 - BMW ORACLE Racing won the battle of the top teams over Luna Rossa Challenge in Flight 5, but the Italians recovered to win in Flight 6, climbing back to equal first place on points with the American team, who had a Flight 6 bye.

Just one point adrift is Emirates Team New Zealand. Two wins by the Kiwis Friday sees them as the only unbeaten team in Round Robin Two. At the other end of the spectrum, +39 Challenge remains winless in Round Robin Two, the only team yet to take a race.

Racing took place in classic Valencia sea breeze conditions with 10 to 12 knot winds from the Southeast powering the Cup boats up and down the race course. The forecast for Saturday calls for slightly lighter sea breeze conditions.

FLIGHT 5

BMW ORACLE Racing and Luna Rossa came into what was called the match of the day equal on points at the top of the leaderboard. Luna Rossa took an early lead up the first beat, although USA 98 was never far behind.

Down the run the Americans found better breeze on the right to draw almost level with the Italians at the leeward gate. James Spithill opted for the left mark, Chris Dickson the right, and USA 98 hooked into some better breeze on its side of the course. For the third race in a row, the American boat came from behind and, once ahead, never relinquished the lead, taking the win by 19 seconds.

Desafío Español 2007 gave Emirates Team New Zealand plenty to think about up the first beat, as the boats traded numerous tacks. However Dean Barker was first to the layline and he controlled the Spanish for the remainder of the match, easing away to a 43 second win.

The other three matches were largely decided at the start. Victory Challenge nearly squeezed United Internet Team Germany out at the Race Committee boat and, although Jesper Bank found a gap, he was forced to tack away for clear air. When the boats came back together, Magnus Holmberg was comfortably ahead.

Jes Gram-Hansen steered Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia aggressively in the pre-start, pushing +39 Challenge over the line by just a fraction of a second. Iain Percy bore away to restart, but in the process the Umpires judged +39 to have infringed Mascalzone Latino. By the time +39 helmsman Percy restarted, with a penalty against him, there was no chance of taking the fight to Mascalzone, who posted an easy win.

China Team led Shosholoza into the start of their match, but inexplicably Pierre Mas kept steering for the line even when it was clear they would break the line early. They crossed three seconds early, and by the time they restarted, the South Africans were long gone up the race track, taking the win by 2 minutes 1 second.

FLIGHT 6

Shosholoza and Emirates Team New Zealand had a bit of a tussle in the pre-start, but at the start gun they both came off the line at speed, the South Africans slightly faster. The teams exchanged a number of tacks up the first beat, with the Kiwis gaining the slightest of advantages as the leg progressed. At the first mark Dean Barker's crew led by just 10 seconds as Mark Sadler and his crew kept up the pressure. It was a tight match all the way round, but the Kiwis held their nerve to win by 29 seconds.

Victory Challenge was nearly shut out at start, as Iain Percy looked to squeeze the +39 Challenge boat up to the Swedes and send them the wrong side of the Race Committee boat. That didn't quite happen but Magnus Holmberg sought refuge in an early tack, and found salvation with good breeze on the right. Superior speed carried the Swedes to an untroubled victory.

United Internet Team Germany kept the match with Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia tight, but the Italians never really looked threatened. There were easy wins too for Luna Rossa over Areva Challenge, and more than a kilometre's lead for Desafío Español against China Team

Louis Vuitton Cup - Friday's matches

FLIGHT 5

Match

Team

Delta

1

Victory Challenge beat United Internet Team Germany

1:18

2

BMW ORACLE Racing beat Luna Rossa Challenge

0:19

3

Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team beat +39 Challenge

2:07

4

Team Shosholoza beat China Team

2:01

5

Emirates Team New Zealand beat Desafío Español 2007

0:43

Bye - Areva Challenge

FLIGHT 6

Match

Team

Delta

1

Luna Rossa Challenge beat Areva Challenge

1:16

2

Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team beat United Internet Team Germany

0:34

3

Victory Challenge beat +39 Challenge

1:03

4

Desafío Español 2007 beat China Team

3:45

5

Emirates Team New Zealand beat Team Shosholoza

0:29

Bye - BMW ORACLE Racing

Louis Vuitton Cup - Round Robin Two - Provisional Leaderboard

Position

Team

Points - End of RR1

Matches Sailed RR2

Matches Won RR2

Total Points

1

BMW ORACLE Racing (USA 98)

21

5

4

29

1

Luna Rossa Challenge (ITA 94)

19

6

5

29

3

Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL 92)

18

5

5

28

4

Desafío Español 2007 (ESP 97)

17

4

3

23

5

Victory Challenge (SWE 96)

14

6

4

22

6

Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia (ITA 99)

14

4

2

18

7

Team Shosholoza (RSA 83)

        12

6

2

        16

8

Areva Challenge (FRA 93)

9

5

2

13

9

+39 Challenge (ITA 85)

6

5

0

6

10

United Internet Team Germany (GER 89)

3

6

1

5

11

China Team (CHN 95)

1

6

1

3

______________

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Since 1851, the America's Cup has transcended the sport of sailing to become a symbol of the pursuit of excellence. Offical partners LOUIS VUITTON, ENDESA, SANTANDER, ALCATEL - LUCENT and the America's Cup share a heritage rich in passion, innovation and extraordinary achievement. The 32nd America's Cup enjoys the support of Nespresso, Adecco, Ford, El Corte Inglés, Estrella Damm, Grupo Leche Pascual, Coca-Cola and Vodafone.

Racing for the 32nd America's Cup began with a series of Louis Vuitton Acts in 2004, 2005 and 2006 across Europe. It will end in 2007. Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 13 - Fleet Racing - (April 3 to 7) preceded the Louis Vuitton Cup challenger selection series (April 16 - June 12). The winner will race the Defender, Alinghi, in the 32nd America's Cup Match beginning June 23, 2007.

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