Editorial: A wakeup call for New Zealand

 
 
21 Apr 2007

Editorial: A wakeup call for New Zealand

Welcome to Sail-World.Com’s America’s Cup Newsletter for Day 5 of the Louis Vuitton Cup.

Today, contrary to a lot of predictions, was the first day of racing in the Louis Vuitton Cup, and it is great to see this milestone passed.

The sense of relief did not last too long for the Kiwi spectators, as they watched their pride and joy fall behind the ITA-90 Mascalzone Latino, after probably winning the start. But the Italians soon bounced off to the right hand side of the course, picked up what looked to be a stronger breeze and quickly clocked up a big lead.

Emirates Team NZ got back into contact with them a couple of times, and was even ahead at one point on the second leg, but could not consolidate this position as the Italians stuck like glue to the right hand side of the course, upwind.

Downwind ITA-90 was content to play out the game, judiciously spending their lead to protect their position. And, were clearly sailing for the win points and not the margin, putting money in the bank when they were able and spending it when required.

All in all, it was a very well executed race by the Italians, and a good sailing lesson for the Kiwis.

To be fair the Italians did finish in second place behind Emirates Team New Zealand in Act 13, and may have a lot more gas in the tank, than they have previously been given credit.

The short course does not offer to many passing lanes. But Emirates Team NZ did not have a speed edge with NZL-92, and when stuck with the poorer side of the course had few options or answers to the superb tactics of the Italians.

Earlier in the day, the Challengers met and sorted their race schedule out, to something that is understandable and effectively has been reset back to Day 1 and Match 1. Further meetings are currently underway to sort out the detail and options in the racing schedule.

Good sailing!

Richard Gladwell
NZ Editor

By nzeditor@sail-world.com

Fisher's View: Oops - Racing has begun
By Bob Fisher,
At last! After four interminably long windless days, racing began today in the Louis Vuitton Cup and in the scheduled first match of the first flight of Round Robin One came the first shock - a defeat for Emirates Team New Zealand by the ‘Latin Rascals’, the ebullient Mascalzone Latino team.... [more]

Louis Vuitton Cup gets underway to opening shock for Kiwis
By Richard Gladwell,
The first race in the 2007 Louis Vuitton Cup has got underway off Valencia on the Juliet course, with BMW Oracle Racing sailing against United Internet Team Germany.... [more]

Emirates: Racing starts but not the way we wanted
By Warren Douglas, Emirates Team New Zealand,
Racing finally got underway today with NZL 92 losing its first race to the fast improving Italian challenge of Mascalzone Latino. Mascalzone Latina was second challenger behind Emirates Team New Zealand in the Act 13 fleet regatta earlier this month.... [ more]

Race for the Auld Mug has started
By China Team,
China Team was defeated by two to the big favourites, Luna Rossa Challenge and BMW Oracle. Mascalzone Latino created the first big sensation in doing away with Team New Zealand in a tight match.... [more]

Allianz hosts Cup video launch and a birthday
By Tom Ehman, BMW Oracle Racing,
We've often said that one the best websites for an inside perspective on AC2007 is the BMW Oracle Racing weblog, operated by Tom Ehman who is vastly experienced in most things to do with the America's Cup.... [more]

Quotes of the Day: Louis Vuitton Cup - Day 5
By America's Cup Media,
Gavin Brady, Tactician, BMW Oracle Racing on their two walk-overs today: 'It was one of those days when you were trying to sail really conservatively, and sometimes when you sail that way you sail your best. Our weather team nailed it today and got all the shifts dead right before the start. We just wanted to get 98 out in front and then just stay between our opposition and the mark, because today was definitely a day not to take any risks otherwise.... [more]

Double victory for Luna Rossa in Louis Vuitton Cup
By Luna Rossa Media,
After a four day delay round robin 1 of the Louis Vuitton Cup got underway in Valencia. At the start of the weather conditions on the course saw calm seas, partially cloudy skies and a 7-11 knot breeze from the east – south – east.... [more]

BMW ORACLE Racing puts first points on the board
By Jane Eagleson, BMW Oracle Racing,
BMW ORACLE Racing opened its account in the 2007 Louis Vuitton Cup with two convincing wins in Valencia today. After losing four days of racing through lack of wind, the pattern was interrupted enough for organisers to complete two full flights of matches today.... [more]

German team succumbs to BMW Oracle Racing
By Oliver Laskowsky, United Internet Team Germany,
The teams had to wait for four days at the Louis Vuitton Cup – now the match races have started. The United Internet Team Germany had a good start in the race against the US-team BMW Oracle Racing, however did not manage to win.... [more]

Louis Vuitton Cup - A fresh start and upsets
By ACM / GJN,
First day of racing in the Louis Vuitton Cup and first upset when Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team beat Emirates Team New Zealand. Mascalzone leading off the line and going right, Team NZL had no answer and the Italian team finished 15 seconds ahead at the line... [more]

America´s Cup is Rebooted
By ACM,
After loosing the first four days of racing in the Louis Vuitton Cup because of no wind, the schedule has been revised to restart the regatta from today (Friday 20 April). A meeting this morning between Regatta Director Dyer Jones and representatives of the eleven teams competing in the Louis Vuitton Cup agreed to 'reboot' the regatta, starting today with Flights 1 and 2... [more]

2007 America's Cup

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