Sail-World's News Louis Vuitton Pacific Series

Welcome to the 13th edition of Sail-World.com's newsletter for the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series

Day 11 of the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series marked the start of the Sailoffs and Quarter Finals - Super Tuesday where five teams would be knocked out of the competition.

The first two teams were knocked out of the competition yesterday - Greek Challenge and Team Shosholoza.

But only two of the five races scheduled were sailed today with a difficult wind refusing to settle in direction or strength

However both those were like a Christmas stocking packed with surprises.
In the first China Team and Luna Rossa almost didn't want to know each other in the pre-start. The one time they did come together, Ian Williams and America's Cup rookie and world match racing champion, extracted a penalty from the experienced America's Cup skipper, Peter Holmberg, and with a safe start, Williams and his team - who really only met at Auckland airport looked to have the race in the back.

However some very calculated moves from Holmberg accompanied by some minor errors from Williams and China Team allowed Luna Rossa to build sufficient lead for them to be able to complete a penalty and win by just 20cm.

In the second match, Team Origin trailed K-Challenge, but engaged then in a luffing duel under spinnaker, just after rounding the windward mark for the first time, and managed to eke out a penalty, when K-Challenge as the windward boat did not keep clear.

No further races were sailed due to winds which refused to settle. And it would seem as though we will have more of the same tomorrow.

In this issue we have featured graphic and photographic images of the day's action, plus coverage of the Millennium Cup regatta for Superyachts which has been running for two days and will conclude tomorrow.

Good sailing!

ends

© Scoop Media