BMW Oracle Racing leads at the windward mark
After two fleet races of the Louis Vuitton Act 7 characterized by extreme calm, the BMW Oracle Racing team leads the overall standings after the second race has been abandoned.
In the first race, skipper Chris Dickson and the crew of the "USA-76" managed to win a remarkable victory after falling behind and catching up, when the team escaped across the finish line in a glassy sea. BMW Oracle Racing rounded the windward barrel in a midfield position. However, the decision to sail extremely far to the left side of the course brought the team a tiny breeze with which it was able to overtake the leaders and move up to first place.
"Like most of the other teams, we prepared a jibe for the last buoy," said USA-76 Navigator Ian Burns. "Eric Doyle was at the rig and he suggested we fall off when we set the spi. It turned out that was a good suggestion and we managed to overtake the rest of the fleet."
"After that we found ourselves facing a tough fight against the clock, because the 40-minute limit for completing the last lane was relentless. But finally, when only a few seconds were left, the USA-76 pushed over with the last of its strength the finish line and won."
"When the clock ran down, we didn't care too much. Instead, we tried to somehow get to the finish line. We were fully focused on getting the yacht going," said Burns.
The second race of the day was almost a copy of the first. When the wind broke completely on the last downwind course, this time Alinghi was in the lead. For BMW Oracle Racing, the demolition came in very handy at this point in time. When the Race Committee hoisted the M flag as a sign of cancellation, the Alinghi team was only about five boat lengths short of the finish line.
Team Germany rounds off the so-called "fat bin", where media representatives and officials enjoy a box seat
Thanks to a successful race to catch up, United Internet Team Germany was able to achieve a respectable success. After the "GER-72" started from last position, Jesper Bank and his crew crossed the finish line in fifth place around 12 minutes and 33 seconds after the victorious "US76".
For Alexander Krause, who was on board as a strategist, the race turned out to be a challenge. "The wind was changing all the time, and it was difficult to find the right course," said the Berliner. "I am glad that we succeeded and that we were able to start this great race to catch up."
For tomorrow's races a steadier breeze between seven and thirteen knots is predicted.