Holy! What a prestart between BMW Oracle Racing and Luna Rossa. It was dynamite.
Luna Rossa’s James Spithill had the starboard advantage, Chris Dickson port.
As Dickson has been doing he sailed really deep in the box to try and sail around his opponents bow to neutralise the advantage.
The dial-up was deep in the box to the left which meant Dickson more or less fell into a trap which Spithill took advantage off.
Dickson tried to wriggle out by gybing but got caught in a port starboard. To avoid the collision Spithill gybed on the inside which made him the windward boat.
The windward boat has to keep clear but Oracle put their stern into the Luna Rossa boat. Luna Rossa ended up in that position to avoid a collision. Even if that didn’t happen the windward boat has some protection under the rule that a right of way boat should give a boat keeping clear the opportunity to keep clear. Luna Rossa couldn’t keep clear. The result? Two penalities for Dickson.
The umpires got it spot on and that was the race. Luna Rossa extended on every leg.
Down 4-1 it is a long way back for the Larry Ellison-backed syndicate. The prognosis does not look good for Oracle in terms of strong leadership and turning it round from where they are. The body language does not look good.
As to whether they will make any crew changes? It is never a good idea in this situation.
In their match Team New Zealand looked like they wanted the right. They got a bit compressed so they trailed the Spanish over the line. The didn’t win the start but they won the side. If there was anything in it, it was slightly right and they were on the right.
What was impressive was when they went on that long starboard was how quickly the New Zeaand boat shut the Spanish down. NZL92 was off like a scalded cat. They are sailing the boat very well.
In those choppy, light conditions that black boat looks good.
Again the America’s Cup port and race course was busy with spectators today. It will be interesting tonight to see if Luna Rossa and Team New Zealand can take it out 5-1.
Those of us who are following this event certainly hope so. The idea of what will nearly be a two week break until the final is very, very appealing…
Half of me is glad that we didn’t have to face Oracle in the semis and face elimination whereas the other half wishes we had stiffer competition to prepare us for the final.
It will be interesting to see what happens when (assuming things continue as they are) Luna Rossa and TNZ face off in the finals.
Watching the races live, love listening to you Peter, since I know nothing about yachting but love sports and the technology and team work that goes into it, and seeing the men and the boat peforming g8.
Keep up the good work
Proud Kiwi
You may remember I spoke to you, by telephone, just after the end of the match-racing series in Auckland. I mentioned how Dean seemed obsessed with unnecessarily breaking cover and wandering off. That’s what allowed the Spanish to wein the one race. The penalty had nothing to do with the outcome.
However, the penalty did highlight Dean’s lack of starting prowess. I think, like the also-ran Dixon, Dean suffers nerves under pressure. A 10 nyear P-class yachtie could have told TNZ that they didn’t have to mix it with the Spanish. That Dean did, and in such a foolish way, highlighted his proclivity for getting agitated. But to then repeat what I complained to you about, and leave the Spanish to sail their own race, was unforgivable, of both Cean and the entire after-guard.
TNZ WILL be up against the Holy Grael in the finals, and Spithill will spit him out at the starts if Dean chooses to tangle right out out at the edge of the envelope.
How do we tell TNZ to be conservative in the starts, then use their sailing skills to win the days?
But hey, isn’t it great to see Dixon where he has always been scheduled…a dull second?
What’s the bet Larry kicks him as starting helmsman, tonight?
Cheers
David.
Not wanting to get into a slagging match but you just watch Dean deal to Spithill the way he has through out the encounters they’ve had over the years. Anybody that under estemates Dean Barker clearly has not followed his carrer, just ask Coutts, the man that put him in charge. Deans matchracing against Spithill in all sorts of boats has been pretty convincing. Watch this space!
Hope you’re well Peter bitch slap Martin for me when you get the chance
Dear David,
It is Dickson not Dixon. Unless we are talking about Scott?
And why is it good to see “Dixon” in second place?
Regards
Damian
PS You sound like you moan alot
David, you sound like a Canterbury rugby supporter.
Have you not noticed ETNZ is winning, starts or not. Go the REAL KIWI boys.