Alinghi 3, Oracle 0 - but only just

By JULIE ASH

The smile on the face of Alinghi skipper Russell Coutts said it all.

His Swiss syndicate had just achieved one of the most dramatic wins in the Louis Vuitton challenger series, preventing Chris Dickson's Oracle BMW Racing securing their first win in the final.

The cowbells could be heard throughout the Viaduct as the Swiss supporters celebrated their team's hard-fought victory.

Syndicate boss and navigator Ernesto Bertarelli shook hands with each team member as he stepped off the boat.

"We are happy about this win it is a huge win," he said.

Before the third race in the best-of-nine series, most were on the verge of writing the American Oracle off after dismal performances in the first two matches.

But light conditions and flat seas enabled them to put in their most competitive performance yet.

Little separated the pair around the first four marks until Oracle got a little too close and rammed Alinghi's stern.

For much of the second beat the pair were neck and neck. Not willing to give his opposition an inch, Dickson flew his protest flag no less than a dozen times on that one leg.

But it was Dickson's team who were caught out when they came from clear behind and clipped Alinghi's transom, which incurred them a penalty.

Oracle lead around the last mark and could have almost completed their penalty turn safely.

But they chose to wait until the end which was too late as Alinghi charged down their lead.

After completing their turn Oracle crossed the line one second after Alinghi.

But they clipped the mark while doing the turn and incurred another penalty which resulted in a 1min 01s victory to Alinghi.

"It was a mistake on their behalf, they just came in too close," said Coutts.

"Sometime you have to push things, and I guess they were pushing it." Coutts.

He said his team did all they could to close the gap on the Americans in the last run.

"Once they got the penalty it was a matter of keeping the game close.

"At the fifth mark they had enough lead probably to get their penalty in and I was wondering in hindsight whether they should have done it - I think they probably could have got it in."

For Oracle the loss was heartbreaking, but at least the race showed they can match the Swiss, especially in light conditions.

"I think we have been written off in a number of newspapers and today some people will realise not to write us off just yet," said Oracle strategist Tommaso Chieffi.

"Yes hindsight is a beautiful thing and yes, in hindsight we should have been more patient,' Chieffi said of the collision.

He said Oracle did not consider taking the penalty earlier.

"We thought we could gain on the run, not factoring in that the wind could die."

Three-nil up, Coutts said his team knew it was going to be tough to secure the last two wins.

"I am not sure what made them more competitive today. On paper the boats should be close. They certainly looked pretty good to me today.

"I think we could have sailed better, but a win is a win and we are happy with a win."

Race four is tomorrow. Organisers have predicted light winds.

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