Alinghi beats Le Defi Areva

7.30pm

It took two attempts before Alinghi (SUI-64) and Le Defi Areva (FRA-69) managed to complete today's race in the time allowed.

The first race was abandoned with Alinghi leading on the fourth leg, and when the race was restarted at 4.30pm the Swiss did not look back.

Alinghi, sailed by Russell Coutts, gybed around the committee boat as it entered the start box from that end and sailed away from the French Le Defi (FRA-69) skippered by Luc Pillot.

The final approach to the line saw the French team almost force Coutts into an uncharacteristic error as the Swiss boat was forced to luff hard to get around the committee boat on port tack with the French just to weather.

But the Swiss managed to get the right hand side and the leeward position to turn up the speed and bounce the French away to the left. The French were unable to stay in phase with the wind and the Swiss team started to pull ahead opening up a lead of just over a minute at the first mark.

The Alinghi Team showed great confidence all day in being where the wind was and often gave up a covering position to seek a better wind slant elsewhere.

The lead hovered around the 300 metres mark for the rest of the race.

Winds: light southerlies

Winning margin: 05.54

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