Stars & Stripes helmsman Ken Read came up against Alinghi helmsman Russell Coutts this afternoon for the first time in America's Cup Class racing, and the outcome was decided before Stars & Stripes crossed the start line.
The Swiss boat (Sui-64) was to windward of the American yacht (USA-66) on starboardas both headed back to the start line with about 30 seconds to go.
When the gun sounded, Read tried to escape the cover of Coutts by tacking to port. Coutts covered, forcing Read into a downspeed tack to starboard before he even crossed the start line.
Coutts continued his speed build on port. When he tacked to starboard to cover he was 20 metres ahead.
Coutts kept protecting the starboard tack advantage during an early tacking duel, then started sailing to the shifts.
Alinghi led by 41 seconds at the windward mark, and although Stars & Stripes held even or made up time on the runs, it was never enough to threaten Alinghi's lead.
