3.30pm
The Russell Coutts-skippered Alinghi comfortably beat the second Italian team Mascalzone Latino by 2min 11sec in Louis Vuitton Cup racing on the Hauraki Gulf this morning.
Alinghi led throughout but Mascalzone were able to narrow the Swiss lead by 3sec on the first downwind leg, cutting it to 50sec. But that
was the Italians' best showing of the race. By the third mark, they were 1min 57sec behind.
The pre-start was very tame, starting in wind conditions in the upper limits of 17 knots. Alinghi controlled the start and helmsman Vincenzo Onorato was reluctant to engage the Swiss in the typical circling and battle for control. The boats hit the line simultaneously, with Alinghi to the right of Mascalzone Latino.
The breeze was shifty during the first beat, and the Swiss led the Italians with a delta at the first mark of 53 seconds. Then the wind stabilised at 15 to 18 knots from the southwest. The Italians made up three seconds on the downwind run and rounded the first leeward mark only 50 seconds behind.
For the rest of the race, Alinghi relentlessly extended on the chasing boat, leading at the second windward mark by 1.47.
Alinghi's second race of the day, Flight 4 against Prada Challenge, was cancelled. The Italians reported winch problems that developed during their first match against the French team Areva, a race that Prada won.
Winds: SW 15k
Winning margin: 02.11
- NZPA
nzherald.co.nz/americascup
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