By JULIE ASH
The second round of the Louis Vuitton Challenger series starts today and the pressure is on Mascalzone Latino and Le Defi Areva.
In a fortnight, nine will become eight as one of the challengers drops out of the race to decide who will challenge Team New Zealand for
the America's Cup.
The final race in the first round between Italian syndicates Mascalzone Latino and Prada was postponed for the third time yesterday because of strong winds.
It will now take place on a shortened course this morning at 10.30 before the first flight of the second round.
While OneWorld, Alinghi, Oracle BMW Racing, Team Dennis Conner, GBR Challenge and Prada will battle it out for the top four spots, at the bottom of the table the next eight races are do-or-die for Le Defi and Mascalzone Latino.
And although every race is going to be tough, the pair could not have asked for a harder start to the second round.
Le Defi face Alinghi and Mascalzone Latino meet OneWorld.
During the break between rounds, Le Defi's FRA69 was subject to modifications, which sailing manager Pierre Mas described as "evolutionary, not revolutionary".
"Now we are better armed," he said. "The boat can only go fast if the people who built it and the people who sail it work together. That is what we have done and the first sailings in the gulf were very encouraging.
"We believe we have what it takes to qualify for the quarter-finals."
French designer Philippe Pallu de la Barriere said the modifications aimed to improve the speed of the boat downwind.
"A fast boat takes hard work and sweat," Pallu de la Barriere said.
The mast damaged in Le Defi's last race against Stars and Stripes has been replaced, but repairs will not be completed until the end of the second round.
Mascalzone Latino steadily improved in the first round and are confident this round will bring "much closer racing and more winning opportunities."
Like the other eight syndicates, Mascalzone Latino have also modified their boat, introducing a new rudder and changes to the sails.
Mascalzone Latino designer Giovanni Ceccarelli said he was pleased with the work carried out.
"Mascalzone Latino proved to be a competitive boat in comparison with at least 50 per cent of the fleet racing in the gulf in a wind range of up to 15 knots," Ceccarelli said.
"It is a fast boat on downwind legs in any different wind conditions."
Like the French, the Italians are desperate not to be the first team home.
"Of course, being the first eliminated isn't a dream," said Mascalzone Latino helmsman Paolo Cian.
"Someone has to go out at the end of this round and it will be a tough race with the French team.
"In the Six Nations rugby, Italy v France is one of the very best matches you can see, and I think it will be like this."
After their race against Mascalzone Latino, Prada face Oracle BMW Racing on Course Romeo, while Team Dennis Conner are up against GBR Challenge on Course Juliet.
Prada are waiting for the America's Cup arbitration to answer their query relating to the residency of their former head of design, Doug Peterson.
According to the cup protocol, now that Peterson's contract with Prada has been terminated the American must return to Italy, since he is neither sailing nor designing with the team, and stay there until the first race of the America's Cup match.
Prada have recommended that once "a challenger's [or the defender's] multiple nationality designer ceases to be engaged neither the challenger nor the designer has any ongoing protocol obligations beyond the date of termination."
Today's forecast is for light south-westerly winds, increasing to 12 to 15 knots in the afternoon.
nzherald.co.nz/americascup
Racing schedule, results and standings
By JULIE ASH
The second round of the Louis Vuitton Challenger series starts today and the pressure is on Mascalzone Latino and Le Defi Areva.
In a fortnight, nine will become eight as one of the challengers drops out of the race to decide who will challenge Team New Zealand for
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