Le Defi Areva fades against Prada

3.30pm

For about 30 minutes this morning, French boat Le Defi Areva looked as if it might upset the comeback plans of Prada when the America's Cup challenger series finally got under way again on the Hauraki Gulf.

In the first race of the day Le Defi, winless so far, led through the first leg of the shortened four-leg course, scraping around the first mark ahead of Prada by a few seconds only to surrender the lead on the first downwind leg.

Rod Davis, at the helm of ITA 74, had taken the pin end of the line while FRA-69 had opted for the Committee Boat end.

The French got an early lead as they headed towards the right side of the course to pick the first wind shift.

Francesco de Angelis was able to close the gap towards the end of the first beat and managed to squeeze into the inside lane at the mark rounding, five seconds behind Le Defi.

During the first spinnaker run, ITA 74 and FRA 69 sailed on parallel tracks with the French leading by one boat length. Towards the end of the leg, the
Italians decided to cross to the left of the course and were able to close the gap.

The second mark rounding was almost as close as the first, but this time it was Luna Rossa that was leading by 7 seconds.

The Italians consolidated their lead during the second and final beat, controlling each move of her opponent.

ITA 74 rounded the last mark with a comfortable 38-second advantage over Le Defi.

Luna Rossa further consolidated her lead in the last leg and crossed the finish ahead of Le Defi by 1 minute and 4 seconds.

Both boats suffered damage during the race - winch problems on Luna Rossa and mast damage on Le Defi. The crews were granted postponements of their second races of the day, which would have seen Prada against Alinghi and Le Defi against GBR.

Winds: 13-17k

Winning margin: 01.04

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