By JULIE ASH - 4.15pm
OneWorld Challenge eliminated their one-point deficit with a convincing win over the second Italian challenge Mascalzone Latino today.
With Australia's James Spithill at the helm, OneWorld flew over the start line with a 9s lead over Paolo Cian, who was at the helm of the Italian
boat.
Early on it was easy to see OneWorld's yacht, USA67, was streets ahead of the Mascalzone Latino's yacht, ITA72.
Mascalzone Latino is the only one-boat campaign in the challenger series, and president and skipper Vincenzo Onorato has said repeatedly that his team are not here to win the America's Cup, but for the experience and to learn.
And an experience is what they got today.
With former Team New Zealand sailors Craig Monk, Andrew Taylor, Matthew Mason, Jeremy Scantlebury and Richard Dodson on board, OneWorld, representing the Seattle Yacht Club, went around the first windward mark with a 1m 14s lead.
Their advantage was soon extended to 1m 38s at the first leeward mark, 3m 48s in the second windward mark, 4m 13s at the second leeward mark and by the third windward they were just over five minutes ahead.
OneWorld won by an impressive 5m 43s. They face Alinghi tomorrow.
Mascalzone Latino have another tough match against Oracle.
Weather: Wind from S-SW, 10-15 knots, increasing to 15-20 knots. Cloudy sky with scattered showers.
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