By JULIE ASH
Although he is sailing in different colours, Russell Coutts proved he still has an edge over Francesco de Angelis and his team when Alinghi beat Prada in the fourth day of the Louis Vuitton challenger series.
The much-awaited replay of the 2000 America's Cup showdown between Coutts and
de Angelis started late this afternoon after light winds delayed racing for nearly four hours.
The race committee gave the green light just before the cutoff time at 4pm, opting to move the course closer to the shore where the wind was averaging between 15 and 18 knots.
Coutts, who helped Team New Zealand to a 5-0 win over Prada in the last America's Cup match before switching to Ernesto Bertarelli's Swiss team, secured the favoured right-hand side of the course with little resistance from the Italians.
But the two yachts came off the start line together and in the early stages of the first beat, Luna Rossa (ITA74) showed plenty of speed.
From the leeward position, Prada was able to edge ahead of the Swiss yacht (SUI64) and after a long battle on starboard tack, Alinghi was forced to bear away first.
Prada maintained its advantage until Coutts' Alinghi swept in front after benefiting from a right-hand shift.
Alinghi rounded the first windward mark 21s ahead of Prada and never let go of the lead, finishing 1m 32s ahead of the defending Louis Vuitton Cup champions.
Coutts said the shifty conditions make it difficult to pass, favouring the leading yacht.
"It was a pretty even after the start and it really depended on who got the advantage of the breeze.
"Once we got ahead we got some nice little wind shifts."
Coutts said he was a little surprised Prada had only one win after four races.
"But on the other hand, the standard of the competition is higher this time."
He said it was too difficult to compare Prada's performance this time to when he raced them in 2000.
"They are different teams and different boats.
"I know Prada have improved. I think today's was more wind-related than anything else."
After today's racing Larry Ellison's Oracle BMW Racing, Sweden's Victory Challenge and Seattle's OneWorld Challenge, which had the bye, remain unbeaten.
Oracle clocked up an impressive win over Team Dennis Conner, Victory Challenge managed to hold off a late charge from Mascalzone Latino and GBR Challenge beat Le Defi Areva in a match marred by penalties.
Oracle helmsman Peter Holmberg said today was another great step for his team, but it was still too early and inappropriate to start celebrating just yet.
What was intended to be an all-American clash between Oracle BMW Racing (USA-76) challenging under San Francisco's Golden Gate Yacht Club burgee and the New York Stars and Stripes (USA-66) started with an afternoon sunbathing session while the teams patiently waited for the southerly sea breeze to fill in.
"It was full credit to our sailing team, who promptly jumped to attention and shifted gears when the race officials relocated our course and the southerly breeze filled in," Holmberg said.
"Additional mention must be made of Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, who did a phenomenal job at the helm, which was for most of the upwind legs."
In tomorrow's matches, Alinghi face GBR Challenge and Stars and Stripes meet OneWorld on Course Romeo.
Oracle BMW Racing go up against Victory Challenge, and Italian syndicates Prada and Mascalzone Latino square off on Course Juliet.
Light winds are expected again tomorrow.
Winds: light and shifting
Winning margin: 01.32
nzherald.co.nz/americascup
Racing schedule, results and standings
By JULIE ASH
Although he is sailing in different colours, Russell Coutts proved he still has an edge over Francesco de Angelis and his team when Alinghi beat Prada in the fourth day of the Louis Vuitton challenger series.
The much-awaited replay of the 2000 America's Cup showdown between Coutts and
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.