Race six mark by mark

By TERRY MADDAFORD

START: Another delay as the wind built to around 8 knots from the north for the 3pm start. In a close encounter of the yachting kind, Oracle copped a penalty for a port-starboard infingement. The boats started at opposite ends of the line. Margin: even.

MARK ONE: After Alinghi, to the right, took an early advantage away from the start line but lost that 10m in tacking. Oracle were able to build speed on the left going out to four or five boat lengths at one stage. The Swiss closed in the race to the mark but still trailed. Margin: Oracle by 15s.

MARK TWO: With a good [spinnaker] set, Oracle away well from the top mark in seas made flat by the incoming tide and light breezes. Forced to follow, Alinghi gybed a couple of times which brought an instant response from USA76 as they built the lead to beyond 100m and held that advantage around the leeward mark. Margin: Oracle by 28s.

MARK THREE: With Cameron Dunn still up the mast and calling the shots, Oracle continue to build their lead - out to 150m midway down the upwind leg at which point the lead and separation between them and Alingi raised suggestions that it might be close to the time to undergo the penalty. But the wind quickly favoured Alinghi who closed to within half a boat length as they came together and eventually sneaked ahead. Margin: Alinghi by 10s.

MARK FOUR: Good hoists on both boats as Alinghi, for the first time, led away from a mark but with Oracle in close pursuit. Sailing on opposite gybes, Alinghi stretched their lead to 80m and more. Approaching from different sides, Alinghi first around, more than doubling their lead. Margin: Alinghi by 24s.

MARK FIVE: Comfortably ahead away from the mark, Alinghi continued to dictate. Soon in the windward position, Russell Coutts and his crew had no trouble in keeping Chris Dickson and Oracle where he wanted them as both boats, on starboard tack, headed towards the top mark on the final beat to windward in nine knots of breeze.

MARK SIX: For most of the run to the finish, Coutts was in control. Determined to mount one last charge, Dickson closed it up but with a hole threatening to rip his spinnaker in two, he had to back off allowing Alinghi to cross the line while Oracle contemplated their still-outstanding penalty which they eventually undertook. Margin: Alinghi by 2m 34s.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "This is the race guys" - Oracle helmsman Peter Holmberg as he approached mark four behind Alinghi.

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