Swiss advance as Prada fold

By JULIE ASH

Alinghi completed an unimpeded march into the semifinals last night, and Oracle are within touching distance of following suit after a dramatic day on and off the water.

Hours after Russell Coutts had led the Swiss Alinghi syndicate to a 3-0 lead over Prada in the Louis Vuitton series, the Italians announced they were conceding the best-of-seven rubber.

That drops the 2000 America's Cup match finalists into the quarter-final repechage, where they will race against one of the two winners from the bottom four pool - most likely Victory Challenge or either GBR Challenge or Team Dennis Conner.

Yesterday's losing margin to Alinghi was a mere 8s, but it capped a dispiriting three days for the Italians, who have pushed the Swiss hard each time, without being able to finish the job off.

As for Oracle, they moved into a 3-0 lead over OneWorld and continue their dramatic progress.

In the other two races, Conner's team took a 2-1 lead over the British, while the curtain looks set to come down on the French campaign, as Le Defi Areva were well beaten by Victory Challenge and must win four on the trot to stay in Auckland.

Alinghi syndicate head and navigator Ernesto Bertarelli fronted up to his first media conference yesterday and said his team were far from relaxed.

"We felt a lot of pressure. The last three races have been full on. Prada are a very good team. The more we sail them the more we see how much they improve."

At least that was the case before last night's unexpected development.

"Right now it is working well," Bertarelli said. "The team are very balanced. There is nice cohesion in the team."

He said he was enjoying his first America's Cup campaign.

"I wouldn't do it otherwise - it is expensive enough.

"I have been very lucky that the management of the team has been very strong with Russell [Coutts] and Michel [Bonnefous]. I don't have to do much.

"I enjoy the sailing and doing my job on board. I get told off when I make a mistake and I am pleased when I do something right.

"The reason I haven't come here [to the press conference] because Alinghi are a team and so far there are others that have done more than I have and they deserve to be seen more."

OneWorld got to the first mark 8s ahead of Oracle, but their resurgent fellow Americans flew downwind to round the second mark 12s ahead and from then on their lead was never threatened. It was Oracle's 10th successive win since Dickson's return.

"We are getting the results right now but there are a large number of areas we can do better," Dickson said. "We are making every effort not only to get the points on the scoreboard, but to look at where we are going next and how we can do better.

"We know we've got a good boat and a good team."

Dickson hinted that the last had not been seen of Oracle boss Larry Ellison on the water.

"You'll definitely see more of Larry on board. We have made some afterguard rotation. We have tried some different things this round with Tomasso Chieffi and John Cutler.

"Larry is the strongest part our team. He is one of the world's most successful businessmen. Yacht racing is not that different to business. It is about decision-making. We benefit hugely when Larry is on the boat and off the boat."

OneWorld navigator Kevin Hall said his team remain upbeat.

"We are very confident we can beat them if we sail as well they have been sailing in the last few days."

As for the French, even a win today may be no more than delaying the inevitable. Le Defi Areva helmsman Philippe Presti said his team will not approach today's race any differently. "We are trying to do our best every day. I think it will be a tough race but everyone is focused on doing the job better."

Winds of 15-24 knots are predicted today. Racing is due to start at 1.15pm.

nzherald.co.nz/americascup

Racing schedule, results and standings