BMW Oracle Racing and Italian syndicates Luna Rossa and Mascalzone Latino enjoyed two wins each as the America's Cup challengers series started on Friday after four days becalmed.
After unsuitable wind postponed the first eight races, organizers and the commission representing the 11 teams decided to restart the first Louis Vuitton Cup round robin. Originally scheduled to finish tomorrow, it will end next Friday, weather permitting.
The Americans led from start to finish and sailed to easy wins over United Internet Team Germany and China Team.
Owner Larry Ellison took the helm as Oracle crossed the finish line two minutes ahead of the Germans.
"We could not have asked for a better way to start the Louis Vuitton Cup," BMW Oracle Racing navigator Peter Isler said.
High marks
"The big question today was how would everybody react after four days of no racing and waiting for the wind. I think we got high marks for that," he said.
Luna Rossa also had a comfortable victory against the Chinese before beating Victory Challenge of Sweden by one minute, seven seconds.
Mascalzone Latino showed its third-place finish in the Louis Vuitton Act 13 was no fluke after edging Emirates Team New Zealand by 15 seconds. The Neapolitan team led from the start after tacking to a right-hand course, before enduring a nervy finish.
``We did execute what we wanted to do off the starting line, it just turned out it was the wrong play,'' Emirates Team New Zealand strategist Terry Hutchinson said.
The Italians then beat French boat Areva Challenge to move into a three-way tie atop the standings.
"I hope the [challengers] take us seriously," Mascalzone Latino strategist Jes Gram-Hansen said. "It's a good result for the confidence but we have a good boat and good sailing team so we feel we have a good chance of getting to the semi-finals."
Pre-start penalty
After a bye in the first race, Spanish team Desafio Espano managed to overcome a pre-start penalty to beat +39 Challenge of Italy, which also lost to Areva Challenge by 1:09.
Shosholoza of South Africa recovered from a defeat in their first to Victory Challenge to win against United Internet Team Germany.
The South Africans and Chinese are the first teams from Africa and Asia to sail in the America's Cup.
The Kiwis, who had a bye for the second race, had a tough match against Luna Rossa in yesterday's opening race.
The Louis Vuitton Cup, which runs through June 11, will decide which of the challengers will sail against America's Cup champion Alinghi in the final from June 23-July 4.
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