Unheralded Italia Challenge earned a surprise win over hosts Team New Zealand yesterday in the Pacific Series sailing regatta for America’s Cup teams.
Team New Zealand passed unbeaten through the first round-robin phase of the regatta, but was forced to lower its colors when it lost by 14 seconds to Cup racing newcomers Italia Challenge on the first day of the second stage.
America’s Cup-holder Alinghi avenged its loss to Britain’s Team Origin in round-robin racing by winning the rematch by 15 seconds.
PHOTO: AFP
Team Origin led around the first three marks, but by only two seconds at the weather mark on the last lap. On the last run, downwind Alinghi charged over the top.
In the other Gold Fleet race, San Francisco’s Oracle Racing beat Italy’s Luna Rossa by 58 seconds, leading from start to finish.
Team New Zealand was outsailed by the Italian challenge, which led around all marks.
The New Zealanders had the advantage of starboard entry in the pre-start and skipper Dean Barker used that advantage to chase opposing helmsman Francesco Bruni around the box before settling for a clean start leeward of the Italians.
There followed the first serious tacking duel of the regatta, with each crew throwing in 12 tacks, before the Italian team reached the top mark 11 seconds ahead. The Italians held off Barker over the remaining three legs of the race.
China Team had its first win of the regatta, by 55 seconds over Team Shosholoza of South Africa, while France’s K-Challenge beat the Greek Challenge by 27 seconds.
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