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3:35 AM Fri 30 Jan 2009 GMT
The first day of racing in the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series has just concluded in Auckland.
Sailed in a moderate southwesterly of up to 15kts, which blew straight down the Waitemata Harbour, the established teams carried the day, however they were given a hurry up by some of the newer players.
Pataugas K-Challenge (FRA) vs China Team (CHN)
In the opening match between Pataugas K-Challenge (FRA) and China Team (CHN) the two tested out the umpires in the prestart, and also their opponents after some pre-start jousting which became very close on occasions, the two broke off a minute before the start and setttled for a split tack start.
The French has the race under control going around the windward mark, however China Team closed in at the leeward mark, and although K-Challenge led, China Team, got a sniff of a gap at the mark, put their nose in without right of way, and were penalised.
They trailed K-Challenge for the remainder of the race, and performed their penalty before crossing the finish line.
However this was a good performance for China Team, given they were well off the pace in Valencia in 2007.
Team Origin (GBR) vs Luna Rossa (ITA)
Compared to the previous match the prestart was a close but more measured affair with two very experienced skippers looking for an advantage but not giving away a penalty. Both elected to start close to the committee boat, bow to bow at full pace. However the British started to ease away soon after the start and steadily buiolt a lead which was never threatened.
Emirates Team NZ (NZL) vs Damiani Italia Challenge (ITA)
Again this was an aggressive start as teams tesed the umpires and each other. However Emirates Team New Zealand put their mark on the race soon after the start, and eased away upwind and downwind, enjoying a handy lead around the leeward mark. The Italians worked the shifts on the second beat and closed into Emirates Team New Zealand as they neared the windward mark, forcing the New Zealanders to come across and cover on the port layline and protect their lead running into the windward mark. Although the Kiwi's lead was compressed a little, they eased away again on the run, for an easy win.
Greek Challenge (GRE) vs Alinghi (SUI)
Gavin Brady, helmsman of Greek Challenge was clearly of a mind to take it to Brad Butterworth in the prestart, and attacked quite aggressively, resulting in the second penalty of the day against Greek Challenge for hard contact (hull to hull) however Alinghi gave as good as they got and the two backed into a circling routine, which looked spectacular but really only served to burn up time. After a split tack start, Greek Challenge went out to the right, and as the came into the first cross it was clear that she had an advantage. And so the Defender of the America's Cup was forced to dip the Greeks in the first cross of their first race in competition in the America;'s Cup class.
Greek Challenge mounted a spirited attack all the way up the first beat , with Alinghi slowly forcing them out to the port layline. With Alinghi to leeward, and Greek Challenge just stacked up to windward, a drag race began, with trimming experience aboard Alinghi just allowing them to ease away slowly, and establish a lead which grew as the race progressed.
At the end of the racing, given that BMW Oracle Racing (USA) had a bye today along with Team Shosholoza (RSA), it is apparent that the more established teams still hold the upper hand in the regatta. However competition for the top four places is going to be fierce, and will get even more so after the first match tomorrow between BMW Oracle Racing (USA) and Emirates Team New Zealand, as one of the top rated teams in the competition will record their first loss.
Wind conditions are expected to be lighter tomorrow with a fresh southwesterly breeze forecast for Sunday.
by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World
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