Alinghi come back to make it 2-all

June 27, 2007

After their two wins in a row, Emirates Team New Zealand thought they were on a roll. But Alinghi came back strongly today, holding the lead for the entire race and passing the finish line half a minute ahead of the Kiwis.

Alinghi were quick off the mark and won the right hand side of the course, handing them a 1-2 boatlength lead in no time. NZ tried many times to close the gap but none of their efforts had much effect. The Swiss kept their cool and held an almost constant lead of 3-4 boatlengths throughout the match.

The competition is heating up, with each team winning 2 races in the first-to-5 series. Bring it on!

Issues with SUI 100?

June 27, 2007

It seems that Alinghi's win today may be contested. Rumours have surfaced that Alinghi's yacht SUI 100 is in violation of an America's Cup rule stating that it must be possible to drop the mainsail without sending a man up the mast. In a spot check by the race measurement committee shortly after the finish of todays match, Alinghi were unable to drop the mainsail without sending one of their men up the mast to unbuckle a halyard lock. An official announcement by the race committee is expected sometime on thursday morning.