Getting it Right
Luna Rossa did not tear Oracle apart in race 1, as some Italian media have it. This is not a major victory: the winds were way too squirrelly. It's a best of 9 for one reason: gifts from heaven cannot condition the result too much (hopefully).
Having said that, it is best to have a good dose of luck. And Torben Grael that has this magic about him. And Spithill to execute amazing manoeuvers, like the one at the leeward gate that allowed to cash-in on Grael's picks. Windward, some good things were seen, but unverifiable. Leeward, all doubts remain. Given the spread in courses and the confetti-like winds, it is best to have the mindset that the score is still nil-nil...
However, if the wind wants to play games, LR is ready! Today, more stable conditions are expected, but still shifting to the right over time.
* * * * *
Spithill has brilliant pre-start positionning and lays a heavy price on Dickson's agressiveness, dumping his gas on him. Two tight & violent tacks to wriggle free ends up being rather costly. And now for traditional match racing. 250m and 58 seconds delta at beat mark; now LR can really cover and measure the perfomance delta leeward.
Only 70m and 20 secondes behind, Oracle shows its power leeward (even if LR did not cover fully). Thn Oracle splits off to the left, Grael seems to have LR insist to the right. A draw. But after an interesting, exciting and penalty-free duel at the mark, the distance between the two is such that, given's Oracle's history, they should pass on the run.
The run does demonstrate Oracle's superiority downwind. Exciting, interesting, but a clear message to LR.
TNZ does another crystal-clear pre-start and takes the side they want and an early lead. Turning into a 1:15 delta after 1 beat.
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| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Totale |
| New Zealand | 1 | 1 | | | | - | - | - | - | 2 |
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| Desafío Español | 0 | 0 | | | | - | - | - | - | 0 |
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| Bmw Oracle | 0 | 1 | | | | | - | - | - | 1 |
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| Luna Rossa | 1 | 0 | | | | | - | - | - | 1 |
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