America’s Cup World Series San Francisco - Artemis still in hunt

by Artemis Racing on 26 Aug 2012 The America’s Cup World Series Match Racing semi-finals got underway today, followed by two fleet races.

Terry Hutchinson and the crew on Artemis Racing – White lined up against Oracle Team USA Coutts in the first match race. Four-time America’s Cup winner, Russell Coutts won the pre-start and the AC45s battled around the course.

At the windward gate Coutts beat Hutchinson into the three boat length circle, protecting the American team from having to give way to Artemis on starboard.

Both boats sailed a good race, but the win went to Coutts who will now race stable mate Jimmy Spithill in the finals tomorrow.

'It was a tough day. As we expected, Russell (Coutts) was feisty in the pre-start. We left just a little too much room,' said Skipper Terry Hutchinson. 'In the fleet racing, we weren’t as quick today as we were yesterday. It was about as shifty and as tricky as you see it on San Francisco Bay at this time of year. Hats off to Jimmy and those guys who sailed well today.'

In the fleet racing Artemis Racing - White took a sixth and fourth, while Artemis Racing – Red was ninth and 11th.

Racing wraps up tomorrow with the Super Sunday final fleet race which counts for triple points.

'We definitely are in the hunt, it’s all to play for tomorrow,' said Dave Perry, Artemis Racing’s Rules Advisor.

Artemis Racing website