BMW Oracle Racing beats China Team. Yi Han

by China Team on 16 May 2006 At the end of a day once again upset by fickle winds, CHINA TEAM enters port with a null result, after a super regatta against the German Challenger. A little earlier, Pierre Mas and his crew succumbed to the fierce law of BMW Oracle Racing. Yi Han! (It’s a shame!) )

With the evening setting in, the light and instable wind stole away the breeze and time from the sailing teams. Despite a Swiss organizer, the starts got delayed and both on the water and on shore, everyone starts to got impatient, chomping at the bit.

The first match put CHN79 in the front lines against, with their brand new boat USA87, BMW Oracle, the fleet leader. No miracles, the American showed all of their competitive skills and carried the match.

The second regatta of the match was more of a fight. Against the Germans, the Chinese team carried out an excellent start crossing the line just as the gun went off then went shooting off to the left side of the course. The Danish skipper Jesper Bank wouldn’t let go of CHN79 and the two boats entered into a long drag race to the lay line. Side by side for a long time, the red dragon rouge stayed in front of the white boat only for few seconds before being passed. The spread remained the same the rest of the course, one which China Team was not able to reel in.

After five days of racing, Oracle lost the title of being the undefeated team. For a replay of the last Louis Vuitton Cup final, Alinghi has won again and returns to the top of the results classification.


Results of the day

Flight 8
Match 1 Luna Rossa Challenge 1-0 Areva Challenge
Match 2 United Internet Team Germany 0-1 Desafío Español 2007
Match 3 Team Shosholoza 0-1 Alinghi
Match 4 China Team 0-1 BMW ORACLE Racing
Match 5 Emirates Team New Zealand 1-0 Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team
Match 6 Victory Challenge 1-0 +39 Challenge


Flight 9
Match 1 Areva Challenge 0-1 Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team
Match 2 +39 Challenge Live Team Shosholoza
Match 3 United Internet Team Germany 1-0 China Team
Match 4 Luna Rossa Challenge 1-0 Victory Challenge
Match 5 Emirates Team New Zealand 1-0 Desafío Español 2007
Match 6 Alinghi 1-0 BMW ORACLE Racing