United Internet Team Germany's good performance

by Oliver Laskowsky on 26 Apr 2007 In the races six and seven of the Louis Vuitton Cup the United Internet Team Germany didn't manage a win inspite of a good performance. Against the Italian Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team and against Emirates Team New Zealand the team of skipper Jesper Bank couldn't do a surprising victory.

'Of course we are not relieved with the defeat, but we are happy with our performance in this race. We did our best to make it as hard as possible for our opponent', Jesper Bank said after the race against Mascalzone Latino. After the start the Germany I took the lead at first. But after the half of the first cross the Italian team managed to get in front and rounded the first mark with 22 seconds ahead. The German team didn't let this gap grow and crossed the finish line with a lag of 24 seconds.

Also in the second race against Emirates Team New Zealand the United Internet Team Germany showed a good performance but crossed the finish line 63 seconds behind the favourite. This time Jesper Bank didn’t get the right side at the start and the Kiwis took the lead. They kept it, but especially downwid the Germany I could keep up with the speed of the opponent and made up six seconds on the last downwind.

Today's races showed no surprises, all favourites won their races. So the ranking of the United Internet Team Germany didn’t change: It still is on rank nine with three points. Tomorrow only one race is on the schedule for the German team, the opponent will be Desafio Español 2007 from Spain.

Mastman Markus Koy reports: 'We are right in the middle of the Louis Vuitton Cup – we have done seven out of ten races in Round Robin 1. However it is a special day for me. It is now really getting started.
The most important reason for that is my personal situation. My arm injury which has hindered me in the beginning of the regatta has finally recovered. In order to go easy on my arm I was only on the boat for one out of two races during the last race days. This is over now. My arm is fully operational and I am back on my position as a mast man in all races.

The second reason is the wind which seems to be back in Valencia. The days of the doldrums are over and we have just had two excellent race days with perfect sailing conditions. Unfortunately we have lost both match races today. But we are happy with our efforts against the favoured teams – and we will go on and give our best to show our best performance and to reach our goals.'