China Team savours first victory over BMW Oracle

by China Team on 1 May 2007
China Team takes its first victory in the Louis Vuitton Cup and against no less than the leader.....Oracle. Longtze crossed the line 3 minutes 34 seconds in front of the favorite. Magnificent!!!

The first windward leg is where the duel is played out. Oracle, the big favorite to win the Louis Vuitton Cup, is very aggressive in the pre-start. China Team, with nothing to lose, defends its self on equal terms. The battle between the 'big' and 'small' gets off to roaring start. Oracle sailed the Chinese up to the committee boat, and Longtze was just able to squeeze through, with Oracle crossing the line one-boat length ahead.

The separation increased slowly, 50 meters, 100 meters. A few seconds later, it is unbelievable, China Team is in the lead with 200 meters advance, 250 meters, 300 meters. What has happened? Oracle, the indestructible, sees the genoa put out of the foil, flying around out of control. This is the second time the American boat has had the genoa come out of the head foil; China Team is now 1000 meters ahead, the American boat sails with only their mainsail. China Team will lead by up to 1400 meters in front of the American and pass the first windward mark with a comfortable 5 minute 24 second advantage. Oracle tries to come back and put on a little pressure. They take back 600 meters on the next to last leg. For their part, the Longtze crew take care not to break anything themselves… crossing the line as winners! What sweet victory!

Pierre MAS, skipper
'We didn't steal this victory, Oracle gave it to us. It was a good day to recoup some confidence in the boat after three days in the boatyard!'

Jeremy KOO, trimmer
'They were very aggressive during the start. They slowed us down alot next to the committee boat and we tacked over to the right of the course.Oracle covered us closely, in staying to windward of us. We stayed in contact, within two to three boat lengths behind! I didn't see exactly what happened with their boat. When that happened, I was concentrating on my work on board. It was Sébastien (ndr Destremau, tactician) who let us know and told us to stay concentrated on the racecourse and sail cleanly. So that is what we did, trying not to make any errors, be sure of our maneuvers. It's great, it is my second day on the water today!'

www.china-team.org

[Sorry, this content could not be displayed]
[Sorry, this content could not be displayed]
[Sorry, this content could not be displayed]
[Sorry, this content could not be displayed]