China Team bounced by Damiani Italia

by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.Com on 31 Jan 2009
The third match of the day between China Team and Damiani Italia was virtually over before it started.

After sailing deep into the start box, both boats returned to the start line, sailing up the starboard layline and slightly early.

Approaching the Committee boat Italia luffed slightly, forcing China Team helmsman and World Match Racing Champion Ian Williams above the Committee Boat.

He was forced initially to luff and then bore off under the stern of Italia to start.

Italia gained a 40 metre lead off the start line as a result and they were able to stretch their lead as helmsman Vasco Vascotto worked the shifts to perfection allowing Ian Williams to split away on occasions as China Team played catch up.

This resulted in some big separations initially of 300 metres, and then as they close to the top mark, the competitors approached from opposite laylines.

Williams picked up a break in the breeze just before he tacked for the mark, and looked like he might have pulled the cat out of the bag, but it was not to be, and the Auckland breeze shifted back on the hapless Williams who could only watch as the Italia lead stretched to over 500 metres at the top mark, which they were able to carry for the remaining two laps of the race.

Williams problems were compounded by the outgoing tide, and having to cross the tide to move from the North Head side to the windward mark located on the City side of the harbour off Orakei wharf.

Damiani Italia finished with a lead of over 440 metres and a margin of 98 seconds, and took their first win of the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series.