America's Cup 33 Race 1 - Drama at the start Penalty on Alinghi

by www.Sail-World.com on 12 Feb 2010 Sail-World records the race as it unfolds.

Match Racing skipper Jamies Spithill on the BMW Oracle race forced Alinghi away, Protest flag on Oracle. Alinghi did not keep clear. A 270 Penalty turn is outstanding of the Swiss boat.

BMW Oracle stalled ahead of the startline and crossed almost a minute behind the Swiss boat, a 660 metre lead..
Alinghi has sailed into a soft patch.

The trimaran looks to be sailing higher than the Alinghi catamaran as she chews into her rivals lead, the distance is between them was soon less than 400 metres.

Up the course the breeze is building now, up to eight knots at the top mark.

BMW Oracle was sailing faster and higher, she hits the lead.



The sun is shining off Valencia for this third and much more promising attempt to get Race 1 of the 33rd America’s Cup away. The wind at the Committee (start) boat is now southerly (actually 170-200 ) around 2-3 knots.

Alinghi has been sailing fully powered up, in these very light conditions its obvious the Swiss team are keen to go racing, while the BMW Oracle crew aboard USA-17 has not yet gone into racing mode. The US team would plainly like to see more breeze. These conditions suit Alinghi.


There are two feeds to watch Here is the live Here is another