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Alinghi shows speed and tactics on day 4 of Louis Vuitton Act 13

The sun came out and the breeze cooperated for day 4 of Louis Vuitton Act 13, with a steady 10-12 knots. Racing got underway on time at 14:15. Alinghi had a strong start in classic Valencia conditions, played the shift off the line and sailed away from the fleet to round ahead of Mascalzone Latino – Team Capitalia, their nearest competitor by 13 seconds. Downwind, the Defender struck out on starboard, jibed early and extended the lead around the bottom mark to 26 seconds over South African team, Shosholoza. The Swiss rounded the left-hand mark, cleared the on-coming fleet and worked the shifts back up the middle and out to the right extending a comfortable lead to 1 minute 6 seconds at the final top mark. In improving conditions, a reasonable swell and approx 12 knots, Alinghi led the fleet down the left hand side of the course and into the finish line, to cross 1 minute 7 seconds ahead of Mascalzone Latino – Team Capitalia in second place.

In increasing breeze, Alinghi had a bad start in race 5 and crossed behind the 11 challengers. The Defender headed out to the right regaining ground in increasing pressure to charge up the layline and round in third position, 23 seconds behind Luna Rossa Challenge, with Emirates Team New Zealand rounding in second place. Downwind, Alinghi jibed away to the right to match ETNZ and gained the advantage over the Kiwis to round the leeward mark in second place 27 seconds behind Luna Rossa Challenge.
Upwind for the final time, Alinghi stayed on the right, hunting down the Italian challenger. On the approach to the second windward mark, the Swiss team came in from the left to show big gains on LRC, but the Defender tacked too close to the Italians and incurred a penalty. Alinghi took the penalty before hoisting the spinnaker and the Kiwis slid past. Down the final leg, Alinghi kept the pressure on the leaders, lying third across the line, just16 seconds behind ETNZ in first and LR in second.

Tomorrow, Saturday, is marked up as the reserve day and will be used for two races in order to complete Louis Vuitton Act 13.

Josh Belsky, pitman, comments on the day

What were the lessons learnt today?
“It’s a lot easier on you if you can get off the starting line in the front row. In the first race we got away cleanly, Brad [Butterworth] picked the shifts right and did a great job in getting us out in front. Once you get out in front in this class you’re off. In the second race we made it harder on ourselves but we were able to scratch our way back on the first beat. We had our hands full during the whole race but it felt like the boat was going well. I can’t say enough about what a good job the afterguard did in picking our way back into it.”

A word on the boat?
“The boat’s going well, there’s no doubt about that. The key to the fleet race is to get the space to breathe and when you can, point the bow down and rumble. The guys did a great job putting us in a position where we could do that. It was a bit of an unfortunate error round the top mark the last time round. Shame on us for that but we were able to pull a third out of it. A little bit disappointing but pleased over all, a great day.”

What will you take from today into tomorrow?
“Keep doing more of the same. We’ll try to get off the line a little bit better. But the crew work was good. We’ll continue to rotate people tomorrow. We’re pleased with the way the team performed and pleased with the way the boat performed.”