HEADING TOWARDS THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2013

The dates and venues for the first season of the new America’s Cup World Series will be announced in early 2011. The next Louis Vuitton Cup will be held in the Summer of 2013. Significantly this will mark the 30th anniversary of Australia II’s famous Louis Vuitton and America’s Cups wins in 1983. The Louis Vuitton Cup and America's Cup Finals will feature the AC72 wing-masted catamaran, a ground-breaking new boat designed to deliver unparalleled racing competition and on-the-water excitement.

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1550 Emirates Team NZ round the top mark for the final time with a 23 second lead

1549 BMW Oracle get their berth in the finals

1545 BMW Oracle Racing suffers a luff down the luff of the genniker and go for a peel (the first we have seen this regatta). Vv nice maneouvre, the string drop system sucking the genniker down below in just a couple of seconds 

1543 As per the forecast there has been a right shift. BMW Oracle Racing lead around the top mark with a 58 seconds lead. It is looking like neither series today is going to go beyond two races...

1540 Emirates Team NZ cross ahead of Mascalzone by 130m allowing the Italians to take the left up this first half of the second beat

1538 Emirates Team NZ round the port leeward gate mark and immediately tack. Mascalzone round the opposite mark, 15 seconds behind, and continue on off to the right, 

1532 Further up the course, BMW Oracle round the starboard downwind gate mark, All4One following 26 seconds astern. 

1530 The Kiwis round 14 seconds ahead. 

1528 At the layline Mascalzone Latino are ahead but are slow to tack and Emirates Team NZ on starboard nail them for failing to keep clear. The Italians are penalised. Major error on their part

1525 Big split between Emirates Team NZ and Mascalzone, both neck and neck but with the Italians on the right. At the cross the Italians are ahead and cross ahead allowing Emirates Team NZ to take the right

1522 BMW Oracle Race lead the Italians around the top mark 8 seconds ahead

1521 Meanwhile Mascalzone Latino attempt to get the hook on the Kiwis. Mascalzone tack away on to port and might just lay the committee boat. The Kiwis take the pin, bow forward - split tack start

1519 V close up the beat between BMW Oracle and All4One. Approaching the weather mark the US team are half a boat length ahead both boats heading towrads the port layline. 

1517 Emirates Team NZ and Mascalzone come in. Dial up boats going backwards. Mascalzone tack away. The Kiwis follow them

1515 BMW Oracle duck the transom of All4One. All4One tack on top of them but are forced to tack away on to starboard

1514 BMW Oracle nail the pin and tack while All4One are slow off the committee boat end of the line. 

1513 All4One trails BMW Oracle back to the line with the Americans up to weather. Small luff to lose speed

1512 Col peels away on port. BMW Oracle follow, not as aggressively as in the previous race

1511 All4One coming in from the right this time. Dial up with All4One slightly aft of BMW Oracle Racing

1507 One minute to the warning signal. Both crews have swapped boats. 

1503 Getting there for starting the sequence for the second round of semi-finals.  

1434 Emirates Team NZ claim their first semi-final point, despite a valiant effort by the Italians. Final delta 28 seconds

1429 Up the course, All4One caught up with BMW Oracle Racing during their tacking duel to round the top mark for the second time 18 seconds ahead but are unable to close further on the last run.  Final delta 18 seconds. 

1428 Emirates Team NZ overlaid and with the shift they thunder into the mark to cross clear ahead of Mascalzone, rounding 13 seconds ahead. 

1427 Emirates Team NZ pick up a nice LH shift on the port layline, launching them back into the lead. Mascalzone will be on starboard when the two boats come back together 

1423 The two boats come back together and Brady's Italian team edge ahead. Emirates Team New Zealand is forced to tack under them. Both head up to the port layline with the Italians regaining the lead. Emirates Team NZ luffs and Mascalzone is forced to tack away. 

1422 Emirates Team NZ tack back, both boats now heading for the right with a large separation, but both boats neck and neck

1421 At the gate they cross, Mascalzone ducking the Kiwi transom, Emirates Team NZ taking the left. 

1419 Emirates Team NZ and Mascalzone neck and neck up the first part of the upwind. 

1418 Tacking duel halfway up upper reaches of the second upwind between BMW Oracle Racing and All4One with the Americans 45m ahead still

1415 Mascalzone Latino are forced to gybe take the port hard leeward gate mark but are slow. Emirates Team NZ continue on to the starboard mark and gain the lead - 4 seconds ahead.

1414 Emirates Team NZ surge ahead coming into the leeward gate and get the overlap on the Italians.  

1413 BMW Oracle cross clear ahead of All4One the two boats swapping sides

1411 BMW Oracle tack to the left while All4One just round up and head right - All4One has made a nice gain recovering to just a boatlength astern of their American rivals

1410 BMW Oracle lead into the starboard leeward gate mark (looking upwind). All4One follow in trailing by 28 seconds. 

1409 Up the course All4One has got in phase with BMW Oracle en route to the leeward gate

1407 22 seconds lead to Mascalzone Latino at the top mark

1405 Further up the course there has been a big split on the first half of the run with BMW Oracle 90m ahead of their Franco-German opponents coming into the half way gate

1403 Emirates Team NZ come across to engage with good pace. Can the Italians cross... Yes, they can, but it is vv close

1402 Big split between Emirates Team NZ and Mascalzone with the Italians now coming in from the left and still holding a small advantage, but the Kiwis with the advantage of the right

1400 All4One come in from the left and dialled down. The two boats paralleled up to the starboard layline with BMW Oracle Racing to weather, tacking first and leading into the mark to round with a 22 second advantage (and a penalty up) 

1358 Both head back to the line with Mascalzone on the layline to the pin with Emirates Team NZ just above them to weather. The Kiwis tack off. Split tack start. Mascalzone have better speed across the line to gain the early advantage.

1356 Dial up. With 2:30 to go Emirates Team NZ bear away on port and Mascalzone follow 

1355 Emirates Team NZ and Mascalzone into the box now, the Kiwis coming in from the right

1353 BMW Oracle tack away. All4One bow forward

1351 Both boats start on starboard with BMW Oracle tight to windward

1350 They separate - All4One to leeward, BMW Oracle early for the line 

1349 BMW Oracle Racing controlling the pre-start perfectly. And inevitably - Spithill plants a penalty on All4One for not keeping clear during a gybe

1347 Dial up. But Spithill ducks it then rounds up as both boats bear away on port towards the committee with All4One up to weather  

1346 BMW Oracle Racing has the favoured starboard entry. What will Spithill do? 

1344 Into the starting sequence. 

1335 Event meteoroloist Roger 'Clouds' Badham came ashore yesterday saying that the sea breeze had failed to kick in - 'a lemon of a day'. He fears that today conditions may be the same with the best breeze, around 4-5pm local time. We shall see. 

1334 First is the mighty BMW Oracle Racing v All4One. They will be followed by Mascalzone Latino Audi Team v Emirates Team NZ. The format of the semi-finals is 'first to two points'

1332 Warning signal still on track for 1345

1030 - Dockout is scheduled for 1300, with no race start before 1345. The forecast is a bit different today - gradient wind rather than the normal sea breeze. But the result is similar, with winds forecast to be between seven and 12 knots from the Northwest all afternoon.

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1724 Final results of the fleet racing:

1 Mascalzone Latino Audi Team 2

2= All4One 4

2= Artemis 4

4 Emirates Team NZ

5 Synergy 7

6 BMW Oracle Racing 8

1721 Mascalzone are good at fleet racing notching up their second win of the day to claim the Louis Vuitton Fleet Race Trophy. 

1719 Light going, wind dying... Mascalzone lead Artemis by 149m, Synergy +209m, BMW Oracle Racing 489m

1715 Mascalzone are looking to be on for an overall win in the Fleet Race. 

1713 Brady and Mascalzone Latino will lead around the top mark, coming in on port. He is followed by Artemis arriving on starboard. Synergy is third. The Americans trail.  

1711 Brady and Italians up the middle of the track in big wind shifts. Artemis appears overstood out on the right.

1709 On the left, Synergy crosses Oracle's bow as they boat head in on the port layline.

1706 Split continues with Artemis close to the starboard layline enjoying a small lead and trailed by Mascalzone.

1704 They split off the line with BMWOR going left with Synergy and the others tacking off to port.

1702 Oracle first off the line. Synergy second.

1658 In the start sequence now. Late afternoon sunlight. Golden glow on the boats.

1636 The decider to go. Mascalzone Latino and Artemis are still in with a chance of winning

1626 Emirates Team NZ and BMW Oracle Racing cross the line overlapped, the US team on the charge, but the Kiwis take third

1625 Artemis take second after 1:40

1624 All4One take the win leaving them on four points. Wind still looking soft. 

1619  Emirates Team NZ having their own private competition with BMW Oracle Racing. The Kiwis delta is around 1:40, BMW Oracle around 1:53 BMW Oracle Racing gybe set

1618 Artemis follow around 50 seconds later

1617 All4One tack on the starboard layline to lead around the top mark. 

1613 Deltas at the leeward gate: All4One, Artemis +0:45, Emirates Team NZ +1:20, BMW Oracle Racing +1:47

1611 All4One soak down to the gate and round the starboard mark (looking upwind). Artemis round the port hand mark and are followed in by Emirates TNZ

1610 Wind getting very soft

1609 Two small tears in the middle of the All4One kite

1608 Course shortened from 1 mile to 0.7m, same course

1607 All4One holds a 100m lead over Artemis, then Emirates Team, BMW Oracle Racing

1605 All4One gybe,followed by Artemis

1602 All4One leading around the top mark followed by Artemis, Emirates Team NZ and BMW Oracle Racing

1601 Artemis and Emirate Team NZ duck All4One

1556 All4One are on their own coming in from the starboard layline.  

1555 BMW Oracle being pinned out to the left by Emirates Team NZ. The Kiwis tack back beyond the port hand layline 

1553 Emirates Team NZ still leading but Artemis has done well on the right. All4One tack and take their transom. 

1550 Emirates Team NZ next up to weather and fastest off the line with All4One and Artemis above them

1549 BMW Oracle Racing aiming for the pin this time. 

1548 Course 295 (the wind still in the left phase), distance to weather mark 1 mile

1545 5 minute gun gone

1533 Warning signal expected at 1545

1532 Wind still light. 7-8 knots

1531 Warning signal for race two expected imminently

1515 Emirates Team NZ and All4One now stay on board the Team NZ boats while BMW Oracle take over from Mascalzone and Artemis move on to Synergy on the BMW boats. 

1514 All4One third (1;57 delta) with Synergy bring up the rear after 2:49

1513 Emirates Team NZ second, 1:04 delta. 

1512  Mascalzone take the gun. Easy win apart from a small rip in the kite that they will now patch quickly

1509 There is rectangular hole in the Mascalzone kite

1505 Emirates Team NZ rounds in second 1:09 behind, narrowly leading All4One

1504 Mascalzone Latino round the top mark for the final time 

1502 Looks like All4One is just holding second on the left. They are coming up for a cross with Emirates Team NZ and get bounced off to the left. 

1500 No joy for Emirates Team NZ on the right. They tack back just in time to be able to roll over the top of Synergy

1458 The Kiwis tack off to the right on rounding. They are alone in taking this side, hoping no doubt that the wind will phase back in their favour

1456 Emirates Team look to have rounded second. They round the port leeward gate mark. All4One follow Mascalzone round the starboard mark. Synergy round port mark 

1455 Mascalzone Latino comfortably ahead still at the gate. They round the starboard mark (looking upwind). 

1452 Change of course to 295m (ie 10 degrees to the left). Mascalzone gybe for the leeward gate

1450 Mascalzone now holds a 370m lead. 

1445 Mascalzone Latino first to the top mark. Followed 37 seconds later by All4One, then Synergy and Emirates Team NZ

1444 Emirates Team NZ follow Mascazlone, tacking in from the port layline, but the Italians have pulled off a horizon job

1442 Mascalzone has found more pressure out to the left and have nosed ahead, now on the layline

1439 1km lateral split across the course between Mascalzone and Synergy

1438 Mascalzone still heading out to the left. 

1436 Emirates Team NZ have been squished and tack away. THen they are bounced back by Synergy. Not the finest start from Barker and the double Audi MedCup winners

1435 Mascalzone squeezing through at the pin with Emirates Team NZ and All4One above them and Synergy apart from the leeward trio, closest to the boat. All start on starboard

1430 5 minute horn gone. No pre-start obviously. Suspect the Audi MedCup teams will be favourite in this. 

1429 Team NZ crew have their ensign at half mast and they are wearing black arm bands following the mining disaster in NZ which saw 29 miners killed. 

1426 Four boats - six teams? There are three races planned and each team will race twice. Low points scoring system to be used. 

1424 More details of the course which will be two laps of a windward-leeward with a port rounding at the weather mark (as opposed to starboard used for fleet racing) and an offset mark to help prevent collisions. 

1417 Warning signal at 1430

1415 Peter Reggio cranking into action. Getting ready for a warning signal. No time yet. 

1348 Start delayed. Wind just 5-6 knots at present

1340 - Forecast from Roger Badham - gradient breeze is soft and from the west (this is new - typically it has been from the north). This will bias the sea breeze slightly left and the resultant breeze will be a combo between the left gradient and the right sea breeze, with more sea breeze than soft gradient. 

So 1400: 310-330, 7-10 knots

1600 320-340, 9-12 knots

1800 320-340, 8-10 knots

1100 - Dock-out is scheduled at 1300, with a first start planned at 1345.

In Race One, the four teams competing will be:

Mascalzone Latino Audi

Synergy

Emirates Team New Zealand

All4One

In Race Two:

BMW ORACLE Racing

Artemis

Emirates Team New Zealand

All4One

In Race Three:

BMW ORACLE Racing

Artemis

Mascalzone Latino Audi

Synergy

Fleet racing is on the cards for Thursday, ahead of the Semi Finals and Finals on Friday and Saturday.

On Thursday, all six Louis Vuitton Trophy Dubai teams will participate in fleet racing. How do you squeeze six teams into four boats you ask? Well, you don't. But three races are scheduled and each team will sail in two of them. The fleet racing is scored completely separately as a stand-alone regatta.

There will be a briefing for the teams at 1000 on Thursday morning and a draw for the boats in the fleet race.

Following the fleet racing, there will be a press conference where the top team after the two Rounds Robin - BMW ORACLE Racing - will choose their semi final opponent. BMW ORACLE Racing will then draw from a hat to determine whether their pairing will race in the ETNZ or BOR boats.

The top team in each pairing will then choose either which boat they'd prefer, or starting end assignment. The teams will swap boats and ends following each match.

Each semi final contest is a 'first to two points' series.

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1654 It looks like BMW Oracle Racing and Emirates Team NZ are guaranteed a berth in the semis, but there is a lot of wrangling to be done tomorrow over the final two places. Artemis has not won a single race in round robin two. They only have All4One to race tomorrow. If they beat All4One and All4One also lose to Emirates Team NZ and Synergy lose to the Kiwis then it will be All4One and Synergy out of the competition. All4One have to win one of their two matches tomorrow to make it into the semis. If Mascalzone Latino beat BMW Oracle Racing then they are assured a berth. 

1654 Results look as follows: 

1. BMW ORACLE Racing, 15 pts

2. Emirates Team New Zealand, 8.5 pts

3. Mascalzone Latino Audi Team, 8 pts

4= All4One, 6 pts

4= Synergy Russian Sailing Team, 6 pts

6. Artemis Racing, 5 pts

1653 Excellent win for Gavin Brady and the Mascalzone Latino Audi Team who are now up to 8 points in third place, 0.5 points behind Emirates Team NZ. 

1652 Seemed like an odd time for Synergy to gybe but gybing again this will allow them to lay the favoured committee boat end of the finish line

1651 Synergy go for a double gybe, leaving them on port and Mascalzone on starboard. 

1647 23 seconds lead for Mascalzone Latino at the top mark. Brady has done a good job on this last beat. 

1646 Two more points for BMW Oracle with a 25 seconds delta over Emirates Team NZ

1645 As the two boat comes together the Italian cross comfortably ahead with a 50m lead. They cross. Mascalzone headin left. 

1643 In the much tighter match behind Mascalzone has allowed Synergy to break left

1642 There's a fairly substantial shift to the left across the course

1641 Big split between the Kiwis and BMW Oracle Racing. But it doesn't appear to be favouring either side. 

1640 Synergy and Mascalzone Latino neck and neck coming up to the gate midway on the second beat, the Russian team on the left 

1638 15 second advantage to BMW Oracle at the final top mark rounding. The Kiwis gybe set 

1636 On the run there is a lead change with Mascalzone moving into the lead to round ahead by 8 seconds.  

1635 The Kiwis are still in the game. There is a big split on the top half of the beat with the Kiwis on the left and they close to a boat length. 

1634 Meanwhile BMW Oracle Racing managed to edge ahead of Emirates Team NZ on the opening leg to round 10 seconds ahead. The Kiwis lost five second on the run and a poor drop required them to blow the halyard for a 'chase boat drop'

1630 Superb match race between Mascalzone and Synergy. Monster dial up taking boats ahead of the line, both late for the start. They then headed out way beyond the port layline with Synergy leading into the top mark with a delta of 3 seconds. Both boats gybe set 

1610 Both tack on to port soon after crossing the line. BMW Oracle have nosed ahead

1609 BMW Oracle take up the windward berth by the committee boat. Both start at speed on starboard, the Kiwis to leeward

1608 Both head off behind the committee boat. BMW Oracle Racing setting themselves up for the right

1607 Still dialled up. BMW Oracle slip ahead of the Kiwis. 

1605 Kiwi a little later for the start. Both boats sailing deep, so we get a dial up

1602 The clock is running. Emirates Team NZ have the starboard entry. What will Spithill pull out of the hat this time?

1525 Next up the heavyweight bout between BMW Oracle Racing and Emirates Team NZ followed by Synergy v Mascalzone (which will sort out third place)

1522 1:55 delta in Mascalzone's favour. So both of the bottom placed boats have scored two points in these flights.. This leave Artemis in last place on 5 points with Mascalzone Latino and Synergy and All4One tied for third...

1519 Mascalzone are about to notch up the biggest delta so far this regatta. 1:18 at the top mark. Artemis are so far behind one wonders if there haven't been some problems on board. 

1515 Bruni redeems himself again! Synergy win with a 5 second margin

1514 Synergy gybe and drop the kite and hoist the genoa in order to make their penalty turn on the line.But enough time?

1508 Synergy hold a 19 second lead at the top mark. While it is looking unlikely with this delta If they can extend down the run, they may have enough time to carry out their turn 

1508 Artemis appear to be toast. Now 330m astern 

1507 Synergy tacks inside the starboard layline, leading but not by enough to be ahead after taking a penalty turn

1504 Synergy have tacked away and seem to be gaining a little on the right. They will now be trying to extend enough to expend their penalty 

1503 Mascalzone Latino still hold a healthy lead coming into the leeward gate. The Italians round the port hand mark looking up wind, while Artemis take the starboard mark with a 33 second deficit

1500 Poor Synergy. They pick up a penalty for tacking too close to All4One. Both heading back to the windward leg gate on port. They tack, with Synergy attempting to live on the hip of All4One. Synergy tack away

1456 Synergy rounds the starboard hand gate mark, All4One takes the port mark. The delta 22 seconds 

1455 Split between Synergy and All4One on the second half of the run and All4One pick up a small gain on the right side (looking upwind)

1453 27 second lead to Brady and the Mascalzone crew at the top mark

1451 Mascalzone Latino continue to make gains. Getting on to the port layline they are 2-3 boat lengths ahead. 

1449 Artemis tack but take Mascalzone's transom. There's been a substantial LH shift on the race course (hence the gybe sets)

1447 Artemis and Mascalzone very even. Now both boats heading out to the right with Artemis furthest right

1446 Further up the course, Synergy has kept their nose clean to round the top mark 13 seconds ahead of ALL4One. Both gybe set

1444 Split tack start with Mascalzone Latino at the pin and Artemis going well at the committee boat

1443 Both boats head back towards the committee boat. Brady trying to get the hook on Artemis

1442 Long dial up between the Italian and Swedish teams. Torbjorn Tornqvist is on board Artemis again today. 

1441 Mascalzone Latino v Artemis now underway and dialled up with Artemis on the starboard side

1440 Boats are neck and neck as they come together for the first time

1437 Synergy start late and slow by the committee boat, All4One towards the pin have the early advantage

1434 Dial up. All4One gybe out of the dial up, Synergy tack with two minutes to go. Pin heavily biased

1432 The countdown has begun... Synergy has the favoured starboard entry 

1423 Warning signal at 1431

1416 AP still up. In terms of points BMW Oracle Racing are in good shape on 13 points. They are 4.5 points clear of second placed Emirates Team NZ, in turn 2.5 ahead of All4One. The real fight is on between the bottom boats as to which will make it through to the semi-finals. At present Synergy and Mascalzone Latino Audi Team are tied in bottom place but are only one point astern of Artemis. 

1413 Sounds like there might be a bit of a wait beyond 1415. 

1409 - Getting there. First up today is All4One, possibly still on a roll from their victory over BMW Oracle Racing yesterday, while Synergy will be hoping to keep their noses clean after their hefty two point penalty yesterday.  

1311 - Warning signal due at 1415 

1045 - While we're waiting for wind, why not check out some dhow racing, from on board with Emirates Team New Zealand?

1030 - Roger 'Clouds' Badham says we can expect similar light conditions to yesterday, with the wind perhaps a couple of knots stronger, closer to 10 knots than eight.

The pairings for today are:

All4One vs. Synergy

Mascalzone Latino Audi vs. Artemis

BMW ORACLE Racing vs. Emirates Team New Zealand

Synergy vs. Mascalzone Latino Audi

1730 Final points tally for today:

1.  BMW ORACLE Racing, 11-2, 13 pts
2.  Emirates Team New Zealand, 7-5, 8.5 pts
3.  All4One, 5-7, 6 pts
4.  Artemis Racing, 5-8, 5 pts
=5.  Synergy Russian Sailing Team, 5-7, 4 pts *
=5.  Mascalzone Latino Audi Team, 4-8, 4 pts *..

1712 Mascalzone unable to get a piece of the Kiwis, who take the gun with the Italians 10 seconds behind. 

1707 The race is still on behind them. Emirates Team NZ hold a 9 second lead at the top mark. 

1705 Two more points for BMW Oracle Racing. 1:03 final delta. 

1702 However it is still close between Emirates Team NZ and Mascalzone in the second half of the upwind. The Kiwis get on to the port layline as Brady and the Italians plough on to the starboard layline. They'll have two extra tacks to do.

1659 BMW Oracle lead Artemis around the top mark for the final time with a 44 second advantage. Not looking promising for the Swedes. 

1655 Mascalzone close right in on the Kiwis, who round the port hand mark (looking upwind) at the leeward gate while Mascalzone sail further to continue on to the starboard mark.  

1653 BMW Oracle trailed by Artemis skim the starboard end of the gate on the upwind. Artemis tacks immediately. Artemis has managed to get out of phase with the leaders

1651 Italy and the Kiwis come together just short of the gate mark on the run neck and neck, they both gybe with the Kiwis easing ahead again

1650 Mascalzone Latino making gains down the LH side of the run to close to a boat length behind Emirates Team NZ. 

1648 BMW Oracle lead around the top mark 25 seconds ahead of Artemis at the leeward gate

1644 Emirates Team NZ round the top mark 9 seconds ahead and gybe set, whereas the Italians do a conventional set

1644 BMW Oracle Racing extending over Artemis. Now up to 144m

1643 Mascalzone Latino is a nose ahead but the Kiwis have the inside berth 

1640 Mascalzone Latino easies ahead of the Kiwis as both head for the port layline. Virtual Eye has them well beyond layline but remember they are having to call the laylines the old fashioned way

1638 At the start both boats start on starboard mid-line with Emirates Team NZ in the weather berth 

1637 BMW Oracle luff up and squeeze around but Artemis has to tack twice and round 20 seconds astern. 

1636 Further up the track there has been a tacking duel between Artemis and BMW, both coming up inside the port layline, BMW Oracle still ahead. Artemis not advanced enough yet to get inside at the weather mark. 

1635 Mascalzone lead back into the box. 

1634 Emirates Team NZ v Mascalzone, the Italians coming in from the right.  

1633 BMW Oracle tack back and cross just ahead of Artemis. Artemis continue to the left, the US team to the right. 

1631 Artemis loop around behind the committee boat while BMW Oracle start two thirds of the way down the line to the pin, both on starboard. Artemis are slow off the line compared to Spithill and co

1630 Owner Torbjorn Tornqvist sailing on board Artemis today 

1628 Artemis looking to get around the bow of BMW Oracle. 1:40 to go and BMW Oracle bail for the line.  

1627 BMW Oracle sheets in a little on starboard to bring them down towards Artemis. 2.50 to go and they're still dialled up

1626 So indeed, first up is BMW Oracle Racing v Artemis. BMW Oracle with starboard entry. 

1621 Warning signal at 1623.

1618 There's a delay to proceedings. There's a problem with the hook up between the insruments and the deck screens on NZL 92 which Mascalzone Latino Audi team are racing. It looks like both teams will be racing without the navigator's deck screens. 

1551 Looks like the Artemis v BMW Oracle match might be up first. 

1538 Next up Emirates Team NZ v Mascalzone Latino Audi Team. Then Artemis v BMW Oracle Racing. 

1537 All4One now up to third place.  

1534 All4One claim the scalp of BMW Oracle Racing, continuing their success from yesterday's dhow racing win... 45 second delta. Brilliant performance by Col, Schuemann and the team

1532 Synergy helmsman Francesco Bruni on hearing the news of the 2 point penalty: "I am very disappointed with myself and how I am reacting. I just heard we had a two point deduction. Team NZ only had a half point. I am just having a nightmare of a week. I should have protected the right in a better way on the second beat. The guys are doing just great. I shouldn’t be here this week." 

1530 Synergy cross the line first. 27 second delta. However Synergy still getting 2 points docked for their pre-start collision. 

1528 All4One have really nailed it on that last beat. 46 second lead for Col and Schuemann

1526 Coming the opposite way up the beat, big split has developed between BMW Oracle and All4One with the Franco-German team on the right and extending.

1525 Synergy and Artemis gybe together. Good manoevures from both boats, Synergy looking slightly slicker 

1523 Synergy attempt to cross in front of Artemis. They have pace which Artemis don't have after they have tack. No overlap going into the mark. 14 second delta with the Russians ahead. 

1522 Artemis tack just short of the starboard tack layline and will try to get the inside berth on Synergy, now coming in on the port layline

1521 Behind, All4One holds a 23m lead over BMW Oracle Racing approaching the upwind leg gate

1518 There has been some contention between Artemis and Synergy going through the gate halfway through the upwind. Artemis dialled down and have taken the right. Synergy tried to live off to port but has had to tack away. Artemis nosing into the lead

1517 All4One trying to minimise their manoeuvres. They gybe on the layline. At the gate, All4One rounds the starboard gate mark (looking upwind), while BMW Oracle Racing round the opposit mark

1514 BMW Oracle Racing taking the race to All4One. Now through the mid-run gate. ALL4One don't fall for BMW Oracle's dummy gybe. BMW Oracle do gybe, but All4One continue on port. 

1513 Synergy approach the leeward gate on starboard, Artemis on port. They round the starboard and port gate marks respectively with Synergy 8 seconds ahead. Once again they are splitting with Synergy heading out to the right. 

1511 At the gate mid-way down the run, Synergy have managed to overhaul Artemis taking the left side of the run

1508 Synergy may have carried out a penalty turn but the umpires have just informed us that they will get a two point penalty regardless for hard contact. 

1506 All4One lead BMW Oracle Racing (yes, you read that right) with an 8 second delta

1505 We have an interesting scenario developing in the BMW Oracle v All4One race with the Franco-German team leading the US team up the starboard layline... 

1501 Synergy round the mark 10 seconds ahead. They tack around to get rid of their penalty en route back to the weather mark. Artemis has regained their lead

1459 Further up the course Artemis and Synergy have come together on starboard with Synergy attempting to live off the starboard hip of the Swedish boat. Inevitably the Swedes get luffed up but this is not enough to shake the Russians who are able to get the inside berth at the mark. Synergy sails Artemis way upwind of the mark... 

1458 Long dial up... All4One bears away. They are both well over the line

1456  BMW Oracle Racing has her technical problems fixed and they enter the box, with All4One holding the starboard entry. Dial up

1454 Major split with Synergy taking the right and Artemis now tacked, coming back from the left

1452 Split tack start with Artemis heading for the pin

1449 Synergy picks up a penalty for contact

1447 Because of the technical problem on BMW Oracle, we are getting underway with Flight 2 between Artemis and Synergy. 

1440 There's a white flag on the BMW Oracle Racing boat - they haven't got their electronics sorted out yet... standby to stand by

1435 Wind direction 345deg, so as Clouds forecasts, this is further left than we saw all last week. Warning signal has been brought forwards to 1438. Get ready...  

1430 Warning signal due at 1443 with the start gun at 1450

1337 - Today's forecast courtesy of Roger 'Clouds' Badham:

Another soft sea breeze day - max of 10-11 knots more from the NNW-NW and not the north. 

1336 - Racing is expected to start at 14:30

0915 - Similar conditions expected today to what we had yesterday for the dhow race, with a lighter sea breeze that doesn't establish itself until at least 1400, and more likely a bit later than that. Dockout has been delayed until 1315, with the start postponed until at least 1400.

In response to the forecast, the Race Committee has reorganised the pairings for today. Instead of one match being complete before the following race starts, the four scheduled matches will be organised into two flights of two matches, as below:

Flight One

Match One - BMW ORACLE Racing vs. All4One

Match Two - Artemis vs. Synergy

Flight Two

Match One - Emirates Team New Zealand vs. Mascalzone Latino

Match Two - Artemis vs. BMW ORACLE Racing

Each of the six Louis Vuitton Trophy crews was assigned a local dhow, one of the traditional craft that used to ply these waters as essential modes of transportation and trade. Today, dhow racing is among the top events on the local sporting calendar and Saturday’s race marked the first time foreigners were allowed to actively participate in a race.

Each dhow was manned by 11 crew from the LVT teams, along with six of the boats’ regular sailors. The dhows set up for the start with an anchor off the bow and stern and the sails down. When the starting gun fired, the sails were heaved up, the anchor lines cast off, and the boats started reaching towards the finish line, some six miles downwind.

At the finish line, it was All4One, taking the win over Emirates Team New Zealand and BMW ORACLE Racing. Getting a good, fast start proved to be critical.

“You need to come off the starting blocks fast. We picked a good angle and it worked out well for us,” said Jochen Schumann, the multiple Olympic medallist who was sailing on the All4One dhow.

While Schumann acknowledged there are many differences in how these boats sail, he says some of the essential tactics and strategies remain the same. “In many ways, I think these boats are similar to other sailboats; ‘Do you sail higher and faster or lower and a little slower?’ I think we did well to gybe only once, because those are expensive, and in the end, we did well and had a lot of fun. We’d love to do it again.”

That final sentiment was shared by many of the skippers.

“It was fun and it was good to do it. I’ve seen video and photos of these boats before so it was neat to be able to try it,” said Gavin Brady, the helmsman for the Mascalzone Latino Audi team, who missed out on a podium finish, but enjoyed the afternoon nonetheless.

Also racing on Saturday was a gaggle of local junior sailors, who competed in the Louis Vuitton Junior Trophy. Racing on O’pen Bics in the lagoon off the DIMC, the junior sailors were vying for a chance to sail as 18^th man with the finalists of the main event, on November 27^th.

It’s back to business for the Louis Vuitton Trophy teams on Sunday when racing resumes in Round Robin Two.

Four races are scheduled, with the event leading BMW ORACLE Racing matched up against All4One in the first pairing. Artemis then faces Synergy, Emirates Team New Zealand is against Mascalzone Latino Audi and the final match will see Artemis race BMW ORACLE Racing.

The earliest time for a warning signal is 1245.

Provisional Results after Day One of RR2:

  1.  BMW ORACLE Racing, 10-1, 11 pts

  2.  Emirates Team New Zealand, 6-5, 6.5 pts *

  3.  Artemis Racing, 5-6, 5 pts

=4.  All4One, 4-7, 4 pts

=4.  Mascalzone Latino Audi Team, 4-7, 4 pts *

=4.  Synergy Russian Sailing Team, 4-7, 4 pts

* A scoring penalty has been assessed by the umpires

In Round Robin One, each team sailed every other team twice, with each win worth one point.

In Round Robin Two, each team will sail every other team once, with each win worth two points.

At the conclusion of Round Robin Two, the top four teams will advance to the semi finals. The bottom two teams are eliminated.

There remains one race to go now in Round Robin One which will be sailed tomorrow - the postponed match between Artemis and Emirates Team New Zealand

1649 Good win and well defended race for All4One. Final delta 37 seconds. 

1645 All4One matching Artemis' gybing

1643 All4One looking comfortable. 30 seconds lead at the final top mark rounding

1640 Wind shifting right in the upper reaches of this upwind leg

1636 Coming back up through the gate All4One cross ahead of Artemis and continue on to the left. Artemis heading right. Shouldn't All4One be covering?

1633 All4One tack back as do Artemis. The Franco-German team are doing well and cross 85m ahead of the Swedes. 

1632 All4One gybe and round the favoured port leeward gate mark (looking upwind) while Artemis head for the opposite mark rounding 10 seconds astern

1627 Big luff from All4One.  They gybe back to the gate, on a very hot angle. Scary amount of heel on All4One

1625 Another simultaneous gybe, both boats still in contact. But they won't lay the gate halfway down the run

1623 Early on in the run both gybe 

1621 Nice work by All4One. They are on the inside when the tack comes at the starboard tack layline. All4One round 8 seconds ahead of Artemis. 

1618 All4One tack towards Artemis, the Swedes tack too but rather than tack away. All4One, continue attempting to live off Artemis' port hip.  

1617 Artemis tack to get a piece of the left, both now on starboard heading left and the advantage line swings back to the Swedes 

1616 Off to the left All4One are lifted compared to Artemis and have edged ahead

1615 Split tack start once again with Artemis again by the committee boat. 

1613 Both deep in the box but Artemis is already hounding All4One going for the hook as the boats head for 'coffin corner', the area behind the pin

1610: Artemis coming in from the right for the second race. Dial up - a brief one on this occasion. 

1547: All4One unable to get a piece of Artemis. Artemis heading for the favoured committee boat end of the finish line. The final delta - 5 seconds. 

1544: Simultaneous gybe just short of being able to lay the finish line

1541: Beyond the layline, Artemis tack for the mark, All4One now trying to get the overlap but they're just not close enough. Artemis round 12 seconds ahead

1539: Crossing, All4One continue on to the right. Artemis tack back with both now heading for the starboard tack layline

1537: Both boats head off to the left up the second half of the beat with the advantage line indicating All4One catching. The Franco-German team tack back. Less than a boat length advantage to Artemis now, but they still hold the right

1536: Moderate pace tacking duel going up the first half of the beat with Artemis ahead and on the right

1530: The Franco-German team have closed on Artemis approaching the port hand leeward gate mark and achieve the overlap. All4One round the mark and immediately tack. Artemis follow suit

1528: All4One cross astern of Artemis, trailing the Swede by around 70m

1526: All4One gybe for the gate halfway down the run. THey converge with Artemis

1523: Artemis gybe on to starboard

1521: Artemis lead around the top mark with a 7 second delta. All4One gybe set

1519: At their first cross Artemis has edged ahead. 46m in front. 

1517: All4One bail from the left

1514: Artemis tack away with 20 seconds to go. All4One nail the pin while Artemis cross by the committee boat

1514: Artemis hounding All4One but the Swedes have taken up the windward position as the two boats head back to the line

1513: All4One heads back into the box. 

1511: All4One come in from the right. Prolonged dial up

1510: Artemis and All4One into the box

The points score with still to go only the two matches between Artemis and All4One and the final Artemis v Emirates Team New Zealand dust-up (the postponed race from earlier in the week, now scheduled for tomorrow): 

1 BMW Oracle Racing 9-1

2 Emirates Team NZ 4.5-4 (inc 0.5 points deducted due to collision)

3 Synergy Russian Sailing Team  4-6

4= All4One 3-5

4=Artemis 3-4

6 Mascalzone Latino Audi Team 2* (inc one point deducted by jury)

1449: BMW Oracle claim their ninth point with a 45 second win over Mascalzone Latino

1445: On board BMW Oracle John Kostecki is talking about the wind going light.They still hold a 200m advantage over Mascalzone with the line rapidly approaching.  

1442: Again BMW Oracle Racing have done well on the beat (they are sailing the older of their two boats USA87) and round 27 seconds ahead of Mascalzone Latino

1441: Well deserved win for Dean Barker and Emirates Team New Zealand with a final delta of 33 seconds

1438: Spithill and the BMW Oracle afterguard are once again allowing a big split to develop on the second half of the second upwind. Once again they are trying to get the best from the right. 

1434: Emirates Team NZ have done well on the second upwind and round 40 seconds ahead, up from 17 seconds at the leeward gate. 

1428: Mascalzone closing on BMW Oracle at speed after the Americans gybe but have to follow around the favoured port hand leeward gate mark, trailing by 8 seconds

1427: Mascalzone and BMW swap side, with the Italians setting up to be on starboard when they next converge

1425: BMW Oracle Racing and Mascalzone gybe in the gate by the committee boat

1424: BMW Oracle and Mascalzone Latino converge just before the gate midway down the run, with Spithill and co still ahead

1422: At the leeward gate, Emirates Team NZ rounds the port mark, Synergy follow trailing by 17 seconds and immediately tack on to port

1420: Unlike Emirates Team New Zealand further up the course, BMW Oracle have chosen not to respond and allow the Italians to split from them. 

1418: However this looks to have been a quirk of Virtual Eye and as they converge at the top mark, BMW Oracle Racing led around but only by 7 seconds. Mascalzone gybe set

1415: Monster split in the BMW Oracle v Mascalzone bout with both boats hitting their respective laylines. And guess what? Spithill and co have made the best of it now with a 93m lead having been even at the start

1413: 21 seconds advantage to Emirates Team NZ at the weather mark. Synegy gybe set and the Kiwis quickly respond

1412: Split tack starts with the Italians at the pin. Otherwise v even between them

1411: Mascalzone Latino being run towards coffin corner but Spithill lets them off and tacks for the committee boat. 

1410: BMW Oracle setting up to weather. Both boats early. 

1409: Three minutes out and Mascalzone circle around on to the transom of BMW Oracle Racing

1407: Next up BMW Oracle and Mascalzone with the Italians coming in from the favoured right. Brief dial up

1405: Excellent work by Dean Barker, getting the overlap as both boats reached down the line. In trying to shed the overlap Synergy were over early and are forced to loop around the pin. 

1403: 1.30 to the gun and Synergy turn back for the line. Emirates Team NZ gybe round and set up on the layline into the committee boat. 

1402: Underway. Synergy coming in from the right. Dial up

1353 Warning signal for the first match of the second flight due at 1358

1341 This leaves BMW Oracle Racing unbeatable in this first Round Robin with Synergy now overhauling Emirates Team NZ to take second place 

1340 Relatively easy win for BMW Oracle Racing. Final delta 41 seconds. 

1335 BMW Oracle looking comfortable on the final run for the line having rounded the top mark 31 seconds ahead

1333: Freddie Flintoff (on Emirates Team NZ) "Unfortunately we seem to have lost, but it was a good experience. I wasn’t sure what was going on at one point with the penalty, but I sat watching taking it in. Everyone seems to know their jobs and just gets on with it." 

1330: Synergy reach the line and comfortably complete their penalty turn before Emirates Team NZ pitches up. The Kiwis behind by 14 seconds. 

1329: Synergy preparing for their penalty turn. They have hoisted their jib. 

1328: Wind shifted back and Synergy are no longer laying the finish so they will have two more gybes to do as well as their penalty turn before the finish. 

1326: Course still quite skewed. Synergy have gybed and are already laying the pin end of the finish line

1324: Once again Synergy has done a good job on the upwind leg and have pulled back to 44 seconds, again more than enough to carry out their penalty turn before the finish

1322: Mascalzone has closed on the run, now down to 11 seconds from 19 at the leeward gate. Both round the port hand leeward gate mark.  

1320: Despite their losses on the run, Synergy has doing a better job defending their position upwind. Still 118m ahead.   

1317: There's a significant LH shift which is making the racing strongly favour port tack. Peter Reggio has announced a course change to 010deg. 

1316: Freddie Flintoff is sailing on board Emirates Team NZ today. "Not 100% sure what's going on... I think we're doing all right..." 

1313 Emirates Team NZ has done a phenomenal catch-up job on the run. The delta is down to 19 seconds - they have caught up 31 seconds since the top mark. 19 seconds may not be enough for the Russian team to shed their penalty

1312 BMW Oracle Racing round the top mark with a 19 second advantage. 

1309 92m lead to BMW Oracle over Mascalzone Latino, both boats off on the RH side of the course, the US team slowly extending. 

1306 As a result of Emirates TNZ's OCS, Synergy are able to pull out a 50 second lead by the top mark. Synergy at present is easily able to carry out their penalty and still remain ahead. 

1304 Mascalone tacks on the line, BMW Oracle follow. The AC defenders have a halfboat length advantage off the line

1302 Mascalzone trailing BMW Oracle back to the line

1259 Next up. Mascalzone Latino v BMW Oracle. Dial up

1257 Emirates Team NZ over early...

1254 - Very light contact between the boats and there's a blue penalty. The bow of Synergy just tapping the wands on the ETNZ boat. Penalty against Synergy.

1250 - Just coming up to warning signal for Emirates Team New Zealand against the Synergy Russian Sailing Team. The Kiwis are in on starboard, Synergy on port and the boats roll into a dial up.

1245 - Peter Reggio was ready to go on time, but Emirates Team New Zealand has requested a five minute delay - they have a small hole in their jib. 1250 is now the time for the warning signal.

1242 - And as soon as we push the button, Peter Reggio changes course bearing to 020.

1240 - The boats are on the race course, preparing for racing. Principal Race Officer Peter Reggio has told the teams they will set up on course B, with the mid course gate, on course axis 015-degrees. Full leg length is 1.3 miles.

1010 - The first race start will be no earlier that 1245, with dock-out scheduled for noon.

Flight One, Race One, Synergy Russian Sailing def All4One, 00:08 -
Synergy Russian Sailing team earned a come from behind win with a pass on the first run. But they were given a scare on the short downwind sprint to the finish on the second lap of the course as All4One made a gain with a smoother rounding at the top mark, and some good crew work on their downwind gybes. Although the French-German team was able to pull into an overlapped position halfway down the run, Francesco Bruni and his Synergy crew held their nerve to earn a narrow victory.

Flight One, Race Two, Artemis def Mascalzone Latino Audi, 00:39 -
This match was all but over before it began as Gavin Brady, at the helm of the Italian boat, picked up a penalty one minute before the start. Attempting to dive down to leeward of Artemis, which was leading back towards the starting line, the bow of the Italian boat clipped the safety wands extending from the transom of the Swedes. Carrying the burden of his penalty all the way around the track, there was nothing Brady and his team could do to recover. An easy victory for Artemis.

Flight Two, Race One, All4One def Synergy Russia Sailing, 00:11 -
A good start by Seb Col on All4One saw him win the right hand side of the course with his nose forward of Synergy. Bruni, at the helm of the Russian boat, was forced to luff hard to clear the pin end of the starting line, handing the early lead to Col. A tacking duel ensued, with All4One always holding the advantage on the right, which translated into a seven-second lead at the top mark. On the run, Synergy was able to position itself well for the gybe towards the leeward gate and rumbled past All4One to an 11-second lead. But on the second beat, the duo of Seb Col and tactician John Cutler engineered a pass for All4One, successfully fending off a lee-bow tack by Synergy, allowing them to sail the Russian team out past the layline before leading back to the mark and holding on to the finish for an important win.

Flight Two, Race Two, Mascalzone Latino Audi def Artemis, 00:38 -
A nice timed run start by Mascalzone Latino saw them tight to leeward of Artemis and hitting the line with speed, forcing the Swedish boat to tack away. The Italian team rounded the top mark with a lead of just one length but gained on the run to have a comfortable margin the rest of the way around.

Flight Three, Race One, BMW Oracle Racing def Emirates Team New Zealand, 00:19 – James Spithill and BMWOR won the start, and the right side of the course. Dean Barker and the Kiwis split away to the left for an early advantage but more pressure on the right drove the American boat ahead. Racing was close, close enough for a dial down confrontation at the top of the first beat and a series of protest flags at the top mark, all green flagged. Barker stayed within two boat lengths on the run and attacked with a series of muscle-punishing tacks upwind but Spithill dominated and won comfortably.

Flight Three, Race Two, Emirates Team New Zealand def BMW Oracle Racing, 00:01 – James Spithill controlled the start until the last minute when Dean Barker got under this guard and pushed BMWOR away from the favored right hand side. The Kiwi boat controlled comfortably with a two boat lead until the final leg when a crucial gybe saw the Americans advancing to trail by just five metres at the finish.

Results:

   1.  BMW ORACLE Racing, 7-1, 7 pts
   2.  Emirates Team New Zealand, 4-3, 3.5 pts *
= 3.  Artemis Racing, 3-4, 3 pts
= 3.  Synergy Russian Sailing Team, 3-5, 3 pts
= 3.  All4One, 3-5, 3 pts
   6.  Mascalzone Latino Audi Team, 3-5, 2 pts *

* Scoring penalty deducted by Umpires

The Louis Vuitton Trophy Dubai is under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, the principal sponsor of the event.

Provisional results:

1.  BMW ORACLE Racing, 7-1, 7 pts

2.  Emirates Team New Zealand, 4-3, 3.5 pts *

=3.  Artemis Racing, 3-4, 3 pts

=3.  Synergy Russian Sailing Team, 3-5, 3 pts

=3.  All4One, 3-5, 3 pts

6.  Mascalzone Latino Audi Team, 3-5, 2 pts *

* Scoring penalty deducted by Umpires

1655 Wow - BMW Oracle Racing picked up some pressure on the left and were starting to roll Emirates Team NZ. The delta at the finish: 1 second

1652 BMW Oracle gybe away. Emirates Team NZ continue. Ray Davies says he likes the pressure coming down from behind. The Kiwis have done well now 100m ahead

1650 8 second delta in the Kiwi's favour at the top mark

1649 Just short of the top mark the Kiwis come across to the port layline and take up the berth inside and ahead of the Kiwis. Their margin has dropped

1639 Emirates Team NZ round the starboard leeward gate mark looking upwind. BMW Oracle Racing follow, trailing by 8 seconds. BMW Oracle Racing immediately tack and the Kiwis follow

1636 Kiwis 44m ahead passing through the gate on the downwind leg 

1632 11 second lead to Emirates Team NZ at the top mark. 

1630 BMW Oracle cross astern of Emirates TNZ and tack back on the starboard layline. THe Kiwis seem to be just inside of it. 

1629 The Kiwis tack back from the right. 

1626 On Emirates Team NZ Ray Davies is talking about a right shift ahead

1625 Barker in strong position as the two boats duck back behind the line. BMW Oracle tack around and take the pin while the Kiwi head on to the committee boat and tack. Both boats power away at opposite ends of the line on starboard. 

1622 Dial up close to the pin, ominous for the Kiwi who bailed out and loop around the pin. 2 minutes to go and the boats are now into a second dial up the wrong side of the line

1620 Small delay for technical reasons. We're underway again with BMW Oracle Racing this time coming in from the favoured starboard end

1604 Warning signal for next race due at 16:08

1546: Ray Davies (Emirates Team NZ): "A close race, they had the better end of the line with 10 degrees of bias. It came close at the top when we were overlapped in the zone. We were right behind them and it was very very close at the bottom mark, We gave ourselves a better rounding. It was pretty good second beat with plenty of tacks and then the right hand side was pretty strong for them."

1545: John Kostecki on BMW Oracle Racing: "It was a tricky prestart. Our initial plan was to get to the left of them but we didn't. Fortunately the wind when our way and held a starboard advantage. The right came good and we had a little lead on the first beat." 

1542 Yet another point for BMW Oracle, who take their seventh win with a final delta of 19 seconds

1540 Emirates Team NZ just too far back to get a piece of BMW Oracle Racing on this last run. 

1536 BMW Oracle Racing first around the top mark for the final time, ahead by 21 seconds. Big gain up this leg to Spithill, Kostecki etc co 

1535 Emirates Team NZ steaming in along the port tack layline. But BMW Oracle still seem to hold the advantage. 

1534 Big separation in the second half of the beat with Emirates TNZ taking the right again. Hard to see what change this may have made

1527 Wind has gone right. Heavily favoured on starboard tack

1526 BMW Oracle lead around the starboard gybe mark. Emirates Team NZ choosen the same mark, the delta 9 seconds as it was at the top  mark. 

1525 Emirates Team NZ gybed early and can lay the starboard gybe mark. 

1516  Shortly before the top mark rounding BMW Oracle dial down the Kiwis and successfully lead around the mark 9 seconds ahead

1513 Just short of their respective laylines the boats tack back towards each other

1511 Big split with Emirates Team NZ still heading left, BMW Oracle right. 

1509 BMW Oracle go for the hook, unsuccessfully. They tack away. Split tack start with an early lead going to the Kiwis

1508 BMW Oracle Racing have taken the right as both boats head back to the line. The committee boat end is favoured. 

1506 We're on. Emirates Team NZ coming in from the right. BMW Oracle duck the dial up

1455 Course will be 335, wind trending left. 

1452 Warning signal due at 1503

1445 Stand by for Emirates Team NZ v BMW Oracle Racing

1436 We now have three boats tied for second. 

1435 Second point on the board for Mascalzone Latino. 38 second delta at the finish line. 

1430 Synergy are making a surprising come back despite not being able to gybe. But it is not enough All4One take the point, with a delta of 11 seconds.   

1429 Mascalzone round the top mark for the second time with a 37 seconds lead

1428 Mascalzone extending on Artemis. 126m ahead approaching the top mark

1427 Probably attempting to gybe on Synergy. Error with how the sheets have been led

1424 Back to square one. All4One round the top mark 7 seconds ahead just as they did on the first lap 

1422 Synergy and All4One reaching back to the mark with All4One having regained the lead. The second lead change of this race. Great work by Col and Schuemann

1421 Half up the top portion of the beat Synergy and All40ne are back to neck and neck as both boats hit the starboard tack layline and sail way past...

1420 Artemis tack on to starboard. Ahead Mascalzone respond tacking to cover 

1418 Mascalzone Latino round the RH leeward gate mark. Artemis follow around the same mark 19 seconds astern

1417 Synergy continuing to hang on to their newly gained lead now through the gate heading upwind. 30m lead to the Francesco Bruni-steered Russian boat. 

1416 Mascalzone Latino looking strong with a 74m lead just through the gate on the downwind leg. However they have shown a talent for mishap so far this regatta. 

1412 Synergy take the lead powering past and round the leeward gate's port hand mark  11 seconds ahead

1411 Synergy rolling All4One and successfully manage to keep clear. 

1408 Mascalzone and Artemis approach weather mark on starboard with the Italian boat ahead and to weather. They delay their tack to the mark and round the top mark 5 seconds ahead

1407 Approaching the gate midway down the run Synergy, behind, are close to getting the overlap

1406 Mascalzone Latino on the left slowly eeking out a lead  

1404 All4One lead Synergy around the top mark by 7 seconds. Still very close

1403 Right is possibly looking favoured. Artemis and Mascalzone even at the first cross

1401 Mascalzone Latino to leeward luff approaching the line. Brady and his Italian crew get the upper hand. Artemis tacks off

1400 Mascalzone Latino leading Artemis back to the line

1400 Further up the course the advantage line keeps swapping between All4One and Synergy

1359 Long dial up again between the Swedes and Italians

1357 Artemis v Mascalzone enter with the Italians from the starboard side. Dial up

1355 Approaching the pin big luff from Synergy forcing All4One to tack on to port

1354 30 seconds to the gun and the boats head back for the line with All4One to weather

1353 Some engagement just aft of the committee boat as Synergy tries to get on the Franco-German transom. Synergy lead back. They're both early. 

1352 All4One leads back into the box

1348 And we're off again. All4One with the favoured starboard entry. Dial up 

1343 Short delay. Next warning signal due at 1348

1340 Warning signal due at 1343 for Synergy v All4One match 2

1328 Wins for Artemis and Synergy see them jump Emirates Team NZ, both now tied in second place

1327 Comfortable win for Artemis. Mascalzone Latino trail by 39 seconds plus they still have a penalty.

1318 Synergy has overhauled All4One and take the win by 8 seconds 

1255 Coming into the weather mark. All4One have the inside berth and are overlapped. They sail Synergy beyond the mark. Synergy gybe set, All4One bear away set, still leading

1253 Slightly unconventional start with boat Mascalzone and Artemis crossing the line on port tack from behind the pin

1251 Penalty against Mascalzone probably for touching the transom of Artemis as they born away behind Artemis. 

1250 All4One blink first tacking back -  the right seems to have paid. They are 33m ahead of Synergy

1248 Mascalzone v Artemis. The Swedes come in from the favoured right. Dial up. Long dial up. 

1247 Monster split with Synergy heading out to the left, All4One to the right 

1244 Synergy succeed in getting the hook on the Franco-German team which are forced to tack. Split tack start with All4One slow across the line at the committee boat end, Synergy at speed towards the pin

1243 All4One leads Synergy back to the line 

1240 Synergy come into from the right, Dial up. Wind seems softer than forecast

1238 - forecast courtesy of Roger Badham is for the wind to be 320-340deg 12-15 knots at 1400, 330-350deg 13-16 knots by 1600 and 330-350deg 12-14 knots by 1800 (when it is dark...) 

1237 - first up is All4One v Synergy followed by Mascalzone Latino Audi Team v Artemis. Later on today we have the heavyweight bout between Emirates Team NZ and BMW Oracle Racing

1236 - Course will be 350, so left a little from yesterday. 

1235 - Looks like we are more or less on time. Peter Reggio says AP postponement flag will be down at 1237

1130 - The race boats have docked out on time - a good indication the breeze is coming up as forecast. First start time could be as early as 1230.

1000 - A bright, sunny morning here in Dubai, with the sea breeze forecast to come in earlier than in past days. Dock-out is scheduled for 1130, with a first warning signal possible at 1230.

It's a big day of racing with big implications for the leaderboard, including two matches between the top dogs, BMW ORACLE Racing and Emirates Team New Zealand.

All4One vs Synergy
Mascalzone Latino Audi vs Artemis

Synergy vs All4One
Artemis vs Mascalzone Latino Audi

BMW Oracle vs Emirates Team New Zealand

Emirates Team New Zealand vs BMW Oracle Racing

1710: Provisional results following today's races:

•   1.  BMW ORACLE Racing, 4-0, 4 pts
  
•   2.  Emirates Team New Zealand, 3-1, 2.5 pts
•   3.  Synergy Russian Sailing Team, 2-1, 2 pts
•   4.  Artemis Racing, 1-3, 1 pt
•   5.  Mascalzone Latino Audi Team, 1-2, 0 pts *
• =5.  All4One, 0-4, 0 pts

1700: Peter Reggio postpones today's final race until a later date

16:59 - Another race is scheduled for today but it is surely getting too dark?

16:57 - Morgan Larson on Mascalzone: "The port jib sheet broke at the start and we reled it to the halyard winch, but we were slow making it happen and it hurts you in manoeuvres particularly downwind. Those guys did a nice job on the last run and we got unlucky with the halyard breaking."

Rod Dawson "In the pre-start we came off the start line with a small edge, capitalised that up the beat and we did an upwind penalty which was a marginal call and it brought them closer to us..." 

1654 - Synergy win, taking the point that Mascalzone lost, with the biggest delta of the regatta - 1:19

1649: The Italian team's crew make a valiant attempt to rehoist the errant kite but they have lost too much speed and by the time they are back up to speed, Synergy are 400m ahead. 

1647: Kite on Mascalone Latino unexpected has dropped out of the sky during a gybe.  Synergy overtakes... 

1644: Mascalzone Latino gybe set at mark. Synergy bear away set. 

1643: Unfortunately for Synergy, Mascalzone Latino managed to get the inside berth at the top mark and have rounded the top mark ahead by a mere 3 seconds

1642: Synergy manage to carry out their penalty on the port layline en route to the top mark. THey are still ahead...just

1640: Mascalzone now heading for port payline, Synergy follow. Wind continuing to get lighter 

1636: Both boats on port with Synergy off to starboard heading up the second beat. 124m lead to the Russian team. 

1632: The wind is slowly easing as the boats approach the gate. Synergy take the right hand gate, looking up. The clock ticks off 27 seconds before Mascalzone Latino take the opposite gate. Synergy very close to having enough distance to do their penalty turn now.

1628: Synergy extending on the run, looking to get a big enough lead to make their penalty turn.

1626: Synergy lead Mascalzone Latino around the top mark by 11 seconds. 

1623: NB For this race because the wind has built slightly they are sailing course Alpha which has no gate in the middle of the upwind and downwind legs. 

1622: Out at the starboard layline, both boats have now tacked on to starboard and the Russian team on Synergy has nosed ahead. 

1620: Both boats have headed out to the starboard line, Mascalzone both leading and a penalty up. 

1617: Sorry a few site issues... Synergy picked up a penalty in the pre-start when trailing Mascalzone back to the line their bow had contact with the safety lines on the stern of the Italian boat. Synergy came close to shovelling out the Italians the wrong side of the committee boat, but were unsuccessful. 

1545: For those in the UAE, or with hefty satellite packages on their television, Dubai TV is running the racing live on their Sport Channels.

1541: Next up Synergy v Mascalzone Latino Audi Team

1539: 4-0 now for BMW Oracle Racing who beat Artemis with a 37 seconds delta. The AC defenders surging away in this round robin

1536: Victory for Emirates Team NZ by 17 seconds. John Cutler on All4One losing the lead: "We just didn’t do enough job. We positioned ourselves badly and that’s what you get."

1534 - BMW Oracle Racing looking comfortable. 38 seconds ahead on the final top mark rounding. 

1530 - Early gybed for both ETNZ and All40ne on the run, the Kiwis far enough ahead to be able to cover

1527 - Emirates Team NZ 19 seconds ahead of All4One at second top mark rounding 

1523 - 41 second lead for BMW Oracle Racing over Artemis at the leeward gate

1521 - after going out to the port layline, Emirates Team NZ lead Artemis past the port end of the gate on the second upwind leg with 60m lead and building

1519 - BMW Oracle leads through gate on the downwind leg, still with a substantial lead over Artemis. 160m according to Virtual Eye

1516 - Barker and his crew gybe ahead of All4One and the Franco-German protest is green flagged. The Kiwis lead around the leeward port hand gate mark, but make a less than perfect drop

1515 - Emirates Team NZ have rolled All4One. 

1514 - BMW Oracle leads Artemis around the top mark with a 0:31 delta

1513 - Peter Reggio announces a course change to 045 (10deg left)

1510 - BMW leads Artemis up their first upwind, Spithill crosses ahead and the two boats swap sides, BMW Oracle heading right

1508 - Emirates TNZ on the back foot again with All4One leading around the top mark by 10 seconds

1506 - BMW Oracle lead Artemis back to the line. Both early. Artemis by the committee boat tacks away. Split tack start. 

1505 - Artemis and BMW Oracle sail off towards the spectator fleet on the right side of the start area

1503 - Long dial up between BMW Oracle and Artemis, Artemis having come in from the right. 

1459 - Boats early for approach to line, Emirates Team NZ have held the right 

1458 - Much more aggressive pre-start. 

1456 - Emirates Team NZ duck out of the dial-up

1449 - New course 055deg. Bigger shift than Clouds forecasted. 

1447 - Warning signal will be at 1453 for All4One v Emirates Team NZ

1443 - Race team getting set up to resume racing

1439 - Breeze seems to be stabilising. 13 knots at the top mark. Closer to shore there are some vicious little gusts coming through 

1434 - Or not. PRO Peter Reggio says wind is 'cranking', which presumably is the RH trend we've been expecting. Standby to standby

1432 - Warning signal imminent for flight two match one. 

1422 - BMW Oracle Racing beats Artemis by 27 seconds. James Spithill and his America's Cup defender crew are the only team with a perfect scoreline

1416 - BMOR lead Artemis by 27 seconds around the top mark for the final time. 

1413 - Emirates TNZ beat All4One by 23 seconds at the finish

1410 - Emirates TNZ first to gybe but All4One stay put on on port

1407 - Emirates Team NZ and All4One still just ahead coming into the top mark for the second time. Seven second delta. All on still. 

1405 - Artemis play out their hand at the leeward rounding but it is green flagged by the umpires and BMW Oracle still lead, rounding nine seconds ahead. 

1403 - On Artemis the familiar tones of Iain Percy advise holding the kite to try and get the overlap at the leeward mark. Kite blow out on BMW Oracle Racing. 

1400 - Artemis and BMW Oracle Racing are almost neck and neck at the gate on the first run 

1357 - Emirates Team New Zealand and All4One even coming into the leeward mark/gate, rounding separate marks, Kiwis heading off to the right back on the breeze

1355 - BMW Oracle Racing lead Artemis around the top mark by 17 seconds

1353 - At the gate on the run , Emirates TNZ try and plant a penalty on All4One who are slow to come out of a gybe. Green flagged. 

1352 - According to Aussie met guru Roger 'Clouds' Badham, the wind is supposed to go right to 000-030deg and build to around 14-18 knots over the course of this afternoon. 

1348 - in the first match, Emirates Team NZ lead around the top mark with a 12 second delta over All4One

1347 - Big separation between Artemis and BMW Oracle Racing on the line with Artemis up to boat, both boats crossing on starboard tack. Again the leeward boats noses ahead

1345 - A little more contention in the start between the American and Swedish yachts. 

1344 - Artemis v BMW Oracle Racing with BMOR with starboard entry. Dial-up

1340 - Both cross the mid-boat end of the line together on starboard at speed. Small early lead to the Kiwis. All4One inevitably tack away. Kiwis follow

1339 - One minute to go and All4One roundup and head back for line. Lot of separation between the boats with the French/Germans still to weather. 

1337 - Three minutes to go and boats still diallup. All4One to weather, tack away. Emirates TNZ follow. Small error on Emirates TNZ boat as they bear away with checkstay caught around the end of the boom. 

1335 - All4One have favoured starboard entry. Into a dialup

1334 - Warning signal has gone. 

1328 - Weather mark at 348 degrees. Again they are running course B which has the start mid-way up the beat which then forms a gate midway up the beat and run.  

1320 - They need a little bit more time to set the course. But the breeze is in, so racing soon. They're hoping to set warning signal at 1333, for a 1340 start.

1300 - Racing has been delayed. The start sequence is expected to be at 1325.

1232 - Flight 1 today will see

Match 1 - Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL92) v All4One (NZL84)

Match 2 - Artemis (USA98) v BMW Oracle Racing (USA 87)

1200 - The leaderboard, following scoring penalties assigned by the Umpires last night, looks like this:

  1.   BMW ORACLE Racing, 2-0, 2 pts
=2.  Artemis Racing, 1-1, 1 pt
=2.  Synergy Russian Sailing Team, 1-1, 1 pt
  4.  Emirates Team New Zealand, 1-1, 0.5 pts *
  5.  Mascalzone Latino Audi Team, 1-1, 0 pts *
  6.  All4One, 0-2, 0 pts

* Scoring penalty deducted by Umpires

In this video clip, Umpire Bill Edgerton explains the additional sanctions.

1120 - Good conditions in the forecast, but the wind isn't fililng in as fast as we'd like. So the Race Committe is holding the boats ashore.

1200 Race Boats off the dock
1300 Earliest Warning Signal

0945 - According to event forecaster Roger 'Clouds' Badham, we can expect a good northerly sea breeze today, with up to 18 knots expected late this afternoon. Good racing conditions!

1720 - BMW ORACLE Racing takes the win, and will top the leaderboard tonight with a perfect 2-0 record.

1710 - It's all going BMW ORACLE Racing's way as they extend their lead approaching the top mark for the second time. Spectacular sunset pictures here, with the light fading fast on All4One.

1701 - BMW ORACLE Racing in control through the leeward gate, leading All4One into the second lap of the race course. If the Americans hold on, they'll be top of the table after day one, the only team with two wins.

1656 - All4One throwing some gybes in at BMW ORACLE Racing, hoping to force an error. But to this point, Spithill and co. are holding firm.

1653 = The American team is around with a narrow advantage. With the sun closing down on the horizon, All4One give chase, trying to get on the breeze of BMW ORACLE.

1649 - They've done it. They've taken All4One above the layline, with both boats tacking for the mark. BMW ORACLE has a slender advantage.

1647 - A real drag race in this one. Both boats on starboard tack with BMW ORACLE to windward, hoping to push All4One out to the layline.

1645 - All4One and Seb Col leading back, with BMW ORACLE Racing pushing. The Americans will have the right hand side, with the French/German team on the left.

1633 - Warning signal at 1638, with both boats ready to go.

1626 - Both teams having small equipment issues, so not ready to get racing yet. And the sun is sneaking down on the horizon. It might be difficult to squeeze this last match in.

1614 - Start pushed back five minutes, to warning at 1623, start at 1630.

1613 - From BMW ORACLE Racing tactician John Kostecki: "They sailed a good tight race and we just kept it close and safe."

1612 - The Race Committee will try for a warning at 1618, race start at 1625.

1610 - A win for BMW ORACLE Racing and these two will attempt to get going again immediately. The light is fading, they'll have to start quickly.

1555 - BMW ORACLE protecting the right side on the second beat, and are comfortable here.

1551 - All4One have closed the game up at the leeward gate, just a half length back, but they still owe a penalty turn.

1544 - There are good images in from the ETNZ and ML Audi collision. Check out the gallery.

1543 - BMW ORACLE Racing around the top with a lead and up by a penalty. Strong position for the US team here.

1540 - A good replay to show why the penalty. As All4One swept their bow down in an attempt to get a hook, their bow hit the protective wands on BMW ORACLE Racing. The French didn't have a leeward position then, they we're sweeping down in an attempt to get there and were simply too close. Penalty.

1536 - Across the starting line, BMW ORACLE Racing skipper Jimmy Spithill has the advantage, up one penalty over All4One and on the right hand side of the race course. Spithill crossing ahead of the French boat in repeated tacking duels.

1534 - Penalty in this prestart to All4One - yellow penalty. Failing to keep clear as they looked to put a hook in on BMW ORACLE.

1530 - A further five minute delay. But we're into it now, 5-minute gun fired, All4One and BMW ORACLE Racing into the start box.

1515 - Warning signal planned for 1523, with a start at 1530. All4One against BMW ORACLE Racing.

1454 - We're still on holding, waiting for the next race start, but it shouldn't be long.

1444 - Synergy win by 31 seconds. Tactician Rod Dawson: "Our call was to get to the right but we ended up split tack, with us on the left, and him on the right. They had a piece of us on the first cross and we're in control but we switched halfway up the beat and were able to keep the race from there. The guys did a great job of keeping the boat fast downwind without a pole."

1437 - ETNZ collect a point for sailing the course with Mascalzone asked to retire by the race committee. The Italians were trailing and still owed a penalty, so ETNZ were in a very strong position regardless. And in Match Two, Synergy approaching the finishing line with a point all but assured. All four teams will be on 1-1 records following flight two.

1432 - Synergy extending now, over 100 metres approaching the top mark for the second time.

1425 - Synergy through the leeward gate with an 11 second lead.

1423 - The shore crews on the water have asked the Race Committee to have Maslcalzone Latino NOT sail upwind. The boatbuilders are concerned with the damage in the area of the running backstays. ETNZ will continue around the race course to collect the point.

1415 - Meanwhile, Synergy carries an 11-second lead around the top mark - no collisions in this one!

1412 - The tip of the ETNZ spinnaker pole is still impaled through the side of the ML boat. Cameron Dunn, on ML is looking at the tip of the pole sticking through beside his feet. So ETNZ without a pole, ML given two penalties. They've made one turn, still owe another. There may be additional sanctions to both teams for a collision like that. We'll see what the Jury says this evening.

1408 - Big action at the top mark with ETNZ and Mascalzone. Collision, the Kiwi bow scraping down the starboard side of the Mascalzone boat... there will be penalties here. Mascalzone Latino is penalised. And doing turns. The ETNZ spinnaker pole has gone through the side of the Italian boat and broken off.

1406 - Two new helmsman for each team here, with Francesco Bruni on Synergy and Cameron Appleton on Artemis. Coming back towards the line now, Synergy to the right and needing to kill time. Artemis in control. Synergy start to the left, Artemis tack and charge out to the right. Both tack after the start and Artemis is coming back with starboard advantage.

1403 - Into Match Two, with Synergy coming in from the left and Artemis holding the starboard advantage into the dial-up.

1402 - The squeeze is on, the Kiwis pushing high and Mascalzone Latino forced to tack. The Kiwis follow immediately. Advantage ETNZ.

1400 - And at the line, it's Mascalzone Latino on the right, with ETNZ tight to leeward on the left. Mascalzone Latino isn't tacking immediately, they'll try to hold on to the right for as long as possible.

1358 - Approaching the line, both boats are early, time to kill.

1356 - Wind up near 10 knots for this second flight.

1355 - And they're into the start box, with Emirates Team New Zealand coming in from the right on starboard and Mascalzone Latino Audi Team from the pin end on port. Dial-up.

1350 - Next warning signal, for Flight 2, is scheduled for 1353, for a 1400 start.

1341 - Artemis is through with a convincing win in Match 2. Here's new Artemis tactician Iain Percy: "In light winds like this, a tight leeward is a strong start and that's what we were going for. And Cam executed well; we were close enough to shut him out at the line and that's what we went for. It's a nice easy race when you a lead like that and the guys did well in the prestart."

1336 - Ray Davies, tactician on ETNZ: "We didn't get the start we wanted, and they had the initial lead. We did a good job on the run, to get the lead, but when he gybed, we didn't think he'd get into the zone ahead of the gate. But he managed to just get around us and the lead went back to them. They sailed well. It's hard to come back on this short course."

1332 - A win for Mascalzone Latino as they cross the finishing line with a 27 second lead. In match two, Artemis is well ahead of Synergy. Both pairs will race again immediately. They won't switch sides, but they will switch startline entry.

1327 - Mascalzone extending to a 25 second lead at the second windward mark.

1324 - All same on both race courses with Mascalzone Latino extending on Emirates Team New Zealand and Artemis looking strong over Synergy.

1317 - In the second match, Artemis is holding a comfortable lead over Synergy with that early penalty to the Russian team.

1316 - Mascalzone Latino are around. They roll over and round the mark ahead. It's a narrow lead however, and the Kiwis are forced to tack around the same gate mark, trailing.

1315 - But the Kiwis are on a march here. They've rolled over Mascalzone approaching the bottom gate. The kiwis gybe and now it's Mascalzone Latino who are getting on the breeze of the Kiwis. This is going to be very close.

1312 - Back to match one, where Mascalzone has extended a little bit more, out to a 45 metre advantage.

1309 - The second match, between Artemis and Synergy saw Synergy with Francesco Bruni at the helm just squeeze in at the start, taking the right hand side. Artemis called for a penalty and the Umpires agreed, giving a Red Flag penalty, forcing Synergy into an immediate turn. Advantage to Artemis.

1308 - The new race course format forces the teams to pass through the mid-course start line as a gate, keeping the action close.

1306 -Mascalzone Latino are around the top mark with a slender lead of one both length - or 8 seconds - at the top.

1303 - Cross coming as the Kiwis tack. Mascalzone Latino Audi team is able to win the first cross and switch sides over to the right. To power of the right is important. It's a shorter race track here, so Mascalzone Latino holding the early advantage.

1302 - Both boats with a man up the mast in the light sea breeze conditions. Mascalzone tacks out to the left of ETNZ.

1300 - Both teams hit the line with speed, both on starboard tack, ML Audi team to leeward. Emirates Team New Zealand to windward forced to tack off to the right, handing the advantage line to Mascalzone Latino.

1258 - Two minutes to go, Mascalzone Latino Audi leading ETNZ back into the start box. Ray Davies, the Kiwi tactician calling out 'split start on port'.

1253 - The AP is down and we're into warning signal. Race start at 1300.

1230 - The sea breeze is just beginning to build, so we'll be going into a race postponement.

1100 - Dock-out has been delayed until 1130, with no start before 1230. But the forecast is for the sea breeze to arrive near noon and build quickly. Racing should start between 1230 and 1300.

The regatta will open with two Rounds Robin, scheduled from Sunday 14^th, through Tuesday 23^rd. Points are accumulated over both rounds and the top four teams advance to the Semi Final.

In Round Robin One, each team will sail every other team twice, in back to back matches. In each pairing, the teams will alternate ends of the start line for the two matches, but will not switch boats. Each win in Round Robin One is worth one point.

In Round Robin Two, each team will sail every other team once. Boat allocation is reversed for each pairing in Round Robin One. Start line entrance for each pair will continue to alternate from Round Robin One. A win in Round Robin Two is worth two points.

This means the draw for boats and start line entry at the opening press conference on Friday will likely see teams putting a priority on choosing to have starboard entry at the start line. Winning the draw will allow a team to have starboard entry in two of three matches in a pairing.

Following Round Robin Two, the top four teams on the leaderboard (based on Round Robin One and Round Robin Two) advance to the Semi Finals. The top ranked team will choose its opponent. The other two teams will be the second pairing. The Semi Final is a ‘first to two points’ series.

The two winning teams advance to a ‘first to three points’ Final. The losing Semi Finalists will race in a Petite Final if the schedule allows.

On Thursday 25^th November, there is a one-day fleet racing regatta. Up to three races will be held, with each team sailing in up to two races. The fleet race regatta is a stand-alone event and is scored separately to the Louis Vuitton Trophy Dubai.

The format and scoring for the Louis Vuitton Trophy Dubai is detailed in the event Sailing Instructions.

At 1300, All4One and Emirates Team New Zealand went sailing for an afternoon testing session in the two boats supplied by the Kiwi team. The other two boats for the event, from BMW ORACLE Racing, will go out on Monday.

All4One tactician John Cutler (NZL) said his team had a productive first sail in Dubai, but will step up the intensity on Monday.

“Everyone arrived in Dubai late last night so we were a bit jet-lagged but we wanted to get out there and get on the water and start sailing,” he explained. “We did a few tacks, spinnaker hoists, gybes, drops and just went through our paces. We had about 15 knots of breeze, so it was a really nice day of sailing.”

Matti Paschen (GER), the spinnaker trimmer, has spent a lot of time sailing off the coast here with Team Sea Dubai, in the RC 44 Class. He says this time of year typically brings sea breeze conditions, ideal for racing.

“We can expect good conditions,” he says. “Usually every day you get a sea breeze filling in at around 1300, maybe 10 knots. It’s normally very consistent. For racing, it’s ideal.”

He says the team was shaking out the cobwebs today, relearning the routines necessary to work the boat around the race course with 17 crew working in concert.

“We haven’t been on a Cup boat since La Maddalena, and you really need to work together on these boats, so we’re just getting into it again, but it’s coming along well already.”

Also coming together is the Race Village. The Dubai International Marine Club is a hub of activity with final preparations well underway.

The Race Village is scheduled to open on Friday, with the teams taking testing sessions on the race boats all week. The opening press conference for the regatta is on Friday evening, with racing in the first round robin to begin on Sunday.

The Louis Vuitton Trophy Dubai is under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, the Principal Sponsor of the event.

The event will be held at the Royal Swedish Yacht Club, where the team is expected to present its challenge for the 34th America's Cup.

Fans of the team can watch live online at www.artemisracing.com.

The press conference is scheduled from 1330 to 1530 CET.

“Having representation on the board of ACRM is an important check and balance on the overall fairness of the next America’s Cup for all teams,” said Paul Cayard, the chairman of the WSTA. “We are confident our nominees will greatly contribute to the execution of the vision for AC 34 while representing the interests of the challengers in the management of the event.”

ACRM is the body charged in the Protocol with providing “neutral, independent, professional, and fair race management” for the next edition of the America’s Cup.

The board of ACRM consists of five people – the recently appointed Regatta Director Iain Murray (AUS), as well as one representative from the Defender, one from the Challenger of Record, and the two appointed by WSTA.

Mikhail Tuzov is a businessman, engineer and investor in Russia who was among the founders of the Synergy Russian Sailing Team, which has successfully competed in the TP52 Class on the Audi MedCup circuit and in the Louis Vuitton Trophy.

James Farmer is a Barrister and Queen’s Counsel in New Zealand and has been a Director and Trustee with Emirates Team New Zealand since 2004. He was the team’s representative on the Challenger Commission during the 32^nd America’s Cup.

“ACRM welcomes the appointments of James Farmer and Mikhail Tuzov as WSTA’s board representatives to ACRM,” said Iain Murray, ACRM CEO and Regatta Director of the 34th America’s Cup. “This brings us one step closer to formalising ACRM and moving forward on preparations for running the 34th America’s Cup regatta. The Board will play an important part in assuring a fair competition for all.”

As per the Protocol, the two members nominated by WSTA will have their positions on the board confirmed by a majority vote of the Competitors Forum following the close of entries for the Cup early next year.

The WSTA was created in the spring of 2009 to promote the interests of the some of the top sailing teams in the world. In partnership with Louis Vuitton, the WSTA has organised three Louis Vuitton Trophy events, with a fourth and final regatta scheduled in Dubai next month.

Artemis went into the final day with a narrow one point lead over Emirates Team New Zealand, who sit atop the season championship leaderboard. But Cayard's team was able to battle back from a poor first leg to beat earn a second place finish in the only race of the day, locking up the win in Barcelona.

The second place finish for Emirates Team New Zealand keeps them at the top of the overall MedCup leaderboard.

TeamOrigin was able to eke out a sixth place finish in Barcelona, while some of the other Louis Vuitton Trophy teams struggled.

Luna Rossa was ninth, Synergy tenth and the All4One team, after a third place finish in Marseille, tumbled down the table to an eleventh place finish.

On the overall leaderboard, the skippers of the top four teams have heavy LVT representation, with Emirates Team New Zealand leading Quantum (with Terry Hutchinson as skipper), Artemis and TeamOrigin. All4One is sixth and Synergy eighth.

Racing is scheduled to start on 14^th November on the waters off the Dubai International Marine Club – Mina Seyahi, concluding two weeks later on the 27^th November.

The teams will have two official practice days ahead of racing, on the 12th and 13th November.

Racing will take place off the coast of Mina Seyahi, near the Palm Island Jumeirah, on four ACC boats - NZL 84 & 92 and USA 87 & 98.

Emirates Team New Zealand heads into the event as the team to beat, after winning the last two Louis Vuitton Trophy regattas in Auckland in February and La Maddalena, in June.

Ainslie beat Jesper Radich in the final to lead TeamOrigin to a 2-0 victory in light, shifty conditions on the latest stop of the World Match Racing Tour.

With the win, Ainslie and TeamOrigin leap up to fifth place on the overall tour standings.

Francesco Bruni of the Azzurra team was also competing in Marstrand. He finished in sixth place and is seventh on the overall Tour ranking.

There's a full report on the event over on the World Match Racing Tour site here.

The winning team in Marseille, Quantum racing, was led by skipper Terry Hutchinson, who helms Artemis in the Louis Vuitton Trophy events. The talented American sailor led his Quantum team to its first victory on the tour in over a year.

Not far behind, Jochen Schuemann and Seb Col again turned in a strong performance for the All4One team, who finished in third place in Marseille. And the second place finisher, Matador, had Azzurra's Francesco Bruni calling tactics.

Emirates Team New Zealand was fourth - their lowest finish in a year - with Britain's TeamOrigin fifth and Synergy sixth. The Kiwis still lead on the overall leaderboard for the season.

"We have a fight on our hands for sure," acknowledged tactician Ray Davies. "But if you look at the voerall pciture it has not really changed that much. We just have to pick our game up. I think we just need to be doing the basics well and stick to that philosophy."

Luna Rossa and Artemis struggled in the Marseille event, finishing in ninth and tenth place.

The regatta marks the end of a long spell of racing for many of the sailors, who have been on the go for up to eight consecutive weeks. Many will be returning home to spend some well-deserved time with family before resuming racing in the summer.

Team Origin had been pushing Mascalzone Latino hard down the run to the leeward gate of their match. With Gavin Brady taking the right-hand mark, Ben Ainslie gybed around the left, and looked to have got back on level terms with the Italian team.

Then the boat stopped dead in the water. To those watching the online race coverage, it wasn’t immediately obvious why. It had been a messy spinnaker drop, but the full story didn’t emerge until after the race. Australian trimmer Mike Mottl had been injured, his ankle caught in the spinnaker sheet as the spinnaker fell over the side of the boat.

Tactician Iain Percy looks back at the race, which they ended up losing to Mascalzone as a result of the leeward gate incident. “Downwind we fought well and managed to be on their tail, got into a position where we were able to gybe to the favoured mark when they were half way up with their jib,” said Percy. “But we struggled to get the kite down and unfortunately had to cut it free and the halyard went, the tack went, and the sheet went off, but still attached to Mike Mottl's foot, which is pretty dodgy at that point.

“The jammer immediately smashed off, so the load went straight on to Mike's foot, which is a pretty scary situation and fortunately Ben and the mainsheet trimmer were on to it straight away, spun the boat head to wind and dumped sails to try and take a bit of load off, and three seconds later we'd knifed it. It was pretty good to see his foot attached to his leg at the end of the race. In the scheme of things that's what matters most."

Chris Salthouse, the mainsheet trimmer who reacted so quickly in dumping the power, added: “We were obviously all very concerned about his injury, Mike was very brave to continue to race hard thoughout the rest of the race and we hope he will be back on the boat as soon as possible.”

Mottl is recovering in hospital. Early reports say that no bones have been broken, but some muscle has been deeply torn and his leg is swollen.

1804 - Aleph close up the game at the finish, but trail by 15 seconds across the line.

1802 - Aleph is starting to make a bit of a charge here, but it looks like they'll run out of runway.

1800 - All4One secure halfway down the run.

1758 - All4One double their lead out to 27 seconds around the top mark.

1756 - Seb Col and the gang on All4One are in control here, extending out to 180 metres on the advantage line.

1753 - All4One extending a little bit here on the second beat. They're in a strong position.

1750 - A 14 second lead for All4One through the leeward gate. Aleph follow them through and both boats tack, with All4One in a strong covering position.

1747 - All4One gybe away, still up by 75 metres. Aleph follow suit.

1744 - Aleph is behind by 14 seconds around the top, a 75 metre lead to All4One.

1742 - All4One come back across now and tack in front of Aleph on the port tack layline. It's a healthy lead for Seb Col on All4One.

1741 - A bit of a split now with All4One heading out to the right and Aleph heading towards the port tack layline. All4One look happy out on the right.

1738 - Still with strong wind on the race course - 17 knots - as they come into another cross with All4One ahead by 20 metres and protecting the right again.

1737 - First cross and All4One ahead and protecting the right, tacking on the line of Aleph.

1735 - All4One starts to the right of Aleph, who is slightly bow forward of the French/German team. Two French helmsmen, Sebastien Col v Bertrand Pacé...

1732 - Back into prestart, with Aleph in a strong position early.

1728 - We're into the prestart for All4One and Aleph.

1606 - Next match - All4One versus Aleph...

1604 - Mascalzone wins the match comfortably, Team Origin crossing 35 seconds back, a big loss after such a tight match early on in the race...

1559 - Origin trail six boatlengths at the final mark, gybing away in one last gasp attempt to get back at Mascalzone...

1554 - Origin trawled the spinnaker in the drop, that was why they stopped at the leeward mark, big mistake! It was in the boat and then it fell out again...

1552 - Origin stop dead out of the leeward mark, sails flogging before they get going again, now yielding almost four boatlengths to Mascalzone who have tacked to loose cover, big setback for the Brits...

1551 - Boats peel out of different leeward marks absolutely together, Italy to the right up the beat, Origin to the left...

1548 - Mascalzone has the jib up before gybing, Origin gybing too, a collapsing kite on the British boat yielding some ground to Italy, less than two boatlengths the deficit, not far from the leeward gate now...

1547 - Origin gets a turn of pace on downwind, getting right on to Mascalzone's transom and in a great attacking position, ready to gybe on top of the Italians if they try to gybe...

1545 - Mascalzone has to do two tacks to get to the mark, slowing up but rounding 10 seconds ahead of Origin who luffs to get round before hoisting, the gap still about two boatlengths...

1543 - Mascalzone looking like they're on the layline, Origin to windward and behind, two boatlengths back, all that early lead gone...

1539 - Right-hand windshift lifts Mascalzone inside Origin and reducing the deficit, now neck and neck as Origin tacks and Brady tacks on Ainslie's face, the Brits tacking back again, Brady now holding the advantage....

1535 - Boat boats late for the start, but Origin bow forward and a boatlength's advantage on Mascalzone. Surprisingly docile start from Gavin Brady and giving himself a lot of work to do...

1534 - Origin comes in from above the line, Mascalzone staying below, killing the time and watching the time on distance...

1532 - Pin-end favoured line, Britain and Italy jostling above the line for the right to claim the left-hand end of the line...

1530 - Mascalzone comes in from left, Origin from the right, into a dial-up just to windward of the start line...

1527 - Into the warning signal now. 7 minutes to the start.

1524 - First up is Mascalzone Latino against TeamOrgin. These are all important races for final position on the Round Robin leaderboard.

1517 - Warning signal now at 1525...

1510 - We are looking at a warning signal at 1520. Wind is still up in the 17 to 20 knot range.

1445 - The race boats have left the port and returned to the racing area. The wind is now more in the 17 to 20 knot range, down considerably from 20 to 26 we were seeing all morning. Hopefully we'll see a start soon.

1345 - There are signs the breeze is beginning to moderate a little bit. Peter Reggio is getting reports from the race course area that wind has eased slightly. Hopefully racing can begin by mid-afternoon.

1200 - Breeze has stayed at the high end, still in the mid-20 knot range, so waiting for things to calm down before the boats go out....

1050 - Wind is dropping a little, from 26 knots down to 20 knots, so a possible race start at midday....

0930 - With the wind consistenly above 25 knots, the Race Committee is sending the race boats back to shelter, but PRO Peter Reggio will remain on station. His forecast is for the wind to moderate over the course of the morning. Racing will start as soon as it does.

0900 - We'll be in postponement with the wind well above 22 knots this morning. The race boats are seeing readings as high as 26 knots at the top of the mast.

0810 - The pairings today are:

Mascalzone Latino Audi Team vs. TeamOrigin

All4One vs. Aleph

Emirates Team New Zealand vs. Mascalzone Latino Audi Team

Artemis vs. All4One

The All4One team is the only team racing today that is in complete control of its destiny. If it wins both of its races today, it will finish at the top of the Round Robin leaderboard.

0800- Big winds overnight and into this morning in La Maddalena. The forecast for much of the morning is for Westerlies in the 16 to 20+ knot range. But it should ease to 15 to 18 by late morning and stay there for most of the day.

1 ARTEMIS 6
2 EMIRATES TEAM NEW ZEALAND 5
2 SYNERGY RUSSIAN SAILING TEAM 5
4 MASCALZONE LATINO AUDI TEAM 4 *
4 ALL4ONE 4
4 AZZURRA 4
4 TEAMORIGIN 4
8 LUNA ROSSA 3
9 BMW ORACLE RACING 3
10 ALEPH SAILING TEAM-2 *

1859 - Artemis are across. A great win for the team, who get up to the top of the leaderboard, alone in first place on six points.

1858 - Terry Hutchinson and Paul Cayard looking safe now. 'Nice one guys. That was a big one,' from Cayard to the team as they near the finish line.

1852 - As the Kiwis tack to come across, it's Artemis who look very, very strong approaching the top mark.

1849 - A big split here with the Kiwis moving out to the right. Artemis appears to be extending on the left, but ETNZ has leverage out there.

1846 - A tacking duel now early on the second beat.

1845 - It's a 10 second lead for Artemis through the leeward gate.

1843 - TNZ gybe away and Artemis appears to be extending in the latter stages of the run.

1842 - Both boats into a gybe now, heading down on a long starboard gybe towards the gate.

1839 - Artemis round with a narrow lead. They drop the front of the pole into the water as they prepare their spinnaker for the hoist. It's a 10 second lead for Artemis around the mark. They're still in the lead.

1838 - Artemis in a very strong position here, leading ETNZ in to the mark down the starboard tack layline

1834 - Both boats tack and now it's Artemis desperately trying to hold on to windward of the Kiwi boat.

1832 - Artemis closing the lateral gap nicely with ETNZ, it's hard to see how the Kiwis can keep holding on there windward hip.

1829 - With a minute to go they turn back towards the starting line. Artemis and ETNZ roar towards the line with the Kiwis to the right and Artemis to the left.

1825 - Into the dial up for ETNZ vs. Artemis. Unfortunately due to the long delays today, we don't have data off the boats. This will be audio only I'm afraid.

1659 - Azzurra are across. A great win for the Italians.

1654 - This race all but eliminates BMW ORACLE Racing from making the quarterfinals. Assuming Azzurra hold on, barring some kind of penalty points deducted following today's or tomorrow's races, Aleph will finish 10th and BMW ORACLE Racing 9th.

1654 - Azzurra around with a massive 48 second lead.

1651 - It's all Azzurra on this second beat with the Italians extending well ahead.

1647 - TeamOrigin have the right, about 350 metres separation from Azzurra. Now Origin tack and Azzurra looks strong.

1645 - A nice drop by Azzurra who take the left hand side of the course for the second beat. Origin gets separation on the right hand side of the course, 19 seconds back.

1644 - It's been a good run for TeamOrigin who have made little gains. They've completed their hoists and gybes cleaner than Azzurra.

1639 - It's Azzurra around with a lead of 14 seconds.

1637 - It's Azzurra making small gains on the right. With the starboard advantage, they're in strong position here.

1631 - Off the starting line, it's Origin to the left with a 20 metre lead on the advantage line.

1630 - Into the start with TeamOrigin against Azzurra. The wind is still up near 20 knots.

1433 - The Race Committee is sending the boats in. But racing hasn't been cancelled for the day. They'll wait and monitor conditions.

1430 - The wind is getting pretty strong out there. We'll wait to hear from the Race Committee about the next start time for Azzurra vs. TeamOrigin.

1426 - Azzurra make a late charge, halving the lead, but BMW ORACLE Racing are going to win this race.

1423 - Both boats gybe... good work by the BMW ORACLE crew. A little slower on Azzurra, but they're through now. And both boats are laying the finish line.

1421 - Spithill eases BMW ORACLE Racing around the top mark and they head down on the final run to the finish with a lead of 30 seconds.

1417 - BMW ORACLE Racing will hold a loose cover up this leg.

1415 - Azzurra tacks around the mark and BMW ORACLE Racing follow suit, covering well.

1414 - A nice job by the American team leading through the gate with a 28 second lead. Both boats take the left hand mark (looking upwind) for this second weather leg.

1412 - All BMW ORACLE Racing on the run, leading by 180 metres coming into the mark.

1408 - It's a big lead to BMW ORACLE Racing at the top mark, as they're 26 seconds ahead.

1403 - Azzurra tack and follow just to windward of BMW ORACLE Racing. The American team in control here.

1402 - BMW ORACLE Racing tacking to consolidate their lead now. They'll cross well ahead of the Azzurra boat.

1400 - A great timed run by BMW ORACLE Racing who streak across the line  at the pin end with a big lead over the start line.

1359 - An intense pre-start with big breeze on the race course - up near 20 knots now.

1355 - Into the start sequence now.

1340 - Next start in postponement, with BMW ORACLE Racing flying a white flag, indicating a problem on ITA90.

1305 - A big win for Luna Rossa, crossing ahead by more than 150 metres.

1257 - All Luna Rossa in this one now... They're well ahead of Aleph approaching the top mark.

1253 - It's all Luna Rossa now, stretching out to 450 metre lead.

1252 - Luna Rossa is around and upwind with Alephy sailing a couple of hundred metres downwind of the gate.

1250 - Untidy gybes on both boats, but more trouble on Aleph. They haven't turned upwind, they can't get the gennaker down. Trouble for Aleph here.

1249 - Aleph roll into a final gybe for the gate, with Luna Rossa crossing ahead of them.

1247 - Good gybes on both boats as they roar downwind.

1245 - Luna Rossa extenind a lot around the top mark. Over 110 metres to the good on the advantage line.

1243 - Luna Rossa will make it around. Aleph trying to squeeze up but it's a big luff to get there. Aleph will be very slow.

1240 - All the way out near the port tack layline now with Luna Rossa tacking and Aleph forced to tack under them to leeward. Not clear on whether either boat can lay the mark from this distance.

1239 - Luna Rossa easing forward a little bit here. But Aleph still controlling on the right.

1237 - Still Luna Rossa who is bow forward. Aleph controlling the play from the right.

1235 - There's the start. Luna Rossa has the early advantage, bow forward, with Aleph holding the right hand side.

1233 - Plenty of circling and finally back on the push now with Aleph trailing and pushing Luna Rossa towards the start.

1231 - Plenty of breeze now, 15+ knots in the start area.

1230 - Into the prestart now with Aleph holding starboard advantage into a dial-up.

1229 - This is a big match for Luna Rossa. A win here will make them all but certain to make the quarterfinals.

1228 - Into the warning signal now, the start is at 1235 for the next match between Aleph and Luna Rossa.

1144 - Confirmation from the Race Committee - a win for Mascalzone Latino Audi Team.

1143 - UNBELIEVABLE! MASCALZONE LATINO APPEARS TO HAVE CROSSED AHEAD. THERE IS NOTHING BETWEEN THEM.

1142 - The advantage line has dropped from 50 metres to 13. Mascalzone Latino thundering in towards the finishing line. It's going to be close.

1141 - Aleph gybe away but it's poorly executed. Aleph slow now. This could be a turning point.

1139 - Aleph throw in a dummy gybe and then go. Mascalzone Latino gybe inside and to windward of Aleph, but it's not a great gybe on the Italian boat. Aleph appear to be ok, but ML is working hard to get on the air of Aleph.

1137 - Mascalzone Latino positioned well to attack on this run, soaking down to leeward of Aleph.

1136 - A tack around the mark by Aleph with Mascalzone atino roaring in behind at pace just 7 seconds back.

1134 - A big 400 metre separation approaching the top mark. Aleph coming in from a long way out to the right. Mascalzone Latino will come in from the left as they approach the port tack layline.

1132 - And again. The French are maintaining that two length lead.

1130 - Now they converge again. Aleph is about two lengths clear.

1128 - A couple of covering tacks but now Mascalzone Latino finds some separation out to the left.

1127 - Just a 7 second delta through the gate. Both take the right hand mark (looking upwind), with ML rolling into a tack around the mark and Aleph covering.

1125 - Mascalzone Latino gybes again, crossing behind Aleph, who gybe directly ahead of the Italian boat. It's a 48 metre lead on the advantage line for the French team.

1123 - Aleph holding a 50 metre lead. Aleph throws a dummy gybe, and ML rolls into one. Aleph follows a few seconds later.

1120 - Aleph around with an 11 second lead.

1119 - A nice move by Aleph near the top mark, getting in a tack clear ahead of ML and leading into the mark.

1114 - Nice work by the Aleph team to this point as they work through the tacking duel.

1113 - Aleph bow forward into the tacking duel as Brady and Mascalzone Latino try to avoid getting pushed out to the left too early.

1112 - Aleph ahead by a boatlength at the first cross, as they bounce away to opposite tacks again, the French protecting the right...

1110 - Aleph tacks almost immediately back to starboard, now running parallel to Mascalzone and not much to choose between them at this stage...

1109 - Mascalzone trying to push Aleph up to the start, but Pacé tacks away toward the committee boat, a split-tack start, Mascalzone going to the left...

1107 - Mascalzone stopped for a while, but getting going again and moving to the right, with Aleph busily circling but not to much effect, as they go into a new set of clockwise circles...

1105 - Pre-start between Aleph and Mascalzone, Bertrand Pacé on the hunt against Gavin Brady, who came in from the left...

1034 - Next match - Mascalzone have an opportunity to make amends for that last match, with a battle this time against Aleph...

1033 - Mascalzone closes the gap to 26 seconds by the finish, but still a penalty down, so that was a whopping victory for BMW Oracle, sorely in need of points to climb out of the bottom end of the score board...

1026 - Mascalzone has reduced the deficit to 27 seconds at the final mark, but still posing no threat to BMW Oracle, the Italians yet to take their second penalty...

1017 - Oracle goes around the right-hand gate mark and tacks over to loose cover Mascalzone who round 44 seconds back, going around the other gate mark and aiming left up the beat...

1011 - Mascalzone trails by 49 seconds at the first mark, BMW Oracle looking very comfortable indeed...

1007 - Big separation for a while, Oracle quite relaxed about giving Mascalzone space to the right, and as they cross to the centre again, the distance even greater, with the Americans now more than 200m ahead of Italy...

1001 - BMW Oracle starts two boatlengths ahead and then stretches out to more than six boatlengths as Mascalzone takes the first of its penalties right off the line. The Americans have only won one match so far, but surely another point in the bag against Mascalzone...

0958 - Oracle sticks a penalty on Mascalzone, and now another penalty! Very aggressive sailing from James Spithill, still pushing hard on Gavin Brady. No mercy from the Australian against the Kiwi skipper...

0955 - Pre-start begins, Mascalzone from the left, BMW Oracle aiming at the Italians, and into a dial-up...

0953 - Wind blowing around 8 to 10 knots

0950 - Warning Signal sounds for first match of the day - Mascalzone Latino v BMW Oracle Racing...

0925 - Race committee on the move, looking for better breeze...

0902 - Wind is down range on the race area, at around 5 to 7 knots.

0900 - Short postponement.

0815 - The boats have left the dock for the race course. The pairings for today are:

Mascalzone Latino Audi Team vs. BMW ORACLE Racing
Mascalzone Latino Audi Team vs. Aleph
Luna Rossa vs. Aleph
Azzurra vs. BMW ORACLE Racing
Azzurra vs. TeamOrigin
Artemis vs. Emirates Team New Zealand

Some big races are on the schedule today. Azzurra, Luna Rossa and BMW ORACLE Racing are three teams fighting for two spots to make it into the top eight and they are all scheduled to race today. 

0750 - As forecast, the mistral has eased overnight and the winds are in a 'raceable' range this morning. However PRO Peter Reggio has warned that some models show the winds increasing throughout the day, getting up above 20 knots by afternoon.

The forecast for Tuesday offers a measure of relief, with the winds expected to ease later this afternoon and overnight. By Tuesday morning, the wind should be back in a 'sailable' range. But it may build too much later in the afternoon.

The pairings for Tuesday are:

Mascalzone Latino Audi Team vs. BMW ORACLE Racing

Mascalzone Latino Audi Team vs. Aleph

Luna Rossa vs. Aleph

Azzurra vs. BMW ORACLE Racing

Azzurra vs. TeamOrigin

Artemis vs. Emirates Team New Zealand

1130 - No issue with the red flag on BMW ORACLE Racing. The double penalty turn wasn't due to being assessed two penalties. Just the one red flag penalty. But the Umpires felt the first turn wasn't complete before they entered the two-length zone at the mark, so it didn't count. BOR had to get out of the zone before they could exonerate themselves, thus the second turn. No doubt the red flag was a way of telling the Umpires they were unhappy, but there's no been no follow through with a request for redress.

1020 - No more racing today. Wind is howling. Boats coming back in...

0950 - BMW Oracle were flying a red flag at the finish of their match v the Kiwis, so we may yet hear more of this in the protest room...

0947 - Next up: Kiwis again, this time versus Artemis...

0945 - The Kiwis win the grudge match re-race, BMW Oracle crossing 54 seconds back, but that delta disguises the excitement of the match...

0942 - Oracle threw all their chips on winning that battle near the top mark, but having lost that battle the Kiwis are well away down the track, now more than 300m ahead...

0939 - Boats end up luffing each other head to wind. "He's not keeping clear!!!" the hail from NZ. Red penalty against Oracle! Two penalties! One they have to take straight away. ETNZ have some breathing space around the top mark, 16 seconds ahead of USA. Spithill steers around the windward mark, but then takes the other penalty, letting Barker surf away to a 9 boatlength advantage...

0937 - Kiwis cross Oracle by a boatlength and a half and change sides, Barker claiming the right and then another cross, Kiwis tack ahead and to leeward of Oracle, very very tight match again...

0933 - "Big lefty" says Ray Davies on ETNZ, good news for Kiwi fans if that's the case, as the NZ team is already well to the left of Oracle. Massive separation between the boats across the course, so some gambling involved here...

0930 - Very tight rounding, both go round the left-hand gate, Kiwis clinging on to the slenderest of leads - 6 seconds 0 as America follows round and rolls into a tack, separation building with USA looking to get back at Kiwi....

0927 - Kiwis trying to roll Team America but Spithill holding on in the leeward position, but eventually Barker gains the upper hand and moves ahead, still bow to stern action though...

0924 - Tight rounding between the boats, both straight into a gybe set in a lot of breeze. Flags flying, but the umpires green flag everything...

0921 - A lot of separation here as BMW ORACLE Racing hooks into a left on the left side of the course and the boats converge with BOR bow forward. No cross for BMW ORACLE as they tack. The Kiwis tack on layline and BMW follows downspeed with two quick tacks.

0918 - The Kiwis stretching as BMW ORACLE tacks and Ray Davies on ETNZ says 'easy cross' and the Kiwis cross ahead and take the right hand side of the race track.

0916 - The Kiwis squeeze up and force the American team to tack. ETNZ take the line bias to stretch out to a 10 metre lead after both boats tack.

0915 - ETNZ on the left. BMW ORACLE Racing the right as the boats come off the starting line. The Kiwis are bow forward.

0913 - Into the prestart. A quick dial up and then into plenty of cirlciing.

0903 - Warning expected shortly. 16 to 20 knots on the race course.

0845 - The forecast mistral has arrived with winds in the 15 to 20+ range this morning and expectd to reach 25 and above by early afternoon and even higher on Monday. The forecast then calls for the winds to ease into Tuesday. If racing happens today, it will happen early.

0815 - All the talk was about the weather this morning at the skippers' briefing in La Maddalena. It's windy and expected to get windier. Realistically, PRO Peter Reggio is hoping to get two matches sailed today. The wind at dockout is near 20 knots.

Simmer commented: “I am delighted to join Team Origin and am looking forward to working with Sir Keith [Mills, team owner], Ben [Ainslie, skipper] and all the team to develop and execute a plan to overcome the other Challengers and lead us into the next America’s Cup Match.

“Fortunately Team Origin appears to have great strengths and leadership in each department. Mike Sanderson, who has now left the team, played a key role in managing the team through some difficult times and the team is in pretty good shape.”

Simmer’s new role as CEO sees him take responsibility for the sporting and technical activities of the team as well as overseeing the commercial operations.  He first competed in the America’s Cup in 1983 at the age of 27 as navigator on board Australia II. There he played a part in sporting history when Australia II won the first Louis Vuitton Cup challengers’ series and went on to win the America’s Cup - ending 132 years of US supremacy and the longest winning streak in sports history.

Since that momentous win, Simmer has had diverse roles and responsibilities in another seven America’s Cup campaigns, culminating with the Swiss Alinghi team, winning the Cup in 2003 and 2007 in the role of design co-ordinator and most recently as the team’s managing director.

Origin skipper Ben Ainslie commented: “Grant’s experience and talent will bring strong leadership and structure to the team at this critical time and his sailing and design skills will enhance our strengths as we move forward.”

1940 - Sorry folks. A bit of operator error here where we've overwritten the commentary on the All4One vs. Emirates Team New Zealand. Well do a short summary instead. All4One had a great start bow forward and to the left of ETNZ who shortly after the start saw the leech of their headsail tear. The Kiwis were able to nurse the sail up to the first mark, but trailed All4One. The French-German team did nice work extending their narrow lead with some slick crew work in winds approaching 20 knots and earned a very valuable point over the ETNZ squad.

1845 - Into the dial up, Emirates and All4One into a dial up.

1755 - Stand by for another match, All4One v Emirates Team New Zealand. May take some time to sort out any equipment issues after the previous match though...

1754 - Synergy cross the finish line and secure another point...

1750 - Artemis have retired, while Synergy hoist around the top mark and sail unchallenged to the finish...

1739 - A good run for Synergy, clean round the mark, and then a crew handling error from Artemis at the bottom mark, spinnaker under the boat, pole broken, carnage for Cayard's crew as they stop dead. Looks like their race is over, just for Synergy to complete the course and take the match point...

1733 - Synergy tacks on the right-hand layline, Artemis following, both boats tack-setting at the top mark, a 15 second gap. Breeze is up, around 18 knots putting a lot of strain on the gear...

1730 - Synergy in control, just ahead of Artemis, but not by more than a boatlength...

1725 - Tight start, both boats tacking at the pin end of the line, now parallel on port, not much to choose at this stage...

1723 - Artemis chasing Synergy into the start line, trying to get a hook...

1720 - Into the start box for Artemis and Synergy....

1715 - Warning signal for next race...

1644 - Artemis up again, this time against Synergy...

1643 - Artemis wins by 15 seconds and a penalty from Azzurra, a very solid race from Paul Cayard's crew in an interesting match with two lead changes...

1635 - Tommaso Chieffi opts to change sides with Artemis, dipping their rival's transom to claim the right, but an expensive decision with two extra tacks while Cayard opted to sail to the layline and tack once. Artemis has extended, now 20 seconds and four boatlengths ahead of Azzurra, big giveaway in the final part of the beat...

1633 - Tacking duel developing in the centre of the course, Artemis about a boatlength ahead, protecting the right, giving Azzurra much to think about...

1629 - Nothing in it at the first cross, Artemis taking a bit of a lead as Azzurra loses speed through one extra tack, the Swedish boat in a strong position...

1627 - Again, matching gybes, this time Artemis trying to pull back lost ground. Azzurra does a tight drop and turn around the left-hand mark, Artemis following round nose to tail, the Swedish 9 seconds back, immediately tacking to split away from the Italians.

1623 - Azzurra matches gybes with Artemis, accelerates slightly better and gradually rolls over the top of the lead boat, taking Swedish air from their sails...

1619 - Azzurra follows Artemis around the top mark, 7 seconds behind, standard hoists on both boats...

1616 - Artemis pushes Azzurra out to the left-hand layline with more than 5 minutes of sailing to the windward mark, the Swedish boat in a tactically strong position, especially bearing in mind Azzurra's penalty....

1611 - Despite Artemis's superior start, at the first cross it's very even between these two, now running side by side on port tack before Azzurra tacks away...

1610 - Hutchinson boxed Bruni into the left-hand corner, forcing the Italians to luff without speed while Artemis tacks away and does a nice speed-build to launch across the line faster and closer to the start....

1607 - Azzurra cops a penalty, not giving enough room to Artemis, after playing a risky 'above the line' tactic. Good work from Terry Hutchinson against Francesco Bruni...

1605 - Round 2 of the Azzurra/Artemis pre-start, again both boats sailing above the start line...

1600 - Warning Signal fires again..

1554 - It turns out that the postponement was not due to a wind shift, but a white flag beging flown by Azzurra, pointing out that Artemis were using the wrong jib. Need to wait for Paul Cayard's team to rectify this before the race can be run...

1550 - Race postponed just seconds before the start gun; a big wind shift has skewed the race course so a bit of a wait until race officer Luigi can square up the course...

1545 - Azzurra enters the box from the left, Artemis from the right, both boats sail to windward of the start line, Terry Hutchinson chasing Francesco Bruni over to the right of the start box and beyond...

1540 - Warning Signal fired...

1538 - Warning Signal for Azzurra v Artemis expected in a few minutes...

1507 - Coming up - Another Azzurra match, this time against Artemis from Sweden...

1506 - Azzurra crosses the finish line 15 seconds in front of Synergy, a good tight match, but the Italians taking a victory they badly needed if they're to secure a spot in the next phase of the Louis Vuitton Trophy...

1503 - Synergy close to Azzurra, but not close enough as they both emerge from simultaneous gybes with the Italians extending their lead. Russia gybes back again, but pass clear behind Azzurra, who look comfortable on the final run to the finish...

1500 - Synergy trails Azzurra by just 9 seconds at the final turning mark, both boats executing great tack-sets around the mark, Jablonski in a good position to attack Bruni before the finish...

1458 - The tacking duel went all the way out to the starboard layline, so Azzurra leads by a narrow margin as both boats approach the top mark...

1455 - Neverending tacking duel as the Russians try to grind down the Italians, and metre by metre, it seems to be working, reducing the deficit to just one boatlength...

1450 - Azzurra still ahead at the first cross on the second beat, but not much in it, less than two boatlengths, the Russians still in the fight...

1449 - Azzurra opted for the left-hand mark, Jablonski paying extra distance to break to the right, rounding 20 seconds back...

1447 - Azzurra survived an attack from Synergy in a simultaneous gybe, the Italians still leading towards the bottom mark...

1443 - Synergy attacking Azzurra from to windward, trying to roll over the top of the Italians and steal their wind, match is tightening up again....

1440 - Azzurra leads into the windward mark and rounds two boatlengths ahead of Synergy, both boats rolling into gybes immediately...

1436 - The Umpires judge Azzurra was clear ahead. No penalty.

1434 - Azzurra tack. They'll have trouble crossing on port tack as we come into the first cross. The Italians are bow farward and try to get across. Synergy immediately hail the Umpires. The Russians are looking for a RED flag penalty. But they don't get it! No penalty.

1432 - Synergy wanted the right, they have it and both boats are streaking out to the left side of the course now, with Synergy a little behind on the advantage line.

1430 - Extended dial up. Synergy breaks off first to dive below the line. Azzurra follows. Both start on port - a little odd - with Synergy heading right, Azzurra forced out to the left.

1426 - Into the dial up, Synergy on the right. Azzurra on the left.

1420 - Warning signal has been fired. Into the start sequence for Azzurra vs. Synergy.

1340 - It's over. A good 37-second win for Origin. Another tough loss for Luna Rossa.

1337 - Not a very exciting race to start the day unfortunately, but this looks like a sure bet now to be a good win and a valuable point for TeamOrigin.

1333 - On the final run to the finish now. Luna Rossa unable to find an opportunity to get back into the race.

1329 - Origin in control approaching the top mark.

1324 - Origin holding firm with a loose cover and a 125 metre lead up the second beat.

1321 - Origin maintains on the run, and will take the left hand pin (looking upwind) of the gate. Luna Rossa will split at the gate to get some leverage, but Origin rolls into a tack early to come across to the right with a 28second lead.

1316 - 150 metre lead for Origin who have gybed and are probably laying the gate early, due to the lefty on the course.

1315 - Ainslie leads Baird around the top mark... A very comfortable margin for the British boat of 35 seconds.

1311 - Origin protecting the right and holding about a 100+ metre lead.

1309 - A big, big left shift now, and Origin runs out to a 125 metre lead. Luna Rossa tacks and crosses well behind Origin.

1307 - Origin tacks as well. Both on port tack, dragging out to the right. The advantage lies with Ben Ainslie steering the British boat 60 metres ahead on the advantage line.

1305 - Luna Rossa drops the bow into a speed build. The Italians win the right, but Origin in bow forward off the start line. Luna Rossa forced to tack away, with Origin 45 metres ahead on the advantage line.

1303 - Wind is puffy. ANywhere from 11 to 15 knots.

1300 - Into the prestart. Origin in from the left, Luna Rossa from the right, and into the dial-up.

1250 - Warning signal scheduled for 1255. The wind is in the 12 to 14 knot range.

1140 - The Race Committee is planning to dock out shortly. If conditions permit, we should be ready for a start shortly after 1300.

1040 - There will be no warning signal before 1300. Wind conditions not promising at this point.

0940 - There will be no warning signal before 12 noon now. Still too light and unstable.

In the meantime, there's a video interview with PRO Peter Reggio and Chief Umpire Bill Edgerton explaining the decision to abandon the ETNZ v. BOR race here.

0820 - If and when racing starts today, the pairings are:

TeamOrigin v Luna Rossa

Azzurra v. Synergy

Azzurra v. Artemis

Synergy v. Artemis

Emirates Team NZ v. All4One

Mascalzone Latino Audi v. BMW ORACLE Racing

0810 - The Race Committee has told the competitors there will be no warning signal before 1100. The wind is very light.

0800 - At the skippers' briefing this morning, the regatta organisers elected to rescind the controversial amendment that led to a penalty to Emirates Team New Zealand yesterday, after deciding the motivation for the amendment - the security of the rigs downwind - could be achieved by a strongly worded recommendation in the boat handling instructions document. This was the way it was done at the regatta in Nice.

That will come as small to comfort to Emirates Team New Zealand who remain more than a little upset at the ruling, which they consider to have cost them the race against BMW ORACLE Racing.

The Umpire penalty to ETNZ cancelled out a previous penalty that the BMW ORACLE team had been carrying since the pre-start allowing the American team to win the race on the water by 6 seconds.

The Jury concluded that while there was confusion in the wording and lack of written guidance in the application of the amendment, the Umpires did not act improperly in awarding the on water penalty. Redress is denied.

We would expect to see some sort of appeal by Emirates Team New Zealand to the penalty they were assessed. Look for more details in a separate story as the evening progresses.

1740 - Race start delayed...

1738 - Warning Signal expected at 1740, Artemis against Emirates Team New Zealand...

1647 - BMW ORACLE Racing take the win by 8 seconds.

1646 - ETNZ unroll a red protest flag. They won't be happy with this call. But it was a 'special mention' in the skippers' meeting this morning.

1644 - Umpire initiated penalty on yellow. No outstanding penalties. ETNZ didn't have enough forestay tension on the mast.

1640 - Emirates Team New Zealand trailing by 19 seconds at the top mark, but BOR owes a penalty. Do they have enough to do the turn? It's unlikely. Spithill will need to extend here.

1638 - Fantastic conditions out here on the waters off La Maddalena with BMW ORACLE Racing leading ETNZ up towards the top mark for the second time.

1636 -As the boats converge, it's a nice gain for BOR, out to 100 metres clear ahead.

1634 - A big split now, with ETNZ on the right. Spithill and Kostecki on BOR maybe rolling the dice hoping to extend enough to make their penalty turn.

1631 - Just a nine second lead for BOR through the gate with ETNZ following close behind.

1628 - BOR gybes now, now quite laying the leeward gate and the Kiwis look to follow suit, but just 35 metres back. The wind has eased a little bit, now in the 13-15 knot range.

1625 - BMW ORACLE Racing lead around the top mark by 15 seconds, but ETNZ is faster and has a cleaner set.

1621 - Spithill controlling the right, protecting as they approach the top mark.

1619 - Kiwis tack and go with Team America, and Spithill tacks back again to re-engage, then tack again on the face of New Zealand, forced to tack away. At least the penalty-stricken Americans are ahead, but a lot to do to get clear of ETNZ...

1617 - A long drag out to the left side with BMW ORACLE Racing tryiing to live on the hip of ETNZ, but they can't do it, they're forced to tack away to the right.

1615 - Kiwis are bow forward off the line, just half a boatlength up on USA, but more importantly with that penalty Barker managed to stick on Spithill...

1614 - Oracle trailing Kiwis back to the line, Dean Barker looking to get the better start ahead and to leeward of James Spithill..

1610 - Not really a dial-up with BMW ORACLE Racing taking a penalty at the initial confrontation. Not what Spithill needed here.

1605 - There's the warning signal. We're into the start sequence. Wind up in the 16-18 knots range. Code 4 headsails. Big breeze for a big match.

1556 - Postponement again. A 'significant' windshift at the start line area.

1555 - This should be a great match - the boats are registering 20 knots at the top of the mast.

1545 - Warning signal - finally - at 1555.

1500 - They're working on one of the boats. No warning signal likely before 1530.

1439 - Critical race - a must win - coming up for BMW ORACLE against ETNZ next. They really need a win.

1438 - Synergy gybe for the finishing line. They're going to win this match! A great race and a great win for Jablonski and crew.

1435 - Synergy is extending now. BOR trying to drag Synergy into sailing a higher and longer course, to extend the race. But Jablonski isn't biting.

1434 - BOR now trying to sail a little bit hot, attempting to get up on the breeze of Synergy.

1433 - As both boats gybe, a small broach on Synergy. But they've recovered. They're still in the lead. Synergy in a strong position.

1432 - Finally they put the bows down and head onto the run. Nice work by Jablonski.

1431 - A big luff by Jablonski, holding BMW out from the mark.

1430 - This is a big one. BOR sail low to gather speed. Synergy roll into a tack, trying to bounce them off, but BOR are going to live there to windward approaching the mark. It's very, very close, with Synergy holding the inside advantage coming up to the mark.

1429 - And one more time. Synergy will bounce BOR left and if possible, over the layline.

1428 - As the boats tack and converge, Synergy protect the right with a covering a tack. BOR bounced out to the left.

1427 - A bit of separation here with BOR on the left, Synergy on the right and the Russians holding a length and half lead.

1424 - Spithill tacks around the mark. Synergy follows. Simultaneous tacks again. BMW ORACLE in bad air have to tack downspeed to clear their air and Synergy are across and clear ahead now.

1423 - BMW ORACLE can't gybe. A problem on board. They'll have to follow Syndergy in to the left hand mark (looking upwind) at the gate. Just a six second lead for Synergy.

1422 - Synergy make the pass and break the overlap. BMW ORACLE has to sail proper course to the gate. Great work on the Russian boat.

1421 - It looks like Synergy have done it and made the pass!!

1420 - Jablonski looking to roll over Spithill who is coming up to luff the Russian boat. Advantage line jumping back to Synergy now.

1419 - Both boats gybe, Synergy inside now and looking to roll over BOR.

1417 - Advantage to Spithill now on the inside of Synergy. The Americans will round ahead by just 9 seconds.

1416 - It's a pinch up to the layline for both boats now. If they both lay, BMW ORACLE may have the inside track at the mark. But it's very, very close. Oracle really need to lay this mark.

1415 - Nice job by Synergy here, squeezing up and forcing a tack by BMW ORACLE Racing. Synergy tack immediately into a controlling position to windward. Advantage line is 15 metres to Synergy.

1414 - Spithill on a big push to the layline. Synergy would struggle to cross, but it's very close.

1413 - The advantage line is coming down now. 20 metres to Synergy.

1411 - Synergy over 30 metres ahead on the advantage line, but not quite enough to tack and cross. Jablonski will be trying to squeeze up and close gauge to force BOR to tack.

1410 - BMW ORACLE Racing take the right hand side on the start, near the Race Committee boat, with Synergy down at the pin. Synergy looking strong off the starting line, maybe some bias favouring the pin end.

1406 - With the wind up near 15 knots, they come into a dial-up.

1405 - Into the start box now, Synergy with Karol Jablonski coming in from the right with James Spithill steering BMW ORACLE Racing in from the left.

1402 - The course axis is 320. The wind is up in the 12-14 knot range.

1400 - Into the warning signal - finally. We'll get a race in.

1354 - But the good news is the windspeed is up above 12 knots in the start area now.

1350 - Still in postponement. One of the boats indicating an equipment problem. No word on how long.

1340 - Up around 7 to 9 knots of wind on the race course area, from the northwest.

1330 - The wind is back!!! Warning signal at 1345!

1200 - There are signs of wind on the race course so Peter Reggio has called for the teams to leave the dock again, and return to the race area.

1120 - Completely glassy conditions on the waters off La Maddalena at the moment.

1100 - Forecast was for better wind than we have at the moment. Today should be bringing moderate winds from the north-west, in the 10 to 15 knot range. Fingers crossed the met people are right!

1059 - Race boats coming back in due to lack of wind. Postponed until we're not sure when...

1030 - Still very little wind on the race course area.

0950 - Still postponed. Wind light and variable.

0900 - No start expected before 0930 now.

0800 - A full day of racing with six matches on the schedule as below:

Flight 21, Match 2 - BMW ORACLE Racing v. Synergy
Flight 2, Match 1 - BMW ORACLE Racing v. Emirates Team New Zealand
Flight 3, Match 2 - Artemis v. Emirates Team New Zealand
Flight 15, Match 1 - Artemis v. All4One
Flight 19, Match 1 - Azzurra v. TeamOrigin
Flight 20, Match 1 - Mascalzone Latino Audi Team v. Aleph

1745 - Here is the scoreboard at the conclusion of today's competition.

Provisional win-loss leaderboard after Thursday racing

  =1.  Artemis, 4-1, 4 points
  =1.  Emirates Team New Zealand, 4-1, 4 points

  =3.  Mascalzone Latino Audi Team, 4-1, 3 points *

  =3.  All4One, 3-3, 3 points

  =3.  Synergy Russian Sailing Team, 3-3, 3 points
  =3.  TEAMORIGIN, 3-3, 3 points
  =7.  Azzurra, 2-3, 2 points

  =7.  Luna Rossa, 2-5, 2 points
  =9.  BMW Oracle Racing Team, 1-4, 1 point
=10.  ALEPH Sailing Team, 2-4, -2 points *

  *  Penalties deducted by Jury/Umpires

1738 - That concludes racing for the day. A strange one, with some very tight matches and others that were processional. Artemis dropped their first point today, but still share the top of the leaderboard with Emirates Team New Zealand...

1736 - BMW Oracle have closed some of the chasm between them and Luna Rossa, but nowhere near enough, Ed Baird steering the Italian boat across the finish 22 seconds in front. The America's Cup holders really needed that win, but so did Luna Rossa, and better breeze on the right lifted the Italians clear...

1729 - Luna Rossa still in a commanding lead, 9 boatlengths ahead at the final mark, Italians gybe off allowing BMW Oracle to separate, tactician Torben Grael clearly confident of protecting the lead and giving his rival John Kostecki not much to work with...

1721 - Spithill follows Baird around the right-hand gate, but 34 seconds back, so the Americans tack to avoid cover, the Italians tacking to loose cover, and still six boatlengths back...

1719 - Luna Rossa approaching the leeward gate still well ahead, six boatlengths on BMW Oracle...

1717 - Still plenty of wind on the race track. There doesn't seem to be much opportunity for JK and Spithill to get back into this.

1715 - BMW ORACLE is around, but fully 40+ seconds behind. This isn't good for the American team.

1714 - Luna Rossa around the mark now with a towering lead.

1713 - Peter Lester, the commentator, is on board BMW ORACLE Racing as 18th man. He's reporting that BOR were on the wrong side of a 20-degree shift.

1711 - Luna Rossa has tacked well upwind and inside of BMW ORACLE. They have a 200-metre margin now closing up towards the top mark.

1710 - BMW ORACLE tacks, but it's been a painful couple of minutes as Luna Rossa finds the breeze and marches away from Luna Rossa.

1709 - Luna Rossa looking good on the right side of the course, extending away in better pressure now.

1708 - Luna Rossa tack clear ahead on the line of BMW ORACLE. Early lead to the Italians here.

1706 - The early advantage off the starting line was to BOR, but Luna Rossa is pushing bow forward. BMW tacks and the first cross is coming up.

1705 - Final approach to the starting line. BMW ORACLE Racing had the right, but switches sides now. The Americans want the left and go in to an extended speed build.

Luna Rossa tacks under the committee boat.

1703 - BMW ORACLE Racing on the chase, as Luna Rossa leads out behind the Race Committee boat.

1702 - A long dial-up here.

1700 - Into the prestart now, with BOR coming in from the left and Luna Rossa from the right.

1657 - Into the start sequence for BMW ORACLE and Luna Rossa. A big match for both teams, who need to get wins - and points - on the board.

1651 - Things are moving faster than anticipated. Warning signal at 1655, race start at 1705.

1645 - Looking for a warning signal at 1705...

1622 - Next up is BMW ORACLE Racing versus Luna Rossa. Look for a warning signal near the top of the hour.

1620 - Approaching the finishing line now...It's all Synergy. This will lift them to a 3-3 record, while Aleph falls to 2-4.

1615 - It's a big 27 second lead at the top mark for Jablonski and the Russian crew.

1614 - Synergy tacks on the layline, lead secure, heading into the final run to the finish.

1612 - Approaching the top mark now, with Synergy staying between Aleph and the top mark.

1610 - Aleph holding steady to Syndergy, about 100 metres back as both boats tack up the middle of the race course.

1608 - Some tacking now by Aleph with Synergy holding a loose cover up the second beat.

1606 - Aleph trail Synergy through the gate by 21 seconds.

1605 - There will be a course change for the next leg, reflecting a 10-degree left shift.

1603 - Clean gybes by both boats as Synergy holds its 100 metre lead.

1600 - Just a 9 second margin for Synergy at the top with both boats setting up on gybe sets at the top mark with the left hand shift. A much better set by Synergy who are going to advance here.

1558 - No cross, Aleph throws in a nice leebow tack, but Synergy is inside for the mark rounding.

1557 - Not much in it here as Synergy tack near the starboard tack layline. A big cross coming.

1555 - A nice little band of pressure for Aleph here on the left side of Synergy. The advantage line is coming down quickly, getting down nearly bow to bow before stabilsing near 10 metres for the Russian boat.

1553 - Synergy tack and cross ahead. They're holding all the cards now, a couple of lengths ahead and holding the right-hand side of the race course.

1551 - All Synergy off the starting line, 45 metres advantaged, although Aleph has the right hand side of the course.

1550 - Synergy winds up to speed off the left-hand end of the line, Aleph sailing towards the committee boat and tacking at the gun, so the French are slower to get going, yielding almost two boatlengths straight off the line...

1549 - 10 to 12 knots of breeze, Synergy chasing Aleph around the start area...

1547 - A long dial-up, Synergy to the right of Aleph...

1545 - into the start box for Aleph and Synergy...

1530 - Warning Signal for Aleph v Synergy at 1540...

1452 - Mainsail being changed on one of the boats, so no warning signal before 1530...

1449 - Next up: Aleph v Synergy...

1448 - Mascalzone crosses the finish line well ahead of Artemis, Gavin Brady's winning delta was 46 seconds...

1444 - Artemis trailing Mascalzone by more than 300 metres on the run to the finish, surely in the bag now for Gavin Brady's team...

1439 - Artemis tacks to starboard, Mascalzone puts a loose cover on their rivals as the breeze picks up at the top end of the race track...

1436 - Artemis now 44 seconds behind at the leeward gate, Cayard opting for the same left-hand mark as Mascalzone...

1435 - Mascalzone makes a conservative spinnaker drop, rounding the left-hand gate mark in only 10 knots of breeze, much quieter at the bottom of the course compared with the windy top...

1431 - A change of course by the race committee, but doesn't change the fact that Mascalzone dominates this match, now up to a lead of 250 metres as the Artemis crew scurry to get a replacement chute in place of the exploded one...

1428 - 20 knots of breeze as Mascalzone rounds the top mark, big manoeuvre in big breeze, Italian boats straight into a gybe, Artemis following round 22 secs behind, but a tear in the gennaker quickly turns into an explosion! Artemis's predicament turns from bad to worse...

1423 - Bullets of wind coming down the course, breeze jumping from 7 to 17 knots in a matter of seconds, Mascalzone making the most of it and moving ahead to a three-boatlength advantage on Artemis...

1420 - Both boats locked together near the committee boat, absolutely stopped at start time, Gavin Brady tying Terry Hutchinson up and leaving the Swedish boat stranded on the line as the Italian boat accelerates away...

1416 - Mascalzone chasing Artemis deep into the box, right-hand side, burning off time...

1415 - Pre-start begins between Artemis and Mascalzone...

1413 - Into a start sequence now for Mascalzone Latino - Artemis.

1338 - Origin are going to take this, but by only a few seconds. Origin by 6 seconds.

1337 - A final drag race out to the finishing line now... This is going to be close.

1335 - A dummy gybe by Origin and Synergy gybe. Origin make a gybe now and struggle to fill their gennaker.

1333 - Synergy making a little gain here, and set up well for when they gybe.

1332 - It's closed right up. A six second lead for Origin around the mark.

1330 - Both boats slow with Origin on a long, slow luff up to the mark. Synergy required to keep clear as windward boat.

1328 - Origin trying to squeeze up from leeward to lay the top mark. They should make it safely, but Synergy is overlapped.

1327 - A dial down now with Origin finally tacking just to leeward and ahead of Origin.

1326 - Synergy tacking now. We hear them talking about a lane of pressure to tack on. Cross coming up now with Origin holding a bow forward position.

1325 - Origin tacks and the advantage is down to just 10 metres now.

1323 - Origin took the correct side at the gate however, about 40 metres further upwind on the right hand mark.

1322 - Will Synergy capitalise. Origin has taken the right side, protecting the starboard tack advantage. The spinnaker is slowly coming on board, but a chaotic drop.

1321 - A bad drop by Origin, their spinnaker is under the water.

1320 - Synergy closing in a little bit on the latter stages of the run. But Origin will lead through the gate.

1317 - Stable conditions on this run, with the wind even across the course. A dummy gybe by Origin. But Synergy doesn't fall for the fake. Now both boats roll into gybes, with Synergy trailing by 80 metres.

1315 - Origin lead around, nearly 100 metres to the good as both boats have clean hoists.

1312 - Origin win the cross. They're 50-metres ahead and set up nicely to windward now approaching the top mark.

1311 - As Synergy tack in from the right, Origin hooks into a nice ribbon of breeze. The advantage line is with Origin, but Synergy is coming in on starboard.

1309 - A nice shift for Synergy now. The advantage line extending for the Russians, but Iain Percy is saying there's a lot of left hand breeze coming, which would favour the Brits.

1307 - Synergy the first to tack, heading out to the right. The advantage line sitting every so slightly with the Russian boat.

1305 - Final approach to the line with Synergy set up on the right, Origin with good pace on the left to leeward.

1303 - But the Brits escape, gybing around the pin and diving back towards the Committee Boat end of the starting line.

1302 - Origin left, Synergy right with Jablonski looking to push Ainslie on the British boat outside of the pin.

1300 - TeamOrigin in on port tack, Synergy on starboard, and into a dial-up.

1255 - Warning signal imminent...

1223 - Next up is Synergy versus TeamOrigin, both teams on two wins. No time for the warning signal yet.

1221 - Dean Barker steers the ETNZ boat across the line for the win. Aleph drops to 2 and 3, while the Kiwis continue their climb up the leaderboard with a 4-1 record.

1217 - Emirates leading down towards the finishing line now. A win will bring them up to four points, equal with Artemis, who has yet to lose a race.

1214 - Bear away set on ETNZ, gybe set on Aleph and the Kiwis roll into a gybe to close down the separation.

1213 - ETNZ have a extended a bit here, leading around the mark by26 seconds.

1211 - Adam Beashel being winched up the mast now as the wind eases into the 7-9 knot range.

1210- Both boats approaching the port tack layline early, Emirates holding a 65 metre lead.

1208 - The Kiwis just holding a loose cover on Aleph on the second beat, now up to a 100 metre lead.

1205 - The Kiwis lead through the gate, protecting the right side of the course upwind.

1200 - A couple of gybes here, but Aleph hasn't been able to make a significant gain yet.

1155 - Close at the top mark, with ETNZ leading around. Aleph struggles a little on the hoist and settles in 50 metres behind the Kiwis.

1152 - Close quarters action now with Emirates Team New Zealand holding tight to Aleph, holding on to the right hand side with the boats bow to bow.

1150 - Aleph is able to squeeze up to the Kiwi boat, forcing a tack. Aleph follow suit andboth boats head back towards the middle of the race track.

1147 - Both boats still heading out to the left side of the race track, the Kiwis closing gauge from windward.

1146 - Aleph is bow forward off the starting line, with both boats on starboard tack.

1141 - A few flags in this prestart, but all incidents green flagged.

1140 - Back into restart mode, and into a dialup, Aleph and ETNZ. The problem was an error in setting the course which is nearly half a mile too long.

1116 - Race abandoned. Aleph fly a red flag, protesting against the length of the race course, claiming it was too long. The French team brings the race to a halt, and so we wait for the course to be reconfigured more to their liking....

1109 - Still matching each other for speed, but Aleph still half a boatlength behind and to leeward, Bertrand Pacé unable to put any bad air on to the back of New Zealand's sails...

1105 - Kiwis start to windward and half a boatlength ahead of the French, two teams parallel out to the left hand side...

1100 - Pre-start begins between NZ and Aleph...

1055 - Warning signal for next match between New Zealand and Aleph. Breeze has shifted. Course angle now 305 degrees, 10-12 knts breeze...

1023 - A short wait for the next match, the Kiwis up again, this time against Aleph...

1019 - A 13-second victory for the Kiwis, but it wasn't luck that did it for them. Azzurra will be kicking themselves for that double tack at the top of the first leg, taking the safety lock off the door and the Kiwis kicking it wide open, doing a smash and grab on the Italians...

1016 - Final gybe to the finish, Azzurra shadowing ETNZ and looking to get on their breeze, but it won't be enough. Barker looking secure for the win...

1013 - Azzurra seems to have closed the gap to New Zealand, just two boatlengths behind but the Kiwis still well positioned between the opponent and the destination...

1010 - New Zealand rounds 23 seconds ahead of Azzurra at the final mark, the Kiwis rolling into an early gybe but Italy doing a straight set, trying to create some separation and find some different breeze. Three boatlengths is the deficit...

1005 - New Zealand extends to 27 seconds by the leeward gate, Barker choosing the left, Azzurra diving to the right...

1000 - Kiwis lead by 14 seconds at the first mark, a big turnover after trailing badly at the start...

0955 - A good lead for the Italians still, but two extra tacks at the top of the course sees New Zealand close the gap. The Italians allow the Kiwis to break away to the right, and when they come back together the Azzurri are caught short, Barker capitalising on the power of the right to shut the Italians out and force them to follow round at the windward mark...

0950 - Azzurra tacks across and at the first cross easily passes ahead of New Zealand, a two-boatlength advantage as they change sides, Italy now holding the right but the Kiwis tacking on their hip..

0945 - Barker tries to squeeze Bruni at the pin end, but Azzurra has enough space to launch off the left-hand extremity of the start while Kiwis have to tack away, and then tack back, two expensive manoeuvres leaving them trailing Italy by three boatlengths. A strong start for Azzurra...

0942 - Bruni and Barker circling each other in the box, Azzurra trying to get some Kiwi tail...

0940 - Azzurra enters from the right, New Zealand from the left, into the start box...

0935 - Warning Signal for match between Azzurra and Emirates Team New Zealand...

0930 - Racing about to get under way, 12-14 knots from the west, course axis 270 degrees, 1.5 nautical mile course

0905 - We're in a postponement with the maintenance crew at work on one of the boats.

0800 - The forecast today is for good racing breezes, with a westerly flow. Most models are predicting 12 to 18 knot westerlies over the course of the day, with a slight shift to the right possible later in the afternoon.

That means no postponement is expected this morning, with the first warning signal due at 0900.

0740 - Racing is scheduled to start with a warning signal at 0900 this morning. We'll let you know if there are any updates from the skippers' briefing.

The pairings today are:

Flight 1, Match 2 - Emirates Team New Zealand v. Azzurra

Flight 6, Match 1 - Emirates Team New Zealand v. Aleph

Flight 15, Match 2 - TeamOrigin v. Synergy

Flight 14, Match 1 - Artemis v. Mascalzone

Flight 16, Match 1 - Aleph v. Synergy

Flight 22, Match 1 - BMW ORACLE v. Luna Rossa

While ALEPH acknowledged responsibility for the collision, the team maintained Azzurra contributed to the impact by altering course in a way that swung their transom towards the French bow.

But the Jury disagreed and absolved Azzurra fully, leaving the French team to shoulder the blame.

The collision occurred on the approach to the top mark for the first time, when Mascalzone Latino was penalised for tacking too close to All4One. Following the completion of their tack, All4One was forced to take evasive action, and their spinnaker pole swept across the transom of the Italian boat.

At the time, the on the water Umpires assessed a red flag penalty, forcing Mascalzone Latino into an immediate penalty turn that handed the lead to All4One. Following the race, a one point penalty for 'hard contact' was added, as per the regatta rules.

But Mascalzone Latino requested redress from the additional one point penalty. Skipper Gavin Brady acknowledged his team had tacked too close, but said All4One could have avoided the collision. The contact, he maintained, was the result of a luff from All4One, in an effort to gain an inside overlap at the mark.

But the Jury disagreed and uphelp the one point penalty. No redress was given.

In an earlier hearing, All4One's request for redress in their race against the Russian Synergy teams was also turned down. The French-German team had claimed the organisers didn't provide equal head sails to both boats, but the Jury denied the request.

The updated provisional leaderboard:

=1.  Artemis, 2-0, 2 point
=1.  ALEPH Sailing Team, 2-1, 2  points
=1.  All4One, 2-1, 2 points
=4.  Mascalzone Latino Audi Team, 2-1, 1 point *
=4.  Emirates Team New Zealand, 1-0, 1 point
=4.  Synergy Russian Sailing Team, 1-0, 1 point
=4.  Azzurra, 1-2, 1 point
=4.  TEAMORIGIN, 1-3, 1 point
=9.  BMW Oracle Racing Team, 0-2, 0 points
=9.  Luna Rossa, 0-2, 0 points

* Penalty deducted by Jury/Umpires

1606 - Flights not raced today will be pushed to back of the queue, so tomorrow's matches are the same as on the original schedule. Flights 4,5 & 6.

Flight 4

All4One v Azzurra, Aleph v BMW Oracle Racing

Flight 5

Luna Rossa v Mascalzone Latino Audi Team, Team Origin v Artemis

Flight 6

Emirates Team New Zealand v Aleph, Azzurra v Synergy

1604 - Further racing has been cancelled for the day. The wind refused to come out and play again. Race committee heading back to shore...

1557 - Wind even lighter, barely blowing 2 knots. Fading hopes of further racing today...

1456 - Flags AP over H flying on race committee boat. "Races not started are postponed. Further signals ashore." Race officer Luigi has sent the race teams back to shore to await further instruction, while the race committee remains out on the water in the glimmering hope of still being able to start Flight 2....

1400 - Still waiting for breeze, hopefully the sea breeze. Postponement continues. Next update is slated for 1420 hours.

1330 -Principal Race Officer Peter 'Luigi' Reggio isn't optimistic in the short term. Currently very light conditions in the race area. But he has time to wait it out this afternoon. We'll keep you updated.

1223 - Flight 1 completed, but postponement flag flying so we'll be back with updates when we know more of what race officer Luigi has in mind...

1220 - Mascalzone's winning delta was 2:27, with Azzurra not taking the penalty turn as is usually taken in match racing...

1219 - Mascalzone crosses the line well ahead, gennaker going up on Azzurra looking like they're ready to unwind that penalty, the unforced error of entering the start box too early just over an hour ago...

1215 - Big separation again between the Italians, this time downwind with gennakers, with Azzurra closing the gap in slightly better breeze on the right, but probably not enough with the short distance remaining to the finish line...

1210 - Aleph crosses the line safely ahead of Team Origin, the dejected Brits losing by 1:08. Shocking start for the British, looking to show what they can do after the recent shock departure of Mike Sanderson...

1207 - Team Origin closing rapidly on Aleph with just boat lengths to the finish, Ainslie trying to capitalise on a zephyr of breeze, but would still take a small miracle for the Brits to overturn the French at this late stage...

1202 - The Italian boats coming back together again now, reducing the 1500 metre separation rapidly as they converge and.... Mascalzone can breathe a sigh of relief as the discover that they're six boat lengths ahead of Azzurra now. The gamble to separate from Azzurra has extended Gavin Brady's lead...

1159 - "Getting lighter and a real scary hole developing" is Principal Race Officer Peter Reggio's analysis of the fickle breeze, getting fickler and fickler...

1157 - Team Origin trail the French by almost 250 metres around the final turning mark. Hard to imagine the British making amends for their sail-handling error earlier...

1154 - Massive separation between the Italian boats, up to more than 1000 metres, while on the wind ladder there is nothing to choose between them. A big gamble by Mascalzone letting Azzurra get so far out to the left, but the wind is light so tacking and protecting would be expensive...

1151 - Breeze at 5 to 6 knots, Mascalzone opts for the right-hand buoy, and Azzurra breaks to the left, looking to split from the leaders and looking good for doing so. The gauge between the boats down to a matter of a few metres...

1148 - Mascalzone leads Azzurra by three boatlengths towards the bottom gate of the course, no threat to Gavin Brady's lead quite yet...

1142 - Origin follows Aleph around the left-hand leeward gate mark, trailing the French by 35 seconds. Ben Ainslie was seen stamping his feet in frustration earlier, and no wonder...

1140 - Gavin Brady steers Mascalzone Latino comfortably around the first mark, 26 seconds ahead of Azzurra, and the Rascals a penalty up on their Italian rivals...

1136 - Origin up to speed again, but now two boatlengths behind Aleph. Big questions to be asked in the British de-brief later this afternoon...

1134 - Big wineglass wrap on the spinnaker on board Team Origin - Aleph sails right over the top of the British and surge into the lead. Calamitous boat handling from the British boat...

1129 - Team Origin leads Aleph around the first mark, holding a 14-second advantage, about two and a half boatlengths to the good...

1125 - Mascalzone leads off the line by two boat lengths and tacks to consolidate its early lead on the wounded but dangerous Azzurra...

1123 - Meanwhile the Italian derby match between the two 'local' teams, Azzurra and Mascalzone Latino, and a penalty already against Azzurra for early entry into the start box! Disastrous start for Francesco Bruni's campaign...

1121 - Brits and French testing each other with a series of crosses in the centre of the race course, a small gain to Team Origin as they meet Aleph for the third time...

1119 - First cross, and Aleph hold a narrow lead, tacking just ahead of Origin, forcing Ben Ainslie to tack away to the right again, boats diverging once more in the light airs...

1115 - Split tack start with Origin tacking away on to port with 20 seconds before the gun, Aleph a slightly better start as the French sail away to the left-hand side. But not much to choose at this stage. Which side will pay and yield the first-cross advantage?

1114 - Both boats running deep towards spectataor fleet, wind very light, then both gybe on to starboard and round up on to a reach...

1111 - Early dial-up between the Brits and French, Ben Ainslie protecting the right from Bertrand Pacé....

1109 - Aleph and Team Origin circling outside of the start box, just a minute or so from the pre-start. GBR to enter from the right, FRA from the left...

1104 - Course axis 295, 1.3 mile legs

1056 - Race committee have just indicated a possible warning signal at 1105. Fingers crossed....

1001 - Postponement! Just five knots of wind in the race course area, but expectations are for it to build. We shouldn't have a long wait

0936 - Dockside quotes from Morgan Larson, tactician, Mascalzone Latino Audi Team

The plan for day one of competition?

We don’t really have a plan, just chipping away at all the things we’ve been working on in Auckland. We’ve had a few crew changes, the afterguard’s a little different. Mark Mendelblatt is not with us. He’s over at BMW Oracle. The afterguard is a bit smaller now, so the communication lines will be simpler, less confused, although obviously we’ll be missing Mark [as windspotter] because he’s got a great eye. Cameron Dunn’s going up the rig instead, and we’re still working how our communication between each other, but so far so good.

On racing at La Maddalena...

Many of us have raced through this area but not on this course, but luckily we have Flavio Favini who’s done a lot of racing and had a lot of success here. Hopefully he’ll keep us out of trouble.


0933 - Dockside Quotes from Francesco Bruni, skipper, Azzurra

High expectations sailing on home waters?

Yes, but Mascalzone Latino is a home team as well so we are sharing that responsibility. We have been working and waiting for this moment a long time now. We’ve been doing our home work nicely and feel confident. We did good training in Valencia against Luna Rossa, a lot of match race training within the team, I’ve done a lot of racing, so we feel in good shape. Which doesn’t mean you’re going to win for sure, but at least it makes you feel more relaxed.

More pressure on Azzurra than before?

A little bit, people have high expectations after our previous results in Nice and Auckland. 1st and 3rd places, that’s a high average, and the fleet is getting stronger, so it’s not going to be easy. We’ll do our best and for sure we’ll have fun here.

Expectations for today’s match against their Italian rivals....

We lost our only match in Auckland against Mascalzone Latino, so today we are looking for a different result.

0930 - Not a cloud in the sky and a soft, still morning as the hustle and bustle inside the admin buildings moves out to the docks.  The support boat fleet left on time, steaming in line ahead behind the Race Committee boat.  The yacht basin which was empty two days ago now features a gaggle of superyachts, with more expected.  Suddenly the helipad adjacent to the marina is seeing activity.

0900 - The forecast is for light to moderate Northerlies, seven to 13 knots.

0750 - Bright sunshine this morning and already fairly warm as the teams make their way down to the Port Arsenale. The skippers' briefing is scheduled in a few minutes and we'll bring you a weather forecast after that...

Skippers of the ten international teams drew for race pairings during a press conference that followed the official opening ceremony.

A match between the Italian teams Mascalzone Latino Audi and Azzurra will be the second start of the day and is expected to attract close attention because Mascalzone is the Challenger of Record for the next America’s Cup.  The third race will see BMW Oracle Racing, the current holder of the America’s Cup, competing against Emirates Team New Zealand. Later in the day the Swedish team Artemis will race Emirates Team New Zealand.

Yves Carcelle, Chairman and CEO of Louis Vuitton welcomed everyone to the event and forecast that it would be great for the sailors and great for the public alike. He offered his thanks to officials of the region for making the regatta possible.

Vincenzo Onorato, Chairman of Mascalzone Latino offered his own welcome to all of the competing teams and added: “A special welcome is for Oracle which just won the America’s Cup.  This is very important because this is the first time that we all have a chance to challenge James (Spithill) and his wonderful team.”

The pairings are:

Flight One, Match One:  Aleph vs TEAMORIGIN
Flight One, Match Two: Mascalzone Latino vs Azzurra.
Flight Two, Match One:  BMW Oracle Racing vs Emirates Team New Zealand
Flight Two, Match Two: Luna Rossa vs All4One
Flight Three, Match One: Synergy Russian Sailing Team vs Mascalzone Latino
Flight Three, Match Two: Artemis vs Emirates Team New Zealand

Racing is scheduled to start with a warning signal at 10:00 local time (GMT+2).

Jochen Schuemann, skipper, All4One, on translating success from the MedCup to the Louis Vuitton Trophy: "Unfortunately in sport, the success of yesterday doesn't mean much today. But I think it proves we are improving and we're looking forward to meeting strong potential cup teams here and doing it in the fantastic environment of Sardinia.”

Paul Cayard, skipper, Artemis, on the level of competition: "For sure the competition is getting better at each of these events. We have 10 outstanding teams here and every race will be tough. La Maddalena is proving to be a fantastic host. Everybody is very, very friendly. It's beautiful and we're really looking forward to the next two weeks.”

Bertrand Pace, skipper Aleph, on what his team needs to do to improve: "We need to have more practice together but for this regatta we have a good team and I think we have improved a lot in the three days of practice and we are happy to get racing again.”

James Spithill, skipper BMW ORACLE Racing, on coming back into the Louis Vuitton Trophy after an extended absence: "I was down in Auckland to watch the racing and was very, very impressed with the level of the racing. Any team can win the regatta so we have our work cut out for us. We've been sailing a trimaran for the last few years, but we're excited. We have a fantastic team here and we're looking forward to it.”

Gavin Brady, skipper, Mascalzone Latino Audi Team, looking forward to racing on the Costa Smeralda: “We always enjoy this venue - a lot of wind shifts, a bit of current. I think it will prove to be a very challenging race course which will be good for everybody.”

Dean Barker, skipper, Emirates Team New Zealand, expecting a tougher challenge than the previous two Louis Vuitton Trophy regattas: “We’re very much looking forward to the racing. As we’ve seen in the last two events, the standard is just getting better and better.”

Ben Ainslie, skipper, Team Origin, hoping for a better performance after the recent departure of former team boss Mike Sanderson: “In any sporting team when things aren’t going that well, you have to make changes, and this was something as a team we needed to do. That’s it, we move forwards. We’re looking forward to getting on with the racing on the water.”

Ed Baird, skipper, Luna Rossa, the ‘new boy’ in an old team: “I feel privileged to sail with Luna Rossa and we’re looking forward to racing here on these waters. While the team spirit has been there for many years, and Luna Rossa has been successful for many years, the personnel has changed a bit along the way. So, new communication, new ways of doing things. At the end of the week we’ll have learned a lot, and hopefully we’ll be able to say we had some success along the way.”

Karol Jablonski, skipper, Synergy Russian Sailing Team, looking to improve on a lacklustre result in Auckland: "At this level in every sport, you have to take a few steps back to make a few steps forward. In our team we have sailors from eight countries, different languages, different cultures, but we are enjoy sailing with each other. For sure we are better prepared than in Auckland."

Francesco Bruni, skipper, Azzurra: "We are really happy to get into racing mode. It's also exciting to meet Mascalzone Latino in the first match. I'm very proud to be the only italian skipper and to be the skipper of Azzurra. We had some good training and we are really impressed by the venue and by the race course. It will be a great event."

A cannon shot and the raising of the Italian national flag by an honour guard comprised of Italian navy sailors accompanied by representatives of all ten teams will signal the official opening.

The Mediterranean’s famous mistral has eased and the ceremony will take place in soft, warm evening breezes after a hot, sunny, cloudless day.  The now-traditional press conference will follow on the adjacent stage that is set below the outdoor jumbo television for public viewing.

The teams will race on four equalised America’s Cup Class boats supplied by the event – ITA 90, ITA 99, USA 87 and USA 98.  Two of the boats, flying event flags and banners, were moored at docks flanking the flag-raising ceremony.

Eight countries are represented amongst the ten competing teams.  The teams are:

Aleph, FRA, skipper Bertrand Pace
All4One, FRA/GER, skipper Jochen Schümann
Artemis, SWE, skipper Paul Cayard
Azzurra, ITA, skipper Francesco Bruni
BMW ORACLE Racing, USA, skipper James Spithill
Emirates Team New Zealand, NZL, skipper Dean Barker

Luna Rossa, ITA, skipper Ed Baird
Mascalzone Latino Audi Team, ITA, skipper Gavin Brady
Synergy, RUS, skipper Karol Jablonski
TEAMORIGIN, GBR, skipper Ben Ainslie

Mrs Liliana Lorettu will welcome the sailors and the sponsors on behalf of the region. Admiral Spagnuolo of the Italian navy will speak, as will Yves Carcelle, president of Louis Vuitton.

Speaking before the ceremony, Vincenzo Onorato, Chairman of Mascalzone Latino Team, said with a smile: “To host the Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena was my idea and, standing here today, for once in my life I must say I was right. I’ve known this area well, since I was a kid and when I saw the new Arsenale I was pleasantly aware it is the best place possible to host a Louis Vuitton Trophy. We can expect light winds this weekend but after that, anything can happen.”

Paul Cayard, Chairman of the World Sailing Teams Association and skipper of the Swedish boat ARTEMIS, paid special tribute to the Italian teams. "Italy is passionate about sailing and the America's Cup,” Cayard said. “As evidence of this interest, three Italian teams are racing here; Luna Rossa, AZZURRA and Mascalzone Latino Audi Team.  Sardinia is an iconic Italian venue for sailing and I am confident that the Louis Vuitton Trophy will be a spectacular event."

Emirates Team New Zealand won the Louis Vuitton Trophy Auckland but skipper Dean Barker was cautious about his team’s chances, despite a victory last week at the Audi MedCup in Cascais, Portugal. “La Maddalena is an interesting venue,” Barker said. “Race courses will be laid inside a number of islands so we are expecting conditions to be tricky. We will be racing in two Mascalzone Latino and two BMW Oracle Racing boats. For the past two days we have spent some time learning how to sail them. Conditions have ranged from extremely light to heavy; bright sunshine to thunder, lightning and heavy rain.
The challenge for us is to discover in a short space of time just what makes these boats go . . . and what they don’t like.”

American Ed Baird, sailing for a new team as skipper of the Italian team Luna Rossa, said: “These boats are great.  They make for close racing and it’s going to be exciting competition. We have a real blend of people sailing on our team this week and it’s going to be fun to learn some new styles. We know there are a few teams that are on top of the heap right now. Emirates Team New Zealand is very strong.  The BMW Oracle guys are very good.  Mascalzone Latino had a good event in Auckland. Azzurra is sailing very well this year. We have a big hill to climb to catch up to those guys in a short amount of time.”

Francesco Bruni, skipper and helmsman of Azzurra, said: “We just completed three great days of training, with variable wind conditions, including some violent thunderstorms which caught us head on! We noticed that all the teams went into these training sessions with great determination, pushing to the limit and taking many risks, which confirms the great level of experience of all the crews. The scenery in La Maddalena, as expected, is absolutely stunning. The mood of Team Azzurra is high. We are confident that we did all we could to be prepared for this event and we are eager to start racing. The guys are excited, the group is strong and we have just the right amount of adrenalin to start."

Complete coverage, including live streaming Virtual Eye tracking of each race of the Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena is available at http://www.louisvuittontrophy.com.  News, results and features are accessible in English, Italian, French and Russian and include extensive photography and video.

Racing is scheduled to start each day with a warning signal at 10:00 local time (GMT+2).

The regatta opens on Saturday morning with the warning signal for Flight 1, Match 1, scheduled to fired at 10:00 local time (GMT+2). The opening round robin will see every team sail each other team once, in 22 Flights of racing (each Flight consists of two Matches). There is one 'orphan' match left over, making for a total of 45 races in the opening stage of the event.

Principal Race Officer Peter 'Luigi' Reggio is hoping to complete this initial round robin within a week, moving on to the elimination stages of the regatta in the second week.

But before all of that, there is the opening ceremony for the event this evening at 18:45 local time, which promises plenty of colour, before the opening press conference shortly after 19:00.

And then, on Saturday morning, the racing begins!

All 10 teams completed at least one training session on the waters off La Maddalena as the organisers strive to ensure each team has four training slots.

"The goal is to have each team complete four sessions," said Grant Davidson, who is heading up the on-the-water operations for the WSTA. "That way every team gets at least one session on each of the four boats."

Conditions were variable today, starting with moderate breeze and sunshine and ending with an afternoon thunderstorm. Training will resume on Thursday with a full day scheduled.

Friday is a maintenance day for the yachts, ahead of Saturday's first races.

After several days of very strong winds due to mistral conditions in the area, the winds moderated for most of the morning and into the early afternoon allowing three of the four scheduled scheduled sessions to take place. But by mid-afternoon, with winds approaching 20 knots again, the final slot was cancelled to ensure the boats remain undamaged.

One of the teams to get in two training sessions today was the French Aleph team. Damien Iehl, in the strategist/traveller position described his day: "We started in lighter winds of 10 to 12 knots. Then, for the second session it went up to 22 knots. But for us, it was perfect. We are still adjusting to sailing with each other so it was great to get through several manoeuvres and practice starts. Our afterguard has changed a little bit since Auckland, and there have been some other changes amongst the grinders and the trimmers, but the basis of our team is the same, so our level is better now than it was before the event in Auckland.”

BMW ORACLE Racing was among the teams to sail in the morning session. The America’s Cup defender is returning to the Louis Vuitton Trophy after missing the Auckland regatta due to its Cup commitments. With new navigator Ian Moore on board, the team had a good training session with Azzurra.

“The sessions are quite short - 75 minutes - so you don't want to waste time,” Moore explained. “You get the crew on board, trim on to make sure everything is ok, and then get straight into practice starts with your training partner.

“We try to do two practice starts and then on the third start we sail a very short race, windward-leeward, and try to repeat that cycle if there is time. We might have copped a penalty in one of the pre-starts, but that's also good in a way, to learn what you can and can't get away with while it doesn’t count against you!”

With Moore moving to BMW ORACLE Racing from TeamOrigin, the British team has called upon veteran navigator Peter Isler, who sailed with them in the Pacific Series in February 2009, to rejoin the team for the Louis Vuitton Trophy. And Isler says he’s very happy to be back.

“These regattas are the best,” Isler said after getting off the water this afternoon. “I can't imagine anything better from a sailor's perspective. There's a lot of good racing, and I think we all have a lot of friends out there. In these events you spend time not just with your team, but also with your competitors, when you’re transferring boats or on shore. So you feel like you’re at a regatta and not just isolated with a single team. And above all, the racing is at a very high level. So I think everyone looks forward to it.”

Training resumes on Wednesday, with the opening press conference on Friday and the first races of the Round Robin on Saturday.

While the host Mascalzone Latino Audi Team has been training for much of the past week with BMW ORACLE Racing, which is making its return to the Louis Vuitton Trophy as Defender of the America’s Cup, many of the other teams have been racing in the TP52 class in Cascais.

The MedCup opener, the Trofeo de Portugal, wraps up on Sunday and six Louis Vuitton Trophy teams – All4One, Artemis, Emirates Team New Zealand, Luna Rossa, Synergy, and TeamOrigin – will arrive via a special charter flight from Portugal on Monday.

They will find the facilities for the Louis Vuitton Trophy in La Maddalena to be simply stunning. The Porto Arsenale, which was developed for the 2009 G8 conference (later moved elsewhere in Italy), is a premiere facility, absolutely perfect for hosting the 10 teams along with media, guests, partners and sailing fans.

“This is pretty incredible isn’t it?” was the way Ian Stuart, the shore team and logistics manager for Emirates Team New Zealand put it when he arrived on Sunday and walked around the facilities.

Offshore, the backdrop of the Costa Smeralda is breathtaking and the race area should test the crews with shifty, changeable conditions.

With most of the teams due on site on Monday, official on-the-water training is scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, by which time the strong winds predominant over Sardinia are forecast to moderate somewhat.

It was this boat that marked Italy’s stunning debut at the America’s Cup in Newport, Rhode Island, and placed third in the Louis Vuitton Cup behind the eventual winner Australia II, which would go on to win the America’s Cup later that year – the first challenger to do so in 132 years of Cup competition.

The 12-metre Azzurra will greet the thousands of sailing enthusiasts who arrive in Olbia en route to La Maddalena for the Louis Vuitton Trophy, where the revitalised Azzurra team is one of three Italian crews in the competition.

The 1983 Azzurra was designed by Andrea Vallicelli and flew the flag of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. H.H. the Aga Khan was a backer, as was Gianni Agnelli. Skippered by Cino Ricci and with Mauro Pelaschier on the helm, the original Azzurra team won 24 of 49 races and developed a large and loyal following in Italy.

Restoration work on Azzurra took place in 2009 under the direction of the Yacht Club Costa Esmeralda at the Maxi Dolphin yard and required over 6 000 hours of work.

The new Azzurra team made an incredible debut at the Louis Vuitton Trophy in Nice in November 2009, surprising Emirates Team New Zealand in the final to claim the trophy. In Auckland earlier this year, the team was third.

Azzurra joins Luna Rossa and the host Mascalzone Latino Audi Team as the three Italian teams taking up the challenge of the Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena later this month.

And the Louis Vuitton Trophy teams are dominating the leaderboard after three days of racing. In fact, the top five crews are LVT teams.

Defending champion – in both the MedCup and the Louis Vuitton Trophy – Emirates Team New Zealand leads TeamOrigin and Synergy, with Artemis and All4One close behind. Luna Rossa is currently eighth in the 11 boat fleet.

The Audi MedCup will have six Louis Vuitton Trophy teams competing across its five events this summer, with the fleet racing circuit proving to be a demanding proving ground for top sailing teams.

"The standard is much higher than last year," said ETNZ skipper Dean Barker. "The teams have put in more time preparing. The boats are all in very good condition and certainly the fleet seems to be cruising along pretty much the same speed, so it's all about small gains here and there.”

More at the event website here.

The two teams, BMW ORACLE Racing and Mascalzone Latino Audi Team, are both among the founding members of the World Sailing Teams Association (WSTA).

At the first press conference of the 34^th America’s Cup, they signalled a new era of cooperation between all teams with a promise to engage in consultation and cooperation on all major issues in building the next event.

“We want discussion and debate now in order to avoid disagreement later,” said Russell Coutts, the CEO of BMW ORACLE Racing. “Our minds and our ears are open.”

Coutts went on to describe their desire to build a series of regular, annual events that will help to “transform the America’s Cup into a viable, exciting platform which teams and commercial partners will find irresistible…

"A circuit of events will take the America's Cup to new audiences, where people can see the sailing stars of today and the new stars of tomorrow. Teams will enjoy regular racing and extra visibility in different locations and markets.

"We are working closely with the World Sailing Teams Association on a proposal for their events to be integrated into the big picture of the America's Cup,” Coutts went on to say.

"Fair and equal representation for the teams and a regular calendar of global events will represent real value that the teams can pass along to their sponsors.”

Paul Cayard, six-time America's Cup competitor and President of the World Sailing Teams Association, commented positively on Thursday's announcements:

“I think that what BMW ORACLE Racing is offering to the America’s Cup community is exactly what has been needed for some time. Fortunately for everyone, they are willing to cede a lot of authority to create a more professional and credible sporting event.

“We look forward to collaborating with them to produce a truly spectacular sailing event.”

Later in the press conference, Vincenzo Onorato, Coutts’ counterpart with Mascalzone Latino Audi Team revealed key dates on the road to the America’s Cup.

- The Protocol will be published before 31st August
- The design rule will be published before 30th September
- The Notice of Race, and Sailing Instructions will be published before 31st December
- The Venue will be announced by the same date, 31st December
- The challenge period will be open from October 31st through January 31st, 2011

In the meantime, the WSTA is busy in Sardinia with preparations for the Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena, scheduled to begin in just two weeks time with 10 teams, including BMW ORACLE Racing and Mascalzone Latino Audi Team, participating.

Racing is scheduled to begin on May 22, with the official team training period opening on May 18.

Three Italian entries, including the host Mascalzone Latino Audi Team, Azzurra and Luna Rossa will be battling with teams such as the Defender of the America’s Cup, BMW ORACLE Racing and perennial favourite Emirates Team New Zealand, for supremacy on the sparkling waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

An innovative regatta format has been developed that will allow all teams the greatest opportunity to advance to the next step, while rewarding teams who do well with second chances.

Initially, each team will sail every other team once in a single round robin. The top eight teams will advance to the next stage and the round robin seeding will continue to be used in later stages. Doing well in the round robin will have its rewards.

“Having each of the teams sail each other at least once is very important,” said Peter ‘Luigi’ Reggio, the Principal Race Officer for the regatta. “The teams really want this opportunity.”

 In the middle elimination rounds, top-ranked teams are matched against the lower ranked teams – that’s one of the rewards for doing well early – and the winning teams keep advancing, through to a semi final and final.

“If a top seed loses in the middle rounds, they’ll get a second chance to earn a way back in. Conversely, if a lower ranked team gets hot and starts winning, they’ll keep racing. It’s an interesting and fair format.”

The teams will race on four equalised America’s Cup Class boats supplied by the event – ITA 90, ITA 99, USA 87 and USA 98. The boats have now arrived on site and will be prepared for racing.

The logistics team is also now working in La Maddalena as the event organisers begin preparations to host the 10 teams, their friends, families, partners and sponsors, as well as sailing fans from around the world.

La Maddalena is small town (population near 12 000) on an island with the same name that sits just one nautical mile off the Northeast coast of Sardinia and offers up some of the most stunning backdrops for sailing in the Mediterranean.

The race village will be set up about one kilometre to the east of the centre of town, near the southeast corner of the island.

The 10 teams competing in the Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena represent eight countries:

• Aleph, FRA, skipper Bertrand Pacé
• All4One, FRA/GER, skipper Jochen Schümann
• Artemis, SWE, skipper Paul Cayard
• Azzurra, ITA, skipper Francesco Bruni
• BMW ORACLE Racing, USA, skipper James Spithill
• Emirates Team New Zealand, NZL, skipper Dean Barker
• Luna Rossa, ITA, skipper Ed Baird
• Mascalzone Latino Audi Team, ITA, skipper Gavin Brady
• Synergy, RUS, skipper Karol Jablonski
• TEAMORIGIN, GBR, skipper Ben Ainslie

Racing in the Round Robin is scheduled to start on the 22^nd May, with teams training on site beginning on the 18^th May.

Shipping containers filled with all of the bits and pieces that make a Louis Vuitton Trophy event successful arrived today, giving the logistics crew plenty of work in the days ahead.

Photographer Paul Todd is also in town and he provided these images of the team at work on Monday.

The four race boats have arrived on site as well, so the shore crews will be flat out unpacking, rigging and preparing them for racing.

We'll have more updates throughout the week.

This week in Austria, the BMW ORACLE Racing and Artemis teams are competing in the RC 44 Austria Cup, with sailors like Ray Davies (Emirates Team New Zealand), Paul Cayard (Artemis) and Jimmy Spithill (with BMW ORACLE Racing for the LVT but sailing in Austria for RC 44 Challenge) are sprinkled throughout the fleet.

"It doesn't matter the type of boat at this point, any racing is valuable," Coutts said in Austria. "Working together as a team and spending time together is important. We've got to figure out how our team will work in the future and these regattas give us an opportunity to begin thinking about that."

In the lead up to the Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena, many teams will head to the Audi Med Cup season opener, including TEAMORIGIN, Artemis, Emirates Team New Zealand, Luna Rossa, Synergy and the newest team to join the circuit, ALL4ONE sailing as the Audi A1 Team.

“This gives our team more activity,” said ALL4ONE skipper Jochen Schümann, as the team announced its participation.

“It gives us more action, more activity, more training, and hopefully more performance from the extra hours sailing and working together.”

In fact, so many Louis Vuitton Trophy teams and sailors will be in Cascais for the MedCup that a flight will be organised to take everyone to La Maddalena at the same time.

In addition to these outside events, Luna Rossa and Azzurra held a training session together on America’s Cup Class boats in Valencia earlier in April.

Given the buzz of activity as the 2010 season kicks into gear, expect to see all the teams operating at a very high level in La Maddalena.

With just one month to go before racing begins on May 22, the host team, Mascalzone Latino Audi Team, is eager to extend a warm welcome to teams, sponsors and guests alike.

“La Maddalena is among the best places in the world to sail,” said Vincenzo Onorato, the team principal of Mascalzone Latino Audi Team. “The waters are warm, the wind conditions are very good and the people of La Maddalena will be gracious hosts. I want to welcome all of my sailing friends and fans of the sport to join us here in May.”

The Louis Vuitton Trophy - La Maddalena follows two successful regattas in Auckland (February 2010) and Nice (November 2009) over the past six months. Further events are planned in Dubai in November and Hong Kong in January of 2011.

For La Maddalena, two additional teams will join the eight who competed in Auckland, and both are world-class sailing squads. BMW ORACLE Racing, who won the America’s Cup Match in February, rejoins the Louis Vuitton Trophy after it missed the Auckland regatta due to its Cup commitments.

Luna Rossa, which has competed for the America’s Cup three times, winning the Louis Vuitton Cup in 2000, will race for the Louis Vuitton Trophy for the very first time, after sailing in a precursor event, the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series in 2009. Luna Rossa has assembled an impressive crew, including skipper Ed Baird, winner of the 32^nd America’s Cup with Alinghi and tactician Torben Grael, who skippered Ericsson to a win in the last Volvo Ocean Race.

The addition of Luna Rossa will make for three Italian teams in La Maddalena, including Azzurra, the winning team in the Nice event. Also on the start list is the champion from Auckland, Emirates Team New Zealand. The full line-up for La Maddalena is 10 teams, representing eight countries:

• Aleph, FRA, skipper Bertrand Pacé
• All4One, FRA/GER, skipper Jochen Schümann
• Artemis, SWE, skipper Paul Cayard
• Azzurra, ITA, skipper Francesco Bruni
• BMW ORACLE Racing, USA, skipper James Spithill
• Emirates Team New Zealand, NZL, skipper Dean Barker
• Luna Rossa, ITA, skipper Ed Baird
• Mascalzone Latino Audi Team, ITA, skipper Gavin Brady
• Synergy, RUS, skipper Karol Jablonski
• TEAMORIGIN, GBR, skipper Ben Ainslie

In the Louis Vuitton Trophy regattas, the teams match-race equalised America’s Cup Class boats. For La Maddalena, the boats will be supplied by BMW ORACLE Racing (USA 87 and USA 98) and Mascalzone Latino Audi Team (ITA 90 and ITA 99).

La Maddalena is small town (population near 12 000) on an island with the same name that sits just one nautical mile off the Northeast coast of Sardinia. It is renowned for its beaches and its pink, rocky terrain and like Sardinia itself, offers up some of the most stunning backdrops for sailing in the Mediterranean.

The race village itself is set up about one kilometre to the east of the centre of town, near the southeast corner of the island. The heart of the race village will feature a big screen broadcasting all of the action from the race course. Crews will be in the race village interacting with the crowds during photo sessions, autograph signings and public press conferences. Food and beverage as well as team merchandise is also available, and the Louis Vuitton Junior Trophy will be contested by local junior sailors.

The easiest way to get to La Maddalena is to fly into Olbia’s Costa Smeralda airport (many flights transfer through Rome) and then transfer by road to Palau, approximately 40 kilometres to the north of Olbia. From Palau, there is a short ferry to La Maddalena. Alternatively, there are ferries into Palau from Corsica as well as Genoa and Napoli.

Racing is scheduled from the 22^nd May through the 6^th June. But teams will start official training sessions on the 18^th May.

“I love to steer because I don’t like to be the tactician here.  It was a very tough job today,” he said after Azzurra was knocked out of the semifinals by Emirates Team New Zealand 2-1. 

But the all-Italian team, winners of the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice event, finished their regatta in Auckland on a brighter note - with a win over the Swedish Artemis team in the sail-off for third.

Azzurra went into the third semifinal encounter earlier in the day on equal footing with the host team, but the Kiwis carried their confidence through from their last-gasp win the night before.

“Of course yesterday was tough to digest losing by one second, or one metre - it was very close. But I think it’s all part of the excitement,” Bruni said.

“And I’m very happy to be here – it’s been just great to sail here. The quality of the racing has been fantastic, the boats were very good, the wind was perfect. It’s just a very good happy ending for us, with Artemis.

“I think Azzurra just confirmed we are a top level team. And I am very pleased with that.”

Azzurra came to Auckland with a reputation of being a strong team in light airs, but in the last two weeks, proved they could hold their own in heavier breezes.

Bruni said the team was proud to be all-Italian. “That is our main goal to speak one language – Italian… sometimes we speak it too loud. But that’s just the way we are.”

By making the semifinals in the Auckland event – but dipping out of the finals at the hands of Mascalzone Latino Audi – Artemis improved significantly on their seventh placing in the LV debut in Nice.

“We’re assembling a new team here, we’ve got a lot of America’s Cup experience on board, and we need to get that all glued together. We made a huge step forward here in Auckland, and we’re really happy with how we sailed,” Artemis skipper Cayard said.

“It didn’t end as we hoped today, obviously, but we feel a lot stronger and we’re building a good foundation. I think we definitely raised our game; all our competitors know that, and they probably expected that of us. We’re very competitive now.”

The core of the Artemis crew will continue to race together over the next few months leading to the next Louis Vuitton Trophy event in La Maddalena, Italy. They have a TP52 boat sailing in the Audi MedCup, and match racing on the RC44 circuit. 

Training in Dubai before racing in Auckland was one of the keys to Artemis’ improvement. “We’re all more on the same page,” Cayard said. “We’ve just got to keep the momentum going, and build this thing brick by brick, not the whole house at once.”

Changing hats, Cayard in his role as chairman of the World Sailing Teams Association, said the Auckland event had been a win-win situation for all involved, from the sailing teams to the sponsors, supporters and fans.

“This is a fantastic event. We raced several races right on the wind limit, which is great for spectators and the TV. The Kiwi public are very supportive and interested, so it’s fun to be here,” he said.

“I think the Louis Vuitton Trophy races are going to form a fundamental part of the next America’s Cup, and I know Russell Coutts and Larry Ellison believe in this strongly. They [BMW Oracle] are founding members of the WSTA. It’s proving itself to be a great formula, and we’re looking forward to the future.”

Mike Sanderson, managing director of TEAMORIGIN and on runners in the race crew, said the team were “utterly disappointed” to be eliminated before the semifinals of the Auckland event.  But they now have other business to attend to.

“This gives us a great opportunity to spend more time on our TP52, which went in the water last night. I’ve been struggling in my head how we were quite going to make it work, if we got through to the finals. Now it’s pretty clear… we are into the new boat tomorrow,” the ever-optimistic Sanderson said.

Sanderson conceded the crew, despite “acts of brilliance” in the last 10 days, needed more work to achieve their next goal – to win the Louis Vuitton Trophy event in La Maddalena in May.  “We need to spend more time together, as all of us do, to close the gap to Team New Zealand,” he said.

“We had big hopes for here, we had big hopes for Nice, and for Auckland a year ago. We are going to La Maddalena to win the event. We will do everything we can, and we’re very busy as a sailing team. We need to make sure we’re much better than this when we come back, because we have the talent, we’ve done the work, but we don’t seem to be getting the points on the board.”

Sanderson said the Auckland event had been spectacular, and the 12-25 knot winds on the Waitemata Harbour were challenging, but not unexpected.

“In our debriefs in Nice, we often said ‘We’re not going to get away with this in Auckland - our crew work will have to be sharper, it’s more about boat handling. It’s been an amazing event – sunny and windy – really spectacular.”

The All4One team, who also had high expectations for Auckland, were also a denied a semifinal spot, losing to Italians Azzurra.  Skipper Jochen Schumann was disappointed that his team bowed out on a messy note – first incurring a penalty before the start, then losing their spinnaker under the boat.

“It was a close race, but we couldn’t get around them. The whole race was very much in a right-hand phase so we couldn’t make it round to the left-hand side,” he said.

But Schumann wasn’t downhearted about the German-French team’s overall performance in Auckland, after finishing fifth in Nice.

“For sure it was exciting racing, in very tough conditions - high breezes close to 20 knots.  Fighting to be in the semifinals was a good success for us.”

Forty young sailors from the Louis Vuitton Junior Trophy regatta, being sailed inside the Viaduct Harbour in O’pen Bic boats, got an up-close and personal meeting with the Auld Mug tonight at Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum, and also met some of the team who now hold it.

Cup winners BMW Oracle, who brought the silver ewer to Auckland this week, gathered all of its team members currently scattered across the different teams competing in the Louis Vuitton Trophy Auckland, to talk to the youth sailors.

BMW Oracle skipper Jimmy Spithill – who first sailed in the America’s Cup as a teenager - was among the senior sailors encouraging the kids.

“We appreciate all the people who come to see us and congratulate us with the Cup. But for us, the exciting thing is meeting the kids,” he says.

“Especially the kids sailing these great little boats.  These kids are the future of world sailing.  And I wouldn’t be surprised if one day they’re sailing boats like these, but on a bigger scale, in the America’s Cup.”

The final of the Louis Vuitton Junior Trophy will be sailed on Saturday, at 2pm. The winner receives an O'pen Bic boat and the privilege of sailing as 18th man in the final of the Louis Vuitton Trophy on Sunday.

French skipper Bertrand Pacé, a former Auckland resident during his time with Emirates Team New Zealand, said his team had made a big step forward during a “great event”. Synergy’s skipper, Karol Jablonski, was grateful for all that his team learned on the Waitemata Harbour – especially in their final two races with ETNZ.  Both skippers lamented a lack of practice before the event which left their crews struggling against more experienced opponents.

Pacé said ALEPH had made a step forward from their last Louis Vuitton Trophy appearance in Nice, where as Team Spirit, they finished eighth of eight teams.

“For sure, I think we made a big improvement, in terms of sailing, communication, and using the boats in this regatta compared to Nice. But there is another step so you can sail against these guys. To do this step we need more practice and training, and at this stage we have no money for training. So that’s a big point for us,” he said.

“Now I will sail a few events - one match racing, one fleet racing - then I will schedule training on smaller boats to prepare the group for La Maddalena.”

Pacé was proud of the way his crew sailed the elimination race against Mascalzone Latino Audi, helmed by Gavin Brady, which they lost by 25s.

“Definitely in the pre-start, Gavin made a better job than me. There was no position for us – just start behind him, so we tried to stay as close to him as we can. Then at the top mark I think the call to do a Zambucca gybe was the right call, because the pressure was there, but unfortunately for us, we saw straight away there was a hole in the kite,” he said.  

“It was a fantastic regatta. For us it was a great event.”

The Russians, who finished third in Nice, did not manage to notch up a win in Auckland, and Jablonski put it down to a distinct lack of match racing practice.

“The crew work was coming along, but obviously in these tough conditions 22-23 knots with current against you, you need more hours on the water together,” he said.  “During the event, we got stronger.

“Every race against Team New Zealand, is going to be a tough one for us, you’re racing against one of the best teams in the world.  That team has sailed together for a long long time. Just in a match with them you learn a lot. You do a small mistake, and you lose.

“This is a new team in the Louis Vuitton Trophy, we were a new team in Nice, and we had a great result there. We actually expected here to have maybe done better. But you have to know that if you race here, every small mistake can cost you a race.

“So to keep this thing together before La Maddalena, we are planning do some practice sessions. We have our lesson learned. You know we never have had a sponsor to support the team.  We need to practice more, do the TP52 circuit, keep the team as busy as we can. This is a long term project.”

1800 - That's it for today. At 1830, the teams will draw for start line entry and boat. And you can find interviews with some of the sailors in the audio gallery.

1750 - A win for Artemis, who get on the board in this regatta with a powerful 1:21 win over ALEPH.

1742 - Artemis retains control around the top mark heading into the final run for the finish. A nice bear-away set on Artemis. ALEPH is around now, 1:02 behind.

1733 - Hutchinson and co. are through the gate with a big lead now. Artemis heads up the right side of the race course, and ALEPH struggling to follow. They go through the gate with the jib not all the way up and the gennaker trailing in the water. Artemis will extend further ahead from that.

1726 - Artemis leads around the top mark by a healthy 27-seconds. A good hoist on Artemis, a bit slower on ALEPH.

1724 - Breeze is on here - approaching 15 knots in places at the top of the course. Artemis still in control approaching the top mark.

1720 - The Swedish Artemis team has done a nice job early in this final match of the day, extending to a lead of 70+ metres - that's about three lengths. The wind up at this end of the course up above 12 knots.

1717 - Artemis is to the left, ALEPH slightly to the right, but Artemis is two lengths ahead and protecting the left side of the race course.

1715 - ALEPH and Artemis are deep in the start box now with ALEPH circling around and trying to attack Artemis. Hutchinson isn't biting, he circles early to lead back to the line, with ALEPH on the push. 20 seconds to go and Artemis is trying to kill time approaching the line. But ALEPH has the time on distance calculation wrong. Artemis hits the line at speed with ALEPH two lengths back. Pace tacks, and Hutchinson follows. Artemis is already in control.

1713 - Artemis sliding backwards now as ALEPH circles around. The French lead out to the right, with Artemis now up to speed and chasing from a long way back.

1711 - Into the dial-up now, about 8 to 10 knots of wind. Artemis moving forward on the left now.

1710 - We're into the pre-start with ALEPH and Bertrand Pace coming in from the right and Artemis, with Terry Hutchinson into the box on port tack from the left.

1655 - And five more minutes again. Warning signal scheduled for 1705 now.

1648 - Luigi needs another five minutes. Warning signal now at the top of the hour.

1640 - The RC has scheduled the warning signal for 1655...

1631 - The Race Committee will try to get the final match started within the next half hour.

1630 - Azzurra has two wins from two starts, as they cross the finish line 41 seconds ahead of Synergy.

1628 - There's a good spectator fleet out considering it's a week day.And there are plenty of spectators on Devonport Wharf, North Head and Tamaki Drive. It's a glodrious Auckland day - bright sunshine, good breeze, great racing.

1624 -It's going to be difficult for Jablonski to come back on the final half of the leg now. Azzurra looks very strong - good tactics, nice crew work, sailing fast - that's tough to beat.

1622 - Bruni up by 175 metres now early on the final leg.

1620 - It's looking good for Bruni and his team now. They're around the top mark and starting the run to the finish with a 28-second lead. Azzurra looking to join Team New Zealand with on two wins at the top of the table.

1616 - The Italians are extending now. The power of the lead allows Bruni and team to pick their shifts, and they're doing a nice job of that here.

1614 - First cross on the second beat goes to Azzurra by nearly 100 metres.

1612 - Nice execution on the Italian boat.Synergy goes through the gate 12 seconds back. The Italians take the right side again for the second beat, the Russians on the left.

1611 - Azzurra extending slightly on the bottom part of this first run. The Italians set up for a tricky gybe drop. It should be easier for Synergy to get around the gate.

1609 - Synergy attacking from the trailing position now, gybing away. They gain some separation as Azzurra doesn't match immediately.

1607 - Great work by the grinders on both boats on this leg. 10 tacks for Synergy, nine for Azzurra in that leg.

1605 - A good match race here. Both boats tack on layline near the top mark and round nearly overlapped. Azzurra leads around by just 7 seconds. A good hoist on Azzurra. Not as good on Synergy. The Italians gain another half a length.

1603 - Those little gains have added up to a passing move for Azzurra. The Italians are able to hold position on this latest lee bow tack from Synergy and are now on top of the Russian boat. Azzurra can sail out to the port tack layline, sitting to windward of Synergy, and should be able to convert this into a lead at the top mark.

1602 - It looks like small gains to Azzurra, but they're getting pushed out towards the starboard tack layline. Jablonski and Synergy losing a little bit here. Nine tacks so far.

1600 - Still plenty of tacking. The boats are splitting and converging time and again. Hard work for the grinders here - elevated heart beats now.

1558 - It looks like we're in for a bit of tacking duel here, and Azzurra keeps coming in from the right, and Synergy keeps make lee bow tacks ahead of them. Just shy of a boat length lead for Jablonski.

1557 - First cross as Azzurra tacks, Synergy not able to cross, but they tack in a very tight lee bow position, forcing Azzurra back to the right.

1555 - Azzurra starts tight to windward of Synergy, with Jablonski throwing in a late luff from tight leeward, forcing both boats to tack. Bruni has the right side, but Jablonski is bow forward with both boats on port tack.

1554 - Plenty of circling in this pre-start and the teams burn off time ahead of the start. With one minute to go, Synergy leads back, Azzura pushing.

1550 - Into the prestart now between Synergy - Karol Jablonski - and Azzurra - Francesco Bruni. We have a dial-up here, Azzurra on the left, Synergy on the right. Great conditions for racing now.

1540 - The course axis will be 250 degrees. 1.2 mile legs, with the wind up near 12 knots.

1530 - Repairs have been made to the boat and the Race Committee is hoping to fire the warning signal at 1545. The next pair to race is Azzurra (1-0) against Synergy (0-1).

1502 - Look for at least a 30-minute gap between races now, as the shore crews get on board the Mascalzone boat to effect repairs.

1457 - Emirates Team New Zealand is across the line, their second consecutive win, while ML Audi is finishing the course, over four minutes back, after turning in a very impressive performance.

1450 - Conditions are great on the harbour now, with the wind up near 14-knots.

1447 - ETNZ are around the top and now Mascalzone Latino Audi follow, over three minutes back. This is a heartbreaking turn of events for the Italians who had sailed a brillian race here against a Kiwi team sailing on home waters and home equipment.

1444 - Morgan Larson, tactician, is speaking to the camera now, explaining that jib clip, attaching the halyard to the sail, has broken.

1443 - A very tough break for Mascalzone Latino - Audi here. The headsail is down, ETNZ are sailing away. The Italians are bleeding metres to the Kiwis.

1440 - Trouble on Mascalzone Latino - it looks like a problem with the jib halyard. They'll be all but out of this race now.

1439 - The can't cross!! The Kiwis make a close lee-bow tack. ML Audi holds on for a few moments, but they can't stay there. They tack away, and Barker follows - he's got the power of the right now and can push ML Audi out to the port tack layline now.

1438 - Barker and co. are making gains on the right. Both boats tack now. We have a cross coming up here, but it's going to be very close. Just a few metres ahead for ML Audi, but they're coming from the left. Can they cross?

1436 - The kiwis have closed it up a little bit on this leg. A late drop by the Kiwis as they try to make a gain. Just an 8 second delta now for ML Audi. But the Kiwis are on the right heading upwind, and will hold the starboard advantage when the boats converge.

1435 -A big split at the bottom of this leg, with ML Audi on the left side of the course, ETNZ on the right. Both need to gybe to make the leeward gate. Good crew work on both boats right now.

1433 - Another gybe from the Kiwis here, but ML Audi continue out. So some leverage for TNZ here.

1431 - Coming up to the layline, ML Audi has a 90-metre lead. The Kiwis are chasing hard. Simultaneous gybes and the Kiwis do a nice job getting inside onthe Italians now. Barker looking to attack from here.

1429 - A nice rounding by ML Audi. A bear away set, but the spinnaker takes a few moments to fill. A 22-second lead for ML Audi. A great hoist by the Kiwis.

1427 - The tactician on the Italian boat, Morgan Larson, has done a great job of calling the shifts on this first upwind leg. ML Audi will lead at the top mark.

1425 - They switch sides now, with ML Audi crossing ahead to the left. It's a 100-metre lead now for ML Audi. We could be looking at an upset here.

1424 - The Italians are protecting the right hand side of the race course, and why wouldn't they? They've built a nice advantage on that side.

1422 - A big right hand shift now, and Mascalzone Latino Audi is looking good on the right. A second cross here and Brady is nicely ahead of ETNZ now by a length now.

1421 - With two minutes to the start, ETNZ turn back for the starting line, with ML Audi chasing. Gavin Brady, at the helm of the Italian boat, tries for the hook, pushing Barker towards the line. One minute to go and Brady sweeps his bow clear behind the Kiwi boat, tacking back towards the Committee Boat. Brady may have won the right side here. ETNZ tacks, Barker splits off to the left, with ML Audi taking the right. As soon as they start, Brady tacks as well. The kiwis tack as well, there's a quick convergence with ML Audi protecting the right. Brady makes a nice lee bow tack. The Kiwis ask for a penalty, but the Umpires disagree. Early advantage to ML Audi.

1417 - Into the start box and a dial-up with Emirates Team New Zealand on the right and Mascalzone Latino Audi on the left.

1412 - The warning signal has been fired - eight minutes to the start.

1400 - The warning signal for Match 2 will be at 14:10. The course axis is set at 250-degrees, and the wind is up near 10 knots.

1330 - The next pair on the schedule is Mascalzone Latino Audi Team against Emirates Team New Zealand. Start time should be near 14:00.

1328 - TEAMORIGIN take this one. A nice job by the afterguard, including Santi Lange up the rig, calling the shifts. ALL4ONE is well back, crossing 1:33 back. A big win for the Brits who even their record at 1-1. ALL4ONE drops to 1-1 with the loss.

1324 - ORIGIN gybes on the layline for the finish. The British boat looks certain to pick up their first point here, with a 300-metre lead now. Ainslie extending away from Col now.

1320 - Percy and Simpson in the British afterguard are keeping an eye on the Franco-German boat. As ALL4ONE gybes, so does ORIGIN, who we can expect to protect their position all the way down to the finish. It's about a 150+ metre lead now.

1316 - ORIGIN leads around the top mark, a nice gentle spinnaker hoist. 27 seconds behind, ALL4ONE is around, following them downwind.

1312 -ORIGIN tacking on the shifts now, holding a very loose cover by staying in between ALL4ONE and the top mark.

1310 - The wind is up nearer 8 knots now. ORIGIN has tacked in from the right, ALL4ONE from the left. As the boats converge for a cross, Ainslie enjoys an 80 metre advantage.

1309 - Not a great gybe by ALL4ONE, and that hands back 20-metres to the British boat. ORIGIN gybes around the gate, taking the right hand side of the race course, while ALL4ONE is splitting away. Not the tidiest on the spinnaker drop either. 24-seconds is the delta at the gate.

1307 - ORIGIN gybes for the gate now, with a 50-metre lead.

1305 - Course axis will change to 245 for the second lap of the course, indicating a 10-degree shift. ALL4ONE has gybed back towards the middle of the course, with ORIGIN following suit. Still a 60-metre lead for ORIGIN.

1303 - It's a long starboard gybe here. ALL4ONE has done a nice job from the trailing position getting inside ORIGIN.

13:00 - ORIGIN lead around the top, in control. A nice, clean, bear-away spinnaker set. A 26 second lead to the Brits, with ALL4ONE making a nice gybe set around the top. ORIGIN gybes to cover.

1257 - It's a long port tack for both boats now, near the port tack layline. ORIGIN is up by about three lenghts, with Ainslie trying to 'pinch' up to the mark.

1255 - Ainslie and Percy elect to protect the right, tacking above Col, and forcing ALL4ONE back to the left.

1254 - ORIGIN is the first to tack, coming in from the right with a boatlength lead on the advantage line, after the tack. ALL4ONE tacks now too, so we're looking at the first cross coming in a few moments. ORIGIN will take it, with the advantage line stretching to 70 metres as the boats converge for the first time.

1252 - They're into a big split right away, ORIGIN out to the right, ALL4ONE tacking at the start line and heading out left. There's a lot of leverage here as the boats split by over 500 metres now.

1250 - ALL4ONE trying for the hook, pushing ORIGIN up towards the line. ORIGIN has the right if they want it with one minute to go. ALL4ONE pushing hard with 30-seconds to go. ORIGIN still on the right, leading the charge towards the Committee Boat. Into a speed build on both boats as ORIGIN hits the line at pace, ALL4ONE chasing, and tacks away. Perfect time on distance on the British boat.

1248 -TEAMORIGIN chasing ALL4ONE now, Percy tells Ainslie there's a length of bias on the line, favouring the right. They're deep in the start box, ORIGIN talking about a left shift, so they cut inside ALL4ONE, and are leading back towards the line now. Both boats early with 2-minutes to go

1245 - Into the start box again as the five minute gun fires. ALL4ONE crosses ahead on port tack.

1238 - They've abandoned the start. Perhaps a windshift, or too many boats in the start area. The warning signal will go again at 1240.

1236 - We're into the start sequence. No dial-up, with ALL4ONE crossing ahead on port tack and TEAMORIGIN going into the chase.

1233 - ALL4ONE, with skipper Jochen Schuemann assisting John Cutler on tactics and strategy, and Sebastian Col on the helm, picked up a good win yesterday. TEAMORIGIN is still looking to get their first point, with Ben Ainslie on the wheel, and Iain Percy on Andrew 'Bart' Simpson, on tactics and strategy. This should be a great match.

1230 - The AP flag is down. Racing is about to begin between ALL4ONE and TEAMORIGIN.

1225 - Five more minutes in postponement - there's a puff at the top of the course and the Race Committee wants to let it make its way down the course. Warning signal at 1230.

1220 - Warning signal set for 1225...

1202 - It shouldn't be much longer in postponement however, as the conditions are becoming ideal for racing. The wind is near 7-8 knots. The race course is tucked right inside the inner harbour, providing a spectacular 'stadium' for the racing. Look for a warning signal before the bottom of the hour.

1200 - The AP flag is staying up for a little bit longer, as the Race Committee looks to move the start line.

1145 - We're on track for a 1200 Warning Signal, with the first start at 1210 local time (2310 GMT). The starting line is tucked under North Head in the harbour, with a course axis 255-degrees, 6-8 knots.

1100 - We're still under postponement. But Peter Reggio expects to be able to start racing with a warning signal at 12:00 local time (2300 GMT). In the meantime, you can watch highlights from yesterday's racing on our YouTube channel.

0930 - The teams will stay ashore until 1045 now. So no warning signal before 1145...

0815 - Principal Race OFficer Peter 'Luigi' Reggio has confirmed the postponement. There will be now warning signal fired before 1100. The race officials will re-assess the weather at 0930 and issue an update then.

0807 - It's looking like we might be in for a postponement again today - at the morning briefing, Roger 'Clouds' Badham is forecasting variable conditions this morning, giving way to better breezes in the afternoon.

"During a regatta, it is rather difficult to get people on the water. That is the reason why we chose to bring the regatta to the public," says Troublé. With that in mind, there will be multiple activities for the public throughout the regatta. After two training days on March 7 and 8, racing will start on March 9th and end on the 21st.

Every day, at least one of the Emirates Team New Zealand America's Cup yachts will moor at a dock on the edge of the Village when they are not racing. One boat will remain at the Village overnight before it is towed to the team base at 7:00 am for bottom cleaning.  Times may vary according to the state of the tide.

In the village, a jumbo video daylight screen will display live TV plus and 3-D Virtual Eye tracking from the race course, along with expert commentary and analysis. There will be two coffee grinder winches like those on the Cup boats, for people to test their strength and grinding technique. There will be knot tying demonstrations, face painting, team information, a result board, plus the latest information from on the water. Everything will be there for the public to enjoy their time next to the Viaduct Basin's many restaurants, bars and cafes.

About 45 minutes after racing finishes each night, the public can take part in the evening press conference which will also be shown on the jumbo screen. The public will also have an opportunity to mix and meet with many of the world’s best sailors and get their autographs. 

In France last November another Italian team, Azzurra, led by Francesco Bruni won the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Côte d'Azur, defeating the favorite Emirates Team New Zealand and its skipper Dean Barker 2-0.  Both teams are part of the eight-syndicate entry for the regatta on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour.

The only syndicate from last year, other than Emirates Team New Zealand, is Great Britain's TEAMORIGIN, skippered by four-time Olympic medalist Ben Ainslie.

Four new teams are coming, all with familiar faces and powerful credentials.  All four teams made their debuts in Nice. The French ALEPH Sailing Team is skippered by Bertrand Pacé. All4One is a combined French/German team with skipper Jochen Schümann. Artemis, from Sweden, has Paul Cayard as skipper. Russia's Synergy Russian Sailing Team is skippered by Karol Jablonski.

The two Cup boats will dock in the heart of the Viaduct Basin on the quayside adjacent to Aucklanders' favourite restaurants and wine bars, providing an unprecedented opportunity for spectators to view boat preparation and the departures and arrivals of the teams each day.  

Racing starts Tuesday, 9th March. Teams will take turns racing the two boats in four matches a day to complete a round robin seeding series before a ladder elimination culminating in the finals on Sunday, 21st March.

This week it was the turn of Mascalzone Latino AUDI Team (brand new Challenger of Record for the 34th America's Cup), Azzurra and ALL4One to sharpen their skills in Valencia in view of next month's Louis Vuitton regatta in Auckland. It has been a bumpy seek overall, with a couple of excellent days but also a few awful ones with either too much or too little breeze.

Azzurra’s skipper Bruni was satisfied with the week’s work: “It has been a challenging week, particularly due to the weather conditions. The team did a great job and the group is working even better together than before. We would have liked to have seen more stable conditions with more wind but nevertheless it has been a great opportunity to try different maneouvres. We were able to do a few training races against Mascalzone Latino and ALL4ONE and we are looking towards the next regattas in Auckland – the World Match Racing Tour and the Louis Vuitton Trophy – with confidence.”

Unfortunately, the closing session of this training week between Azzurra and ALL4ONE got underway under very light conditions, with an easterly breeze that barely passed 6-7 knots, and finished under heavy rain. The two teams practiced together a number of prestarts as well as a handful of windward/leeward races.

The teams are now on their way to Auckland (New Zealand) where the next Louis Vuitton Trophy will take place.

Sources : valenciasailing.com, azzura.it

When Louis Vuitton and the World Sailing Teams Association (WSTA) conceived the Louis Vuitton Trophy regattas they were designed to take the best sailing teams in the world sailing some of the largest and most impressive racing yachts to some of the most spectacular parts of the world and compete at the highest level in the discipline of match racing. One of the other objectives was to bring the action as close to spectators as possible, not just through media and TV but also physically close to where people are.

Organised in conjunction with the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (RHKYC), a sailing and rowing club with over 160 years of history and one of the world’s most active sailing institutions today, the Louis Vuitton Trophy Hong Kong regatta will mark the culmination of a huge amount of work done by the club’s members and staff.  The best sailing teams in the world representing 8 to 10 nations will be competing in this event.  This sailing activity will see 7 days of pre-regatta training and 14 days of competition before the winner is known.  

RHKYC Commodore Warwick Downes commented: “The Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club will have the very great honour of hosting Asia’s first Louis Vuitton Trophy. This event, one of the pinnacles on the yachting calendar, will demonstrate that Hong Kong is an ideal venue for major international sailing events.  The Louis Vuitton Trophy Hong Kong will not only benefit the sailing community here but will also deliver a positive economic impact to Hong Kong.  With these boats and our spectacular harbour beamed around the world daily for the two weeks of racing, I can’t think of a better way to showcase Brand Hong Kong internationally.”

The Louis Vuitton Trophy race course will be set on the stretch of water just to the South of the now disused legendary Kai Tak Airport and the Race Village, itself a major attraction, is planned for Pier 10 alongside the terminal of the iconic Star Ferry.

The prevailing winds in Victoria Harbour are from the East at between 12 to 15 knots  in January and given the geography of the harbour it will be possible for sailing fans and curious passers by to witness the spectacle from numerous vantage points along the harbour, as the yachts approach both shores on their way around the course, without needing to get afloat.

For those unable to be on the Hong Kong waterfront in person the Louis Vuitton Trophy hybrid TV and Virtual video feed will allow race fans around the world to witness the sporting action in this amazing natural amphitheatre.

Karl Kwok, the President of the Hong Kong Sailing Federation and one of Asia’s better-known international sailors had this to say: “Besides the economic benefits this event will bring to Hong Kong the experiences and actions of the high caliber sailors competing here will more than inspire our local sailing community and fans helping to position the city on the world sailing map. And on behalf of that community I would like to sincerely thank the HKSAR Government for their endorsement and assistance in bringing this event to fruition and I wish the regatta great success.”


World Sailing Teams Association (WSTA)
World Sailing Teams Association (WSTA) was founded in 2009 by a group of professional yacht racing teams to develop competitive racing events. The WSTA is jointly owned by its preferred shareholders and represents the interests of the teams for fair and highly-competitive racing. The WSTA, in conjunction with title partner Louis Vuitton, co-organizes the Louis Vuitton Trophy.

About Louis Vuitton
The world leader in luxury, Louis Vuitton has been synonymous with the art of stylish travel since 1854. Since 1987, it has been part of LVMH/Moët Hennessy - Louis Vuitton, the world's most prestigious luxury goods group headed by Bernard Arnault. Since 1997, with the arrival of the designer Marc Jacobs, it has extended its expertise to women's and men's ready-to-wear, shoes, watches and jewellery, glasses, combining traditional craftsmanship with flair and innovation to create a complete lifestyle experience. Today, Louis Vuitton has an exclusive network of stores all across the world.


About Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (RHKYC)
Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (RHKYC) is one of the oldest sports clubs in Hong Kong and is proud of its rich, colourful history, which stretches back over 160 years of social and competitive sailing and rowing.  RHKYC provides sailing courses for members and non-members at various levels to nurture the development of sailing.

Just over a year ago the inaugural regatta was sailed in Auckland, the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series. Ten of the best sailing teams in the world, including the current Challenger and Defender of the America’s Cup, competed over two weeks in a match race regatta in two pairs of supplied boats. The boats used were ACC yachts from the 2007 America’s Cup and all teams rotated through the four boats.

The formula was renewed at the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice regatta in November last year, a regatta whose provisional media return resulted in a value of over nine million Euros gathered from over 1200 articles, 354 hours of TV on 400 channels in 163 countries. The next regatta will be the Louis Vuitton Trophy Auckland from 9 – 21 March 2010.

Following the success of last year’s antipodean regatta the event organisers, the World Sailing Teams Association (WSTA), along with the city of Auckland decided to adjust the dates to enhance the public spectacle. The regatta, which runs from 9-21 March, will be staged from the same venue and at the same time as the Auckland International Boatshow (10-14 March) in Auckland’s Downtown Viaduct Basin, the venue for the America’s Cup in 2000 and 2003.

The WSTA member teams entered for the Louis Vuitton Trophy Auckland regatta are from seven countries. Unlike last year, the host Emirates Team New Zealand, skippered by Dean Barker, will not get an automatic pass to the regatta finals, but will have to earn the right to be there by passing through the round robin and semi final stages with a winning record. The seven other teams hoping to also make it to the finals and ultimately prevail are:

Aleph                (France, skipper Bertrand Pacé)
All4One             (France/Germany, skipper Jochen Schumann)
Artemis             (Sweden, skipper Paul Cayard)
Azzurra             (Italy, skipper Francesco Bruni)
Mascalzone Latino Audi     (Italy)
Synergy             (Russia, skipper Karol Jablonski)
TEAMORIGIN         (Great Britain, skipper Ben Ainslie)     

Following the Louis Vuitton Trophy Auckland regatta the WSTA’s member teams will race in La Maddalena, Sardinia (22 May – 6 June), then in Dubai, UAE (13 – 27 November) before Hong Kong in early 2011 (9 – 24 January).

The Louis Vuitton Trophy is one of the most coveted events in sailing and Dubai joins established premier regatta venues, including Auckland, Sardinia and Hong Kong as 2010 hosts.

Paul Cayard, Chairman of the World Sailing Team Association and skipper/strategist of Team Artemis, said: "I have been sailing in Dubai on several occasions. The conditions are ideal, the course is next to the shore and the atmosphere is exciting. DIMC is a fantastic host and I am sure our event here will open many eyes to this fantastic racing venue."

Saeed Harib, President of the UAE Marine Sports Federation and CEO of DIMC, which will host the race, is delighted to be helping the growth of the sport in the region.


"Dubai was host to the Emirates Team New Zealand Pro Am Series in 2006 and Alinghi and Victory Challenge boats during the winter of 2007," said Harib.  


"With the Louis Vuitton Trophy, DIMC and our partners Emirates Airline are continuing that relationship and in doing so creating a new platform for the development of modern sailing in the region."

Yves Carcelle, Chairman and CEO of Louis Vuitton, said: "Louis Vuitton has been present in Dubai for more than 10 years. In 2010, we are thrilled to maintain this relationship through a great sailing event, while reinforcing the age-long Dubai tradition for regattas."

The Louis Vuitton Trophy – which is split into two five-day rounds, followed by semi-finals and the finals run over two days each - will mark the start of the Sea Dubai Watersports Festival, under the patronage of HH Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The festival – now in its third year - will feature: the Dubai Shamaal World Surf Ski Championship; Oakley Riot World Wakeboard Tournament; UAE National Day Watersports Parade; Mina Mile Swimming Competition; Open Water Swim; Jet Ski Competition; Traditional 43ft Dhow Sailing Championship; and finishes on 11th December with the final round of the Class One World and XCat Powerboat World Championships.

The Trophy will be held at Mina Seyahi, the home of Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) next to the Palm Jumeirah, while Emirates Airline – a leading sponsor - will be flying in many of teams and their armies of support staff, as well as race officials and spectators from around the globe.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman DIMC, and Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group, said: "This is a real coup for Dubai. We are honoured to be part of this fantastic event which has rapidly emerged as a renowned spectacle of sport followed by millions around the world".

"As well as thrilling spectators both here and on TV, it will consolidate Dubai’s status as a venue capable of hosting major international sporting events. Emirates has a great affinity with sailing and it is exciting to be strengthening our commitment to the sport further by supporting a race which will bring the world’s finest sailors to Dubai".

The event  that will feature on-shore entertainment and a host of other activities - is also expected to put wind in the sails of the UAE tourism industry.

Businesses throughout the UAE are expected to benefit after the organisers of the 2009 Louis Vuitton Pacific Series reported that the 14-day festival injected US$12 million (Dhs 44 million) into the Auckland economy.

The World Sailing Teams Association (WSTA) and Louis Vuitton today announced more Louis Vuitton Trophy regattas for 2010 and early 2011. These new international events follow the successful regatta held in Nice, France, last month.

Each Louis Vuitton Trophy regatta is a stand-alone regatta sailed in event-supplied 85-foot long AC Class yachts that require a crew of 17 top sailors to sail. The regatta concept is designed to transform a port venue, regardless of its previous sailing culture, into the capital of professional yacht racing for two weeks, along with all the associated activities and excitement, on and off the water.

The concept of the Louis Vuitton Trophy regattas was inspired by the acclaimed Louis Vuitton Pacific Series raced in Auckland, NZ, last February.

The schedule for the next events covers four distinctly different parts of the world:
 
Louis Vuitton Trophy Auckland: 9 - 21 March 2010
Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena, Sardinia: 22 May - 6 June 2010
Louis Vuitton Trophy Middle East: 13 - 28 November 2010
Louis Vuitton Trophy Hong Kong: 9 - 24 January 2011 (To be confirmed)
 
* The venue in The Middle East is embargoed until January 15th 2010
 
Newly-elected WSTA board Chairman Paul Cayard commented: “The Louis Vuitton Trophy is gaining momentum following the great regattas held in Auckland and Nice in 2009 and I really believe 2010 is going to be an even better year for our teams, their crews and supporters.”

Apart from being a cost-effective way for teams to match race impressively large yachts close to crowds, the Louis Vuitton Trophy regattas also represent one of the most interesting media/marketing opportunities in yacht racing today.

The innovative low-cost solution to live TV and tracking coupled with live expert commentary from on board the yachts pioneered in Nice last November, allows spectators, hospitality guests and sailing fans around the world to watch live races in a hybrid virtual and real video show on internet (louisvuittontrophy.com).

The use of AC Class yachts from the last two America’s Cups now scattered about the world allows the existing boats to be shared regionally without the necessity to constantly ship equipment back and forth; only the crews travel, making for cost- effective and easily organised events.

The Louis Vuitton Trophy Auckland will again bring some of the best racing teams back to ‘’Kiwiland’’. Emirates Team New Zealand managing director Grant Dalton said the team welcomed Louis Vuitton’s return to Auckland: “Last February we tested the concept. Its success far exceeded everyone’s expectations.”
 
“The Louis Vuitton Trophy has emerged from that experiment as a viable, top-level regatta. It’s good for the teams, it’s good for the sport, it’s good for host cities and we’ve given the fans something to watch.”  
 
The caliber of teams competing is second to none. Most sailors are either world champions, Olympic medalists, round-the-world sailors or past America’s Cup players. All teams competing at the Nice regatta came with either America’s Cup experience or future ambitions.

Emirates Team New Zealand has been both Challenger and Defender in the past, BMW ORACLE Racing (USA) is the current Challenger of Record, while other teams such as Azzurra (Italy), TEAMORIGIN (Great Britain), Mascalzone Latino (Italy), Synergy (Russia), All4One (France/Germany), Aleph Sailing Team previously known as Team French Spirit (France), Artemis (Sweden) all have future plans.

The Louis Vuitton Trophy regattas provide an opportunity to compete at the highest level using similar yachts, with only the crew’s sailing ability as the deciding factor. The cost to teams is also a fraction of an America’s Cup or an offshore campaign budget, something that has already attracted several new teams to taste the waters at this level of competition.

Yves Carcelle, Chairman and CEO of Louis Vuitton, is pleased to be associated with the event: “Nice a few weeks ago again proved the viability of the concept, which reflects current concerns: easy, friendly, accessible and environmentally responsible. It is a great way to bring the best teams back on the water.”

Even before the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Côte d’Azur began, Azzurra skipper Francesco Bruni spoke of his passion and honour to be leading an iconic sailing brand back into the fray after a long absence. This afternoon he could barely describe his joy.

Bruni and his Azzurra crew, including tactician Tommaso Chieffi, defeated Emirates Team New Zealand 2-0 in the Grand Final to win this match race regatta.

Azzurra, from the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, made its international sailing debut at the 1983 Louis Vuitton Cup but has been in hiatus since the 1987 event off Western Australia. The team was re-launched last month and today Azzurra won the first race by 25 seconds and the second by 17 for a well-deserved championship.

“It’s an amazing sensation. I can’t find the words to describe it,” said Bruni, the 40-year-old skipper from Sicily. “We knew we could do a good job. We had very good training before the event. But we never thought about beating New Zealand in the final.”

Emirates Team New Zealand entered the final as the favourite. It won the round robin, suffering just one loss in 10 starts, and then defeated the upstart Synergy Russia Sailing Team in a hard-fought semi final match.

Team New Zealand has won many regattas this year, including the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series in February and the TP52 World Championship in September. Today, however, the Kiwis lost the first cross in both races and could never find a way around the Italians on the short courses of less than 5 nautical miles.

“I think we sailed well today but Azzurra was clearly better than us. They did everything right,” said Dean Barker, skipper of Emirates Team New Zealand. “Sometimes that’s just the way it is. You’re either in the right place or you’re not. Today Azzurra sailed very, very well.”

The two races were sailed early in the morning as the race committee was intent on deciding the regatta on the water and not on countback, which might’ve happened if racing couldn’t be conducted. The best winds of this two-week event were often early in the morning, and today the first warning signal was sounded at 0800 CET, one hour earlier than scheduled.

The northwesterly wind blew between 6 and 10 knots for the two races and was very shifty and patchy. Pressure differences often accounted for different sailing angles as 1 or 2 knots more wind can lift a yacht as much as 10 degrees higher than its opponent.

Chieffi, who won the 1992 Louis Vuitton Cup as tactician of Il Moro di Venezia, thought the Kiwis’ success played against them in the final.

“Beating TeamOrigin yesterday was a big plus for us; we’d done our share of work,” said Chieffi. “So we came in with smiley faces today despite the early morning. I could sense the Kiwis were more tense because they were the favourite; they were leading throughout the regatta. This played a role in our favour.”

The winning crew included skipper Bruni and tactician Chieffi, Tom Burnham (strategist), Bruno Zirilli (navigator), Daniele De Luca (mainsail trimmer), Stefano Rizzi (jib trimmer), Pierluigi De Felice (spinnaker trimmer), Gabriele Bruni (trimmer), Piero Romero (runner grinder), Nicola Pilastro (mainsail grinder), Massimo Galli (port grinder), Francesco Scalici (starboard grinder), Cristian Griggio (pitman), Luca Albarelli (mastman), Pietro Mantovani (mid-bow), Matteo Auguadro (bowman) and Michele Cannoni (pit assist).

Despite the win, Azzurra had its mishaps on the racecourse. The skipper and tactician both described three problems in the two races. In Race 1 a helicopter got too low to the water and disrupted the wind flow, reducing a four-boatlength lead to one.

In the second race the crew didn’t judge a bias in the leeward gate. They made a starboard rounding, but the mark was farther downwind and again they gave away three boatlengths.

The biggest mishap came at the top of the second beat in the second race. Approaching the windward mark on starboard tack with Team New Zealand two or three lengths behind, Mantovani, the mid-bowman, slipped overboard while preparing the spinnaker for the rounding. As the yacht sailed past the aft grinder, Romero, ran into the scoop and grabbed him out of the water “like a fish,” according to Bruni.

Chieffi said: “Even with the mishaps, the crew did a solid job to not lose concentration. Yes, we had five-boatlength leads, but one length is enough. The crew did an outstanding job keeping it calm, steady and tidy. We’re very pleased with the result.”

For detailed information about today’s matches please visit the official event Web site, www.LouisVuittonTrophy.com.

Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Cote d’Azur Final Standings

Team (Country) Skipper (Nationality) Won-Lost

1. Azzurra (ITA) Francesco Bruni (ITA), 11-5

2. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) Dean Barker (NZL), 11-4

3. Synergy Russia Sailing Team (RUS) Karol Jablonski (POL), 8-6

4. TeamOrigin (GBR) Ben Ainslie (GBR), 9-6

5. All4One (FRA/GER) Jochen Schumann (GER), 5-8

6. BMW Oracle Racing (USA) Hamish Pepper (NZL), 5-8

7. Artemis (SWE) Paul Cayard (USA), 5-7

8. TFS – PagesJaunes (FRA) Bertrand Pacé (FRA), 1-11

(Note: Won-lost records do not reflect penalties assessed by on-water umpires or the International Jury.)

M1: Azzurra d. Emirates Team New Zealand – Delta: 25 seconds

Azzurra 1, Team New Zealand 0

The first match of the Final of the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Cote d’Azur was a straightforward match race. There wasn’t a lot of boat-on-boat action, but the Azzurra crew deserves credit for sailing a smart race. Skipper Francesco Bruni and crew gained the advantage on the first beat and then covered smartly around the course for the win.

With the course axis set at 340 degrees and the range at 1.2 nautical miles, the course was short and placed a premium on winning the pre-start. But with the wind strength around 7 knots, the pre-start was mostly sedate. Azzurra had the starboard-tack advantage, but the two crews seemed more intent on positioning off the line rather than trying to pin a penalty on their opponent.

Both boats started on starboard with Azzurra at the pin end and Team New Zealand three lengths to windward. Team New Zealand quickly tacked to port off the line. Azzurra tacked to port about a minute into the race and both boats enjoyed a slight left-hand shift. Azzurra enjoyed it more as the Italians won the first cross, on port tack, by a boatlength. Bruni and tactician Tommaso Chieffi crossed to the right and then employed covering tactics. Azzurra led by 14 seconds at the first windward mark.

There wasn’t much difference between the yachts on the run. Azzurra gained nicely when the two crews first jibed to starboard. Then Team New Zealand gained back later on the leg when they both jibed to port. The gains and losses seemed due to how much pressure the crews had during their manoeuvres. Such is match racing in patchy winds. On the crews’ final jibes to starboard for the leeward gate, Azzurra got directly in front of Team New Zealand, which allowed the Italians to begin the second beat with an 18-second advantage.

Azzurra had an initial loss at the bottom of the second beat, but made that back later on the leg once it got into similar pressure as the Kiwis. The Italians gained nicely on the top of the leg when they were able to tack on the Kiwis’ air. Azzurra led by 23 seconds beginning the run to the finish.

Azzurra’s tactician Chieffi made a bold call on the final leg when he gybed his crew to port after the windward mark rounding. They gybed out of a covering position, but seemed to find more wind on the left side (looking upwind) of the course and were making 1.5 knots more boatspeed. When the two yachts converged moments later Azzurra had firm control halfway down the leg. The finish was in sight, and the 1-0 lead was secure.

M2: Azzurra d. Emirates Team New Zealand – Delta: 17 seconds

Azzurra 2, Team New Zealand 0

Azzurra sailed another solid race, winning the first cross and covering around the racecourse to win the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Cote d’Azur 2-0 over Emirates Team New Zealand.

Azzurra entered the pre-start of Race 2 on port tack. In the light, 8-knot winds the sailors consider that a death sentence because it’s hard to escape your opponents’ control. But Azzurra skipper Francesco Bruni was up to the task. With about 2 minutes to the start he’d gone far enough forward on Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker to tack to port and lead the match to the outside of the committee boat. At the start Azzurra tacked to port and headed to the right side of the course while New Zealand took starboard onto the course before tacking to port.

With both boats on port tack Azzurra seemed to foot out to leeward of Emirates Team New Zealand. Azzurra tacked to starboard on the right side and when the two yachts converged about 5 minutes after the start Azzurra crossed so easily that Team New Zealand ducked behind to get to the right and minimize its loss. At the top of the leg Azzurra tacked to port and crossed with a boatlength advantage to round the windward mark 18 seconds in the lead.

The first run became skewed when the wind shifted left and both boats reached on starboard jibe. Azzurra led by 21 seconds at the leeward gate. Up the second beat the Italians protected the left side of the course and halfway up the leg got Team New Zealand pinned to leeward on starboard tack. The two yachts rode out to the port layline in that manner before tacking for the windward mark. Azzurra led by 18 seconds at the second windward mark.

Barker and Team New Zealand attacked on the run to the finish and after one cross halfway down the run appeared to gain the lead on the right side (looking upwind), but when Azzurra jibed back to port and converged with Team New Zealand, on starboard, the lead was back to 50 meters. Azzurra hung on for a 17-second win and won the series, 2-0.

One of sailing’s most revered brands will square off tomorrow against one of its most iconic brands when Emirates Team New Zealand races Azzurra in the Final of the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Côte d’Azur.

The final was scheduled to commence this afternoon, but light winds again frustrated competitors and organizers in their attempt to race. Although the championship was put on hold around 1440 CET, three races were held earlier in the day to wrap up the Semi Final Round and the Petit Final.

Azzurra of Italy advanced to the championship by defeating TeamOrigin of the U.K. in their showdown match. After a close first beat, the Italians luffed the British at the top of the leg to gain an advantage at the first mark.

Yesterday the Italians suffered in the strong winds and big waves. But today skipper Francesco Bruni and crew revelled in the 8-knot winds and won by 29 seconds.

“I think that we, as Italians, are used to sailing in lighter wind. We all know that,” said Bruni. “I think that we were driving the boat fast today as trimmer and skipper. Also the acceleration on the start line and how the boat reacts in turns, we’re just more confident in those conditions.”

Emirates Team New Zealand then took to the racecourse and booked its place in the final by defeating the pesky Synergy Russia Sailing Team.

Team New Zealand and Synergy had sailed three ding-dong battles, highlighted by yesterday’s second race when each team was penalised 1 point by a combination of the on-water umpires and International Jury. But this morning’s anticipated showdown proved to be more of a let down.

In a fashion similar to the day’s first match, the crews were evenly matched on the first leg. With both yachts on port tack and Team New Zealand to leeward, skipper Dean Barker, reigning champion of the Louis Vuitton Cup, luffed Synergy near the first mark.

During the incident the on-water umpires penalized the Russian-flagged yacht and Team New Zealand opened an advantage it wouldn’t relinquish. The Kiwis won by 4 minutes although the delta became skewed as Synergy completed a penalty turn on the finish line in light winds.

“We sort of parked it up and they didn’t give us enough room when we bore away,” said Barker of the incident at the windward mark. “It’s tough as the windward boat because you’re trying to not lose the race at that point. It was close through the manoeuvre. I don’t know if there was contact, I couldn’t see, but it was nothing like yesterday.”

After a break for lunch the four crews returned to the water to resume racing, but the Petit Final between Synergy and TeamOrigin was the only match sailed in winds between 4 and 6 knots. After trailing by 22 seconds at the first mark, Synergy scored a comeback win when it overtook the British on the first downwind leg.

“Not making the final is very disappointing,” said TeamOrigin General Manager Mike Sanderson, a past round-the-world race winner. “We put a lot more effort into this regatta than we did Auckland. We were here to win and to win it you need to get to final. I’d be lying if I said not making the final was a big disappointment.”

Racing tomorrow is scheduled to begin early with the warning signal slated for 0800 CET.

For detailed information about today’s matches please visit the official event Web site, www.LouisVuittonTrophy.com.

The final of the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Côte d’Azur sees Emirates Team New Zealand racing Azzurra.

The pair has raced before only once in this regatta and Team New Zealand scored a 35-second win on 10 Nov. Team New Zealand comes into the round with an 11-2 record on the water and Azzurra at 9-5.

Like the semis the winner will be the first to score 2 points (barring penalties and jury decisions). In the first match Azzurra enters the start box on starboard tack and aboard ITA-99. Team New Zealand will sail ITA-90.

“Azzurra’s sailing really well,” said Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker. “They’re fast, they’re starting well. They get in front and don’t give many opportunities.”

Azzurra skipper Francesco Bruni likes the calmer conditions expected this afternoon, in contrast to yesterday’s strong winds and big waves.

“I think that we, as Italians, are used to sailing in lighter wind. We all know that,” said Bruni. “I think that we were driving the boat fast today as trimmer and skipper. Also the acceleration on the start line and how the boat reacts in turns, we’re just more confident in those conditions.”

The first race of the Final will be held this afternoon. Subsequent races are scheduled for tomorrow. A warning signal isn’t expected before 1300 CET.

The Petite Final between TeamOrigin and Synergy will be the first start this afternoon. It’ll be a one race match with the winner placing third and the vanquished finishing fourth.

“Not making the final is very disappointing,” said TeamOrigin General Manager Mike Sanderson. “We put a lot more effort into this regatta than we did Auckland. We were here to win and to win it you need to get to final. I’d be lying if I said not making the final was a big disappointment.”

In an interesting development, TeamOrigin chose to race FRA-93 in this match as opposed to its own GBR-75. Synergy skipper Karol Jablonski thinks he knows why.

“We’re looking forward to the last race in this very, very good event for us. We’ll see what we get out of it,” said Jablonski. “For sure 93 is faster in light wind. That’s why Origin chose this boat. Normally they would choose their own boat. Obviously, they know 93 is much faster. So we’ll have a tough time out there. In flat water and 7 knots, 93 is much, much faster.”

Semi Final Pair A

Emirates Team New Zealand d. Synergy Russia Sailing Team – Delta: 4:00

Team New Zealand 1, Synergy 0

Emirates Team New Zealand will meet Azzurra in the final of the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Côte d’Azur. The Kiwis advance after finally swatting away their nemesis, Synergy. The crews have sailed some thrilling matches in this regatta, but today’s heat was rather anti-climatic. After the first beat, anyway.

Team New Zealand started to the right to gain the starboard tack advantage. The Kiwis used it to leebow Synergy twice. On the third meeting Synergy was able to live on the windward quarter of their rival, much like in the first match between Azzurra and TeamOrigin.

In this match, however, Team New Zealand played the role of Azzurra and luffed from leeward. Both boats were on port tack and Synergy was obliged to keep clear. The on-water umpires deemed that Synergy did not keep clear and penalized the team.

Team New Zealand extended its lead around the course in the fading winds. The final delta was skewed in Team New Zealand’s favour because Synergy had to perform the 270-degree penalty turn on the finish line in the light winds.

The race committee hopes to start the Final this afternoon, but the morning wind has died and now it’s a matter of waiting for the afternoon seabreeze.

Semi Final Pair B

Azzurra d. TeamOrigin – Delta: 29 seconds

Azzurra 2, TeamOrigin 1

Yesterday Azzurra skipper Francesco Bruni said he wasn’t ready for the strong winds and big waves and got dominated in the pre-start of his race against TeamOrigin. Today, Bruni was much more at home in the 10-knot northerly and flat water, and led his team to the final of the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Cote d’Azur with a 29-second victory over TeamOrigin. Azzurra wins the match, 2-1.

The pre-start of this match was docile compared to yesterday, when TeamOrigin’s Ben Ainslie gained two penalties on Bruni. The Italian said things snowballed out of control after the first penalty for jibing too close. Today, however, Bruni and Ainslie hardly mixed it up as both looked for positioning on the line.

The pair entered the course on starboard tack with TeamOrigin to windward of Azzurra. The match was close up the first beat, with Azzurra placing three leebow tacks on TeamOrigin, just keeping its bow ahead. On the third leebow Ainslie was able to live on Bruni’s windward quarter, but Bruni used his position to luff Ainslie. The two yachts were nearly stopped in the water when Bruni pulled his bow down and gained speed. He tacked to port and led by 18 seconds at the windward mark. From there, the race was all Bruni’s as he and tactician Tommaso Chieffi covered and extended the rest of the way for the final delta.

The Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Côte d’Azur is down to the nitty gritty. The bottom half of the leaderboard is decided. Only the top four remain.

One race remains in each Semi Final match, both of which are tied. TeamOrigin and Azzurra are 1-1. Emirates Team New Zealand and Synergy Russia Sailing Team are tied 1-1 on the water, but 0-0 on the scoreboard. A combination of the on-water umpires and International Jury took 1 point away from each team yesterday for a collision at the finish of their second race.

Both matches have one race left, and the winners advance to the final. Today’s racing is scheduled to begin with a warning signal at 0830 CET. The TeamOrigin-Azzurra match is first up. Azzurra will enter the start box on starboard tack aboard ITA-99. TeamOrigin comes in on port aboard ITA-90.

The Emirates Team New Zealand-Synergy match has been nothing short of entertaining. Through the regatta these crews have sailed three times. Team New Zealand leads 2-1. This race is scheduled to follow immediately after the TeamOrigin-Azzurra match, but there’s a concern about wind strength. The morning offshore flow is blowing between 7 and 10 knots today, but how long it lasts is the concern. The race committee has already announced that no warning signal for the semi finals will be made after 1100 CET. If this deciding match isn’t sailed, the tiebreaker would go to Team New Zealand based on the round robin standings.

The International Jury for the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Côte d’Azur has penalised Synergy Russia Sailing Team a half point for a collision with Emirates Team New Zealand at the finish of their second Semi Final race earlier today.

In the second race Emirates Team New Zealand had been penalised in the pre-start for gybing too close. The crew carried that penalty around the course. Approaching the finish, Team New Zealand was trying to either complete the 270-degree penalty turn or offset it with a penalty on Synergy when the pair wound up outside the committee boat end of the finish line.

Both crews had their genoas hoisted trying to get upwind and over the top of the committee boat, but Team New Zealand got close to the committee boat. The New Zealand crew tacked to port and hailed for water, calling the committee boat an obstruction.

Both boats were downspeed in the sloppy seaway and they collided, Synergy’s port side hitting Team New Zealand’s starboard side.

After the match the on-water umpires penalised Emirates Team New Zealand 1 point and Synergy a half point for the beam-on-beam collision that caused some damage to the 24-tonne yachts.

In a later protest hearing the International jury found that there was a hard collision between Team New Zealand and Synergy. The jury deemed that when Synergy, the starboard-tack yacht, became the right-of-way boat it altered course down towards Team New Zealand and didn’t do enough to keep clear.

“That change of course was an infringement of Rule 14 (Avoiding Contact), so we deducted a half point for that,” said Chief Umpire Bill Edgerton. “In the end we penalised Team new Zealand 1 point and Synergy a half point for the rule to make sure the crews don’t do massive damage. Then we deducted a second half point from Synergy for not doing everything to keep clear.”

Although the teams have each won a race in their match the score is now 0-0, setting up a one race, winner-take-all match tomorrow morning.

Racing is scheduled to resume tomorrow morning with a warning signal set for 0830 CET. The first race will be between TeamOrigin and Azzurra with the Emirates Team New Zealand-Synergy to follow.

For detailed information about today’s matches please visit the official event Web site, www.LouisVuittonTrophy.com.

Semi Final standings

M1: Emirates Team New Zealand 0, Synergy Russia Sailing Team 0

M2: Azzurra 1, TeamOrigin 1

Knockout Round standings

5th: All4One

6th: BMW Oracle Racing

7th: Artemis

8th: TFS – PagesJaunes

Emirates Team New Zealand has been the strongest team at the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Côte d’Azur. Synergy Russia Sailing Team has been the most surprising. Those forces collided today in the Semi Final Round of the regatta, and tonight the two teams are in the protest room trying to resolve an incident at the finish of their second race.

Team New Zealand won a thrilling first race by 20 seconds. The heat featured three lead changes and the Kiwis won after gaining control in a luffing match with the finish line about 10 lengths away.

“It was all on, a very close race,” said Team New Zealand tactician Ray Davies. “It was pretty tense onboard. You have to expect close races in this round. We’re down to the best teams and you have to expect close, ding-dong races otherwise they wouldn’t be worth winning.”

In the second race Team New Zealand was penalised in the pre-start for gybing too close. The Kiwis controlled the race around the track, but couldn’t get enough separation to perform the 270-degree penalty turn and convert the win.

A collision occurred when the pair was outside the committee boat end of the finish line. According to Synergy skipper Karol Jablonski, Team New Zealand called for water to clear the boat end. Jablonski said he responded to the call, but the yachts were downspeed and he had little steerage. The two 24-tonne yachts collided beam-on-beam and suffered some damage.

Although Synergy won the match on the water to even the score at 1-1, the protest was still hanging in the balance. A ruling was expected later tonight.

This regatta has suffered through starts and stops the past two weeks due to light winds. But that was all in distant memory today as the conditions on the Baie des Anges kicked up and added a compelling measure to the racing. Five penalties were issued and two teams were OCS as the conditions put a premium on boathandling.

After the morning offshore flow died, the wind shifted to the east and built to 15 knots, with gusts up to 18 knots. There was also a large seaway running as the winds offshore were blowing up to 25 knots.

TeamOrigin of Great Britain evened its match with Azzurra of Italy at 1-1. British skipper Ben Ainslie gained two penalties on his Italian counterpart, Francesco Bruni, in the 5-minute pre-start sequence. Bruni then misjudged his time and distance to the start line. After re-starting Azzurra was well behind TeamOrigin, which won the race by 2 minutes, 29 seconds.

“It was great to finally race in some wind and waves,” said Ainslie. “It was a ‘must win’ race for us and the guys did a great job all the way around. We have a long way to go yet in this competition, being first on tomorrow.”

“For sure today was harder for the crew, for everybody,” said Bruni. “To go from 15 days of very, very light wind and flat water to these conditions, to switch is hardest for me. I wasn’t as ready as Ben. I think he did a good job.”

In Knockout Round racing, the combined French/German team All4One placed fifth after winning two races. All4One earned a well-deserved win against Artemis by 27 seconds in its first race, and then met BMW Oracle Racing for 5th and 6th places. BMW Oracle had defeated TFS – PagesJaunes in its first race.

BMW Oracle controlled the match early, but made an unforced error at the windward mark. Approaching the first mark on starboard with All4One on its stern, BMW Oracle helmsman Gavin Brady tacked to port to round the mark. But All4One had to bear away to avoid hitting BMW Oracle, and the on-water umpires issued a red flag penalty.

BMW Oracle had to perform its penalty immediately on the run, and when it did so All4One sailed into a commanding lead. All4One won the match by 1 minute, 23 seconds to place 5th and drop BMW Oracle to 6th.

“This morning we had nothing to lose,” said All4One helmsman Sebastien Col. “We had the best conditions we could dream of for Nice. We were really waiting for these conditions because I think we have a strong team that can handle the boat well in a breeze. We started the regatta slowly and had some tough moments, but we are happy to finish well. It’s good for the team.”

Artemis of Sweden placed 7th on countback, and TFS – PagesJaunes finished 8th.

Racing is scheduled to resume tomorrow morning with a warning signal set for 0830 CET. The first race will be between TeamOrigin and Azzurra.

Semi Final standings

M1: Emirates Team New Zealand 1, Synergy Russia Sailing Team 1 (protest pending)

M2: Azzurra 1, TeamOrigin 1

Knockout Round standings

5th: All4One

6th: BMW Oracle Racing

7th: Artemis

8th: TFS – PagesJaunes

Semi Final Pair A

R1: Emirates Team New Zealand d. Synergy Russia Sailing Team – Delta: 20 seconds

Emirates Team New Zealand has been the strongest team at the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Côte d’Azur. Synergy Russia Sailing Team has been the most surprising. Those forces collided in the best match of the regatta, with Team New Zealand winning a hard fought match that was much closer than the delta indicates.

This match featured three lead changes and the Kiwis won it by getting the lead in the last quarter of the run to the finish. Synergy led at the first windward mark and leeward gate. Team New Zealand overtook on the second upwind leg by being to the left in a left-hand shift. Synergy was 15 seconds behind at the second windward mark when it gybe-set to starboard. Team New Zealand covered but Synergy was in a heading puff and rolled over the top and back into the lead.

The Kiwis gybed away to port and when the two boats converged again in a port-starboard situation, Synergy had to gybe to port to avoid fouling the Kiwis. The Synergy crew couldn’t quite pull off a clean gybe, and Team New Zealand luffed. Synergy had to press up hard on starboard to keep clear as windward yacht, and Team New Zealand bore away to a controlling leeward position. The crews had one last gybe to port, but Team New Zealand had control and scored the win.

Team New Zealand leads the best-of-three match 1-0.

R2: Synergy Russia Sailing Team d. Emirates Team New Zealand – Delta: 50 seconds

While it may not seem it on paper, this pair is incredibly even on the water. They’ve now completed three races and all have been decided within sight of the finish line. Synergy evened the match at 1-1 with a win on the finish line while Team New Zealand was stuck trying to complete a penalty turn.

Team New Zealand was penalised in the pre-start for jibing too close. The Kiwis led this match around the course, but couldn’t pull far enough ahead to complete the 270-degree penalty turn and clear the finish line in the lead. The two crews raised their genoas and lowered the spinnakers as they got into the final quarter of the run to the finish. The pair wound up outside the committee boat end and to leeward as Team New Zealand was looking for an opportunity to complete its penalty or offset it on the Russian crew. But Synergy stayed clear through all the manoeuvring. In fact, Team New Zealand was assessed a second penalty for causing a collision.

Semi Final Match B

R2: TeamOrigin d. Azzurra – Delta: 2:29

TeamOrigin evened its semi final match against Azzurra at 1-1 with a dominating performance. British skipper Ben Ainslie cleaned out Azzurra at the start, pushing the Italians over the line early at the boat end and gaining two penalties on them. Azzurra had to circle around the committee boat end to re-start and then had to perform one 270-degree penalty turn after entering the racecourse. By that time TeamOrigin was upwards of 10 boatlengths ahead. TeamOrigin led by 59 seconds at the first mark and never was threatened the rest of the way.

Knockout Pair A

BMW Oracle Racing d. TFS – PagesJaunes – Delta: 1:06

BMW Oracle Racing won this match in the pre-start. Entering on the favoured starboard tack, helmsman Gavin Brady dialled-up his counterpart on TFS – PagesJaunes, Bertrand Pace, and held him head-to-win for nearly the entire 5-minute period. With about 30 seconds to go and both boats well over the start line, Brady was able to spin his bow behind TFS and head back to the line. Brady got below the start line before the gun and had a clean start while Pace was left one length to windward of the line. It was a full 30 seconds before Pace was able to get behind the line and start properly. BMW Oracle Racing led by 55 seconds at the first windward mark and was never really threatened.

BMW Oracle Racing advances to the match for 5th and 6th place against either the winner of Knockout Pair B, Artemis or All4One. TFS – PagesJaunes moves onto the match for 7th and 8th versus the loser of the pair B match.

Knockout Pair B

All4One d. Artemis – Delta: 27 seconds

All4One, the host team at the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Côte d’Azur, has advanced to the match for 5th and 6th place against BMW Oracle Racing after beating Artemis in their one race sail-off. All4One started on port tack at the boat end of the start line and took the right side of the racecourse. The two yachts slammed through the big seaway as they beat upwind on starboard tack, separated by a few lengths. All4One was to windward, however, and led by 7 seconds at the first mark. The combined French/German team extended that lead to 30 seconds at the leeward gate and then applied covering tactics on the rough conditions for the well-earned win.

The race committee hopes to sail the race for 5th and 6th this afternoon.

Italy’s Azzurra opened the Semi Final Round of the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Côte d’Azur with a solid win, but the second Semi Final match between Emirates Team New Zealand and Synergy Russia Sailing team was postponed until tomorrow due to light winds.

Today’s lone match began in winds between 8 and 10 knots from the north, but the velocity dropped to between 4 and 5 knots at the finish of the short, 5.2-nautical-mile race.

“We were hoping to get more racing completed but there just wasn’t enough velocity,” said Principal Race Officer Peter Reggio. “The direction was consistent enough from the east, but the strength was between 3 and 5 knots. The boats might’ve been able to sail upwind in that, but they’d never make it downwind in the sloppy seaway.”

Reggio stressed the importance of having steady conditions because of the nature of the semi finals. The first crew to score 2 points wins each series.

“We don’t want these series becoming sudden death,” Reggio said.

The postponement also affected the Knockout Round matches for 5th through 8th places. The pairings – BMW Oracle Racing versus TFS – PagesJaunes and Artemis against All4One – are setback a day.

In the Azzura-TeamOrigin race skipper Francesco Bruni led his crew to a decisive victory of 1 minute, 34 seconds. The Italians played the right side of the racecourse and snuck inside the British crew at the windward mark to gain the advantage.

Azzurra held the early lead on the first leg when it tacked to starboard well above the layline to the windward mark. The British tacked to leeward and outside the Italians and made gains in a right-hand shift.

TeamOrigin skipper Ben Ainslie tried to shoot the windward mark, luffing directly into the wind, but Bruni got a late overlap and the British had to bear away and let the Italians round the mark first. The British thought they’d closed the door on the Italians.

“We felt we were safely clear ahead when we entered the circle but that was not to be their (the umpires’) decision and so we trailed into the first mark,” said TeamOrigin General Manager Mike Sanderson. “Azzurra did a lovely job thereafter of protecting their lead to take the win. At the end of the day, to win the semis, one team still has to win two races we just used our ‘get out of jail free card’ a bit earlier than we had hoped.”

The Azzurra crew led by 9 seconds at the first mark and 27 seconds at the leeward gate. The Italians protected the right side on the next upwind leg and increased their margin to 1:16 as the wind started to fade.

“It was a very important race for us and now I’m more confident on the starting line,” said Bruni, the skipper from Sicily. “During the pre-start we fought for the right and won it. We made a mistake on the first layline (by overstanding), but (tactician) Tommaso Chieffi did a good job calling the wind shifts and we regained our lead.”

Tomorrow the first warning signal has been moved up a half hour to 0830 CET. The race committee plans to start the BMW Oracle-TFS – PagesJaunes match first, followed by Emirates Team New Zealand-Synergy Russia Sailing Team and then Artemis-All4One. Additional racing is planned but will be dependent on the weather.

Semi Final standings

M1: Azzurra 1, TeamOrigin 0

M2: Emirates Team New Zealand 0, Synergy Russia Sailing Team 0

Knockout Round standings

M1: BMW Oracle Racing 0, TFS – PagesJaunes 0

M2: Artemis 0, All4One 0

SF M1: Azzurra d. TeamOrigin – Delta: 1:34

Series: Azzurra 1, TeamOrigin 0

Skipper Francesco Bruni and his Italian crew played the right side of the course on the first upwind leg and led by 9 seconds at the windward mark. They took port tack off the start line towards the right, looking for the right-hand shift. But the Italians seemed to sail too far past the starboard layline and TeamOrigin was in the match at the first mark. Ben Ainslie’s British crew tacked to starboard to leeward of Azzurra, separated by a few hundred metres, but got lifted up to the mark. TeamOrigin’s big opportunity was to shoot the windward mark on starboard, but Azzurra was to windward and inside and rounded with the slight lead. From there the Italians did a wonderful job on the run to soak to leeward while TeamOrigin pressed its angle a little hotter. Azzurra increased its lead to 27 seconds at the leeward gate, and then protected the right side of the second upwind leg to increase its lead to 1:16 beginning the run to the finish. The wind died throughout this match, from a high of 9 knots to less than 5 at the finish.

The next scheduled race features TFS – PagesJaunes versus BMW Oracle Racing in the top half of the Knockout Round.

There’s a strong offshore flow this morning blowing across the Baie des Anges and racing should be as scheduled with the warning signal set for 0900 CET.

The first race has TeamOrigin taking on Azzurra in Semi Final Match 1. That race is followed by TFS – PagesJaunes versus BMW Oracle Racing in Knockout Round Match 1.

Semi Final Match 2 pits Synergy Russian Sailing Team against Emirates Team New Zealand in the third race of the day. The fourth race is between the other Knockout Round pair, Artemis and All4One.

The winners of the semi final matches are the first to 2 points and advance to the championship round of the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Côte d’Azur.

The knock out matches are one race each, with the winners advancing to a race for fifth and sixth place and the vanquished racing for seventh and eighth place.

The rounds robin have concluded at the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Côte d’Azur. Today is a lay day and tomorrow the racing is scheduled to resume.

The four yachts are sitting in their cradles and undergoing maintenance. The winds might’ve been light the past 10 days, but the carbon-fibre sloops require constant upkeep as these yachts are at least 2 years old and have largely been sitting idle since mid-2007. In fact, GBR-75 was built for the 2003 Louis Vuitton Cup in New Zealand.

The crews are also undergoing a little maintenance in the form of R&R. Racing began on 7 November and the interruptions caused by light air wear on the sailors’ minds. Time away from the yachts is welcome.

So as the regatta takes a day off, take a tour of our Web site that is rich with multimedia content and features of many personalities involved with the event.

Visit the Virtual Eye section under Gallery to watch animated replays of the races.

The video gallery features the daily highlights packages.

The photo gallery includes stunning images from event photographers Bob Grieser, Franck Socha and Paul Todd.

There are also audio clips from various crewmembers in English, French, German and Italian.

Finally, for those who still enjoy the written word, the feature section includes profiles of people like Bruno Troublé, a founder of the Louis Vuitton Cup, Bob Grieser, a long-time Cup photographer, chief umpire Bill Edgerton, Emirates Team New Zealand meteorologist Roger “Clouds” Badham, Principal Race Officer Peter "Luigi" Reggio and the onboard observers, also know as match race policewomen.

Racing is scheduled to resume tomorrow with a warning signal scheduled for 0900, weather permitting.

Semi final round

M1: TeamOrigin vs. Azzurra

M2: Synergy Russia Sailing Team vs. Emirates Team New Zeland

(Winners are first to 2 points and race for championship, vanquished race for 3rd)

5th – 8th knockout round

M1: TFS – PagesJaunes vs. BMW Oracle Racing

M2: Artemis vs. All4One

(Winners are first to 1 point and race for 5th place, vanquished race for 7th)

Final Round Robin standings

1. Emirates Team New Zealand (9-1) 6 points

2. Synergy Russia Sailing Team (6-4) 4.5 points

3. Azzurra (7-4) 4.5 points

4. TeamOrigin (8-3) 4.5 points

5. BMW Oracle Racing (4-7) 3 points

6. Artemis (5-6) 3 points

7. All4One (3-8) 2 points

8. TFS – PagesJaunes (1-10) .5 points

Emirates Team New Zealand has selected Synergy Russia Sailing Team to race in the semi final round of the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Côte d’Azur.

Team New Zealand and skipper Dean Barker were the best team in the rounds robin, posting a 9-1 record in 10 starts. They consistently won in the pre-start and had flawless crew work around the racecourse.

“We’re a consistent team because we’ve been together so long as a group. That helps us through the tough times,” said Barker, the winning skipper of the 2007 Louis Vuitton Cup.

The Kiwis, however, picked the hottest team at the regatta. Synergy, led by Polish skipper Karol Jablonski, enters the match on a five-race winning streak and has polished its game since starting the regatta at 0-3.

“It’s hard when you get to this stage of the regatta. All the teams are strong,” Barker said. “They won’t be an easy opponent and if we don’t sail well they’ll beat us.”

The second semi final match has TeamOrigin from Great Britain racing Azzurra of Italy. Azzurra skipper Francesco Bruni led his crew to a 1 minute defeat of Ben Ainslie and TeamOrigin in the first round.

The first crew to score 2 points will be the winner of each match.

Concurrent to the semi finals is knockout racing for 5th through 8th place. BMW Oracle Racing takes on TFS – PagesJaunes in one match and Artemis races All4One in the other.

Both matches are one race with the winners advancing to determine 5th and 6th, while the vanquished sail a one race match for 7th and 8th.

Tomorrow is an off day and racing is scheduled to resume Thursday, 19 November.

Today’s anticipated final match between Team New Zealand and Synergy was cancelled in the afternoon when sufficient wind failed to materialise on the Baie des Anges.

The cancellation of the match caused a re-scoring of the leaderboard based on Appendix C10.3 of the Racing Rules of Sailing, which awards partial points for those matches sailed twice.

“The ranking was established in a way we were hoping to avoid,” said Chief Umpire Bill Edgerton. “There’s no difference between the top four and bottom four, but there is a difference in their order.”

The final order placed Team New Zealand first followed by Synergy, Azzurra, TeamOrigin, BMW Oracle Racing, Artemis, All4One and TFS – PagesJaunes.

Final Round Robin standings

1. Emirates Team New Zealand (9-1) 6 points

2. Synergy Russia Sailing Team (6-4) 4.5 points

3. Azzurra (7-4) 4.5 points

4. TeamOrigin (8-3) 4.5 points

5. BMW Oracle Racing (4-7) 3 points

6. Artemis (5-6) 3 points

7. All4One (3-8) 2 points

8. TFS – PagesJaunes (1-10) .5 points

FLIGHT 7

M2: Synergy vs. Emirates Team New Zealand

The final match of the round robin pits the upstart Synergy Russia Sailing Team against the nearly flawless Emirates Team New Zealand. Both teams have qualified for the semi finals. In fact, Team New Zealand, currently at 9-1, has wrapped up the top spot and will get to choose its opponent in the next round. Could that opponent be Synergy? Or might it be TeamOrigin (8-3) or Azzurra (7-4)? This match might determine the Kiwis’ choice.

Synergy comes into the match at 6-4, having won five straight and six of seven overall. For a “new” crew Synergy has far outperformed some of the other “new” crews, ones which have far more experience. A win in this match would place Synergy in a tie for third place with Azzurra at 7-4, a tie that Synergy would win given its victory yesterday over Azzurra. That would be a nice feather in the cap of the “new” crew, but it would have little consequence in the next round. Team New Zealand’s choice of opponent will force the other two teams into a match.

Synergy comes into the match looking for revenge after losing a heartbreaker in Round 1. In light winds less than 5 knots, the Russian team was five lengths from the finish when it “ran into the wall.” Team New Zealand, seemingly dead in the water, found a private puff and rolled over the top for the win.

Synergy will enter the start box on port tack aboard ITA-99 while Team New Zealand comes in at the other end aboard ITA-90. The winds are forecast from the east around 10 knots. This is the only match scheduled today and the warning signal is slated for 1200 CET.

There’s one match outstanding to complete the round robin at the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Côte d’Azur, but the four semi finalists are confirmed.

Emirates Team New Zealand will win the round robin and have the opportunity to select its opponent in the semis. Team New Zealand didn’t race today and has one match remaining, against upstart Synergy Russian Sailing Team, but the veteran team led by skipper Dean Barker has a 9-1 record and cannot lose the top spot.

The Kiwis will pick their opponent from a group including TeamOrigin (8-3) of the U.K., Azzurra (7-4) of Italy or Synergy. After starting the regatta 0-3, the Russian crew today won its fifth consecutive match and sixth out of seven with a hard-fought victory over Azzurra. Synergy now stands at 6-4.

The second half of the leaderboard has Artemis (5-6) in fifth, BMW Oracle Racing (4-7) in sixth, All4One (3-8) in seventh and TFS – PagesJaunes (1-10) in eighth. These four teams will race a knockout round to determine places 5th though 8th concurrent with the semi finals.

“We’re getting stuff done, but it hasn’t been easy,” said Peter “Luigi” Reggio, principal race officer for the regatta. “The last two days have been very similar to each other, unlike the eight or so before that; every day was different. In the last race we had 13, 14 knots. In the second flight we started to see whitecaps. We haven’t seen those since last Tuesday.”

After the morning northerly blew itself out today the wind shifted to the east and built. Synergy ensured its advance to the semis with the win over Azzurra in a classic match race.

The two crews were rarely separated by more than two boatlengths, but there was only one “Y” flag requesting a ruling from the on-water umpires. It was in the pre-start and it was green.

Synergy again got the right-hand side of the start line and Azzurra started at the pin. The Italians quickly tacked to port once on the racecourse and a tacking duel ensued up the 1.4-nautical mile leg to the windward mark with Synergy protecting the right side of the course.

There were stretches where the two yachts sailed overlapped on the same tack for up to 2 minutes, with neither showing a real speed edge. During one stretch on port tack Synergy, to leeward, was able to foot out and force Azzurra to tack away. Synergy then covered in a windward position and drove the match to the port layline to round the windward mark with an 8-second advantage.

The delta was down to 5 seconds at the leeward gate, but Synergy bumped it back up to 15 seconds at the second windward mark.

Azzurra was making a charge on the run to the finish, having closed to within one boatlength. But after a jibe to port Azzurra hardened up to roll over the top of Synergy. Then, with the asymmetric spinnaker loaded, the sail split from luff to leech just below the head patch. Race over.

“I think Synergy was strong on us but by pushing to edge we thought their spinnaker might blow. It was a 50-50 chance,” said Francesco Bruni, Azzurra skipper. “That was one of best races I’ve ever sailed in Cup boats. I really enjoyed it. Every leg was close and each crew did a fantastic job.”

Despite the closeness at that stage of the race, Synergy skipper Karol Jablonski felt in control of the match. He was positioned to leeward and ahead and it would’ve been a long way around for Azzurra.

“These spinnakers are more for downwind sailing so when you heat up you don’t go faster. The sail just loads up,” Jablonski said.

Although the leaderboard is determined, the pairings for the semi finalists and knockout round won’t be announced until after tomorrow’s race. The match between Emirates Team New Zealand and Synergy is scheduled to start at 1210 CET.

Other matches today included BMW Oracle Racing defeating Artemis by 36 seconds, TeamOrigin beating All4One by 48 seconds, Azzurra beating BMW Oracle by 1:01 and Artemis defeating TFS – PagesJaunes by 1:03.

FLIGHT 6

M1: Azzurra d. BMW Oracle Racing – Delta: 1:01

Azzurra booked its ticket to the semi finals with this victory over BMW Oracle Racing. Azzurra gained a slim lead on the first beat and rounded the windward mark just 9 seconds ahead. The Italians increased that advantage to 25 seconds at the leeward gate, but then was aided by a problem aboard BMW Oracle Racing. The crew had trouble gathering the A2 asymmetric spinnaker when the halyard got jammed during the douse. It took nearly one-third of the second beat for the crew to wrestle the A2 below decks. By the time it was under control the pair was on the port tack layline and BMW Oracle had few options but to follow the rest of the way around the course.

Azzurra remains in third on the scoreboard with a 7-3 record and BMW Oracle holds in sixth at 3-7.

M2: TeamOrigin d. All4One – Delta: 48 seconds

TeamOrigin completes its participation in the round robin with an 8-3 record. The British crew led by skipper Ben Ainslie put forth a workman-like effort in downing All4One. The Brits gained the lead on the first beat. With both yachts on starboard tack TeamOrigin seemed to foot out to leeward. When both tacked to port TEamOrigin was to windward and rode All4One past the starboard layline. TeamOrigin led at the first mark by 23 seconds and covered the rest of the way around the course for the victory. All4One closes the round robin with a 3-8 record and in seventh place.

FLIGHT 8

M1: Synergy d. Azzurra – Delta: 1:02

Synergy Russia Sailing Team cemented its place in the semi finals with a wire-to-wire win over Azzurra. Synergy’s win was aided when Azzurra’s asymmetric spinnaker split just below the head patch on the run to the finish, but at the time Synergy was protecting a lead it established on the first windward leg.

Synergy wanted the right off the start line and won it in the pre-start, starting at the committee boat end of the line on port tack. Azzurra was on starboard at the pin end but tacked to port immediately after getting onto the racecourse. This was a great match up the first beat, with Synergy protecting the right side every time the yachts came together. Synergy eventually used the power of starboard tack to drive the match to the port layline and led at the windward mark by 8 seconds. The Russian-flagged yacht led by 5 seconds at the leeward gate and chose to make a starboard rounding while Azzurra made a port rounding. That meant Azzurra had to jibe to the mark and then the crew tacked to starboard after beginning the beat. The two manoeuvres to Synergy’s none gave the Russians a little breathing room. Synergy led by 15 seconds beginning the run to the finish. Azzurra was making a charge on the run and had closed the game up to within one boatlength when the A2 tore from luff to leech.

Synergy now has a 6-4 record and has one more race remaining in Round 2, scheduled for tomorrow against Emirates Team New Zealand. Azzurra is through to the semis at 7-4, its round robin racing complete.

M2: Artemis d. TFS – PagesJaunes – Delta: 1:03

Artemis entered this match with a slim hope of advancing to the semi finals, but that hope was dashed when Synergy won the previous match. Artemis led this match at the first windward mark b 10 seconds and extended the rest of the way to improve its record to 5-5. But as helmsman Terry Hutchinson noted last evening, the crew has put itself at a disadvantage by not converting enough leads to wins.

Artemis now has a record of 5-5 and could get to 6-5 by winning its final match against BMW Oracle Racing. Artemis could finish tied with Synergy if the Russians lose tomorrow, but Synergy holds the tiebreak advantage because it won their head-to-head match at the beginning of Round 2. TFS – PagesJaunes finishes the round robin at 1-10.

FLIGHT 7

M1: BMW Oracle Racing d. Artemis – Delta: 36 seconds

BMW Oracle Racing halted its losing streak at four races with this victory over Artemis. With the wind blowing from the east between 12 and 15 knots, this was another classic match race on the first beat. BMW Oracle Racing came off the start line at the pin end with Artemis at the boat end. It took most of the beat, but BMW Oracle was eventually able to get to windward on port tack and drive the match out past starboard layline to the first mark. BMW Oracle led by 8 seconds at the first mark and then extended that a slight bit when Artemis had a rough set, the genoa coming down before the spinnaker hit the top of the rig. BMW Oracle then kept its covering position around the course to score a much-needed win for morale’s sake. Both teams are headed to the knockout round for 5th through 8th.

FLIGHT 6

M1: BMW Oracle Racing vs. Azzurra

BMW Oracle Racing has nearly run out of time to qualify for the semi finals and to keep its slim hope of advancement alive the crew must win its two matches today, beginning with this one. Azzurra beat BMW Oracle in the first round, so the U.S.-flagged crew should have motivation. Azzurra, on the other hand, needs one win in its two remaining matches to ensure advancement.

M2: TeamOrigin vs. All4One

TeamOrigin returns to the water after having suffered a stunning loss yesterday afternoon to Synergy Russia Sailing Team. This is the British crew’s final match of Round 2, but it is already set for advancement to the semis with a 7-3 record. Similarly, this is All4One’s final race of Round 2. With a 3-7 record, All4One is headed for the knockout racing for 5th through 8th place.

FLIGHT 8

M1: Azzurra vs. Synergy

This match is the final for Azzurra in Round 2 and is an intriguing match-up. Synergy comes in on a roll, having taken the scalp of TeamOrigin in a match yesterday afternoon. Was that a fluke, aided by getting the favoured side of the racecourse? Or has the upstart Russian team really made strides? This match could tell volumes.

M2: TFS – PagesJaunes vs. Artemis

TFS – PagesJaunes has one win in 10 starts, and this is its final match before the knockout round for 5th through 8th places. The French crew led by skipper Bertrand Pace could leave the water feeling good about itself with a win. Artemis, which is loaded with talent, seems to have sailed below its potential this week. Helmsman Terry Hutchinson pointed that fact out yesterday when noting that the crew has led at seven of nine first mark roundings, but only scored four wins. Artemis has a slim hope of advancing to the semi finals, but must win its final two matches, starting with this one, and hope for help elsewhere.

FLIGHT 7

M1: BMW Oracle Racing vs. Artemis

The final scheduled match of the day sees BMW Oracle taking on Artemis. BMW Oracle will enter the start box on port tack aboard FRA-93. Artemis comes in on starboard aboard GBR-75.

Synergy skipper Karol Jablonski and tactician Rod Dawson were wearing huge smiles dockside and expressing their pleasure over a job well done when Philippe Mourniac from All4One approached.

“Great job, guys. It was awesome to watch on TV,” said Mourniac, the Franco-German team’s navigator.

Synergy had recently completed a wire-to-wire win over TeamOrigin, restructuring the order at the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Côte d’Azur as perestroika revamped Russian politics in the 1980s.

Synergy today won two races and now occupies fourth place on the leaderboard with a 5-4 record, 1 point behind third-placed Azzurra. Synergy has two matches remaining in Round 2 and a victory in at least one would ensure advancement to the semi-finals.

“That would be an accomplishment. But we still have to win it,” said Jablonski, the 47-year-old skipper from Poland. “Today we had a good day and we’re happy with our performance in this event. Before the start, who would’ve counted on us going forward?”

The semi-finalists took shape today with Emirates Team New Zealand wrapping up the round robins. Kiwi skipper Dean Barker came out victorious over BMW Oracle Racing and TFS – PagesJaunes and leads the event with a 9-1 record.

England’s TeamOrigin holds second at 7-3. Italy’s Azzurra didn’t race today but remains in third place at 6-3. Synergy is fourth followed by Artemis at 4-5. BMW Oracle Racing is sixth (3-6), All4One seventh (3-7) and TFS – PagesJaunes eighth (1-9).

“The big deal for us is getting into the top four, and I think we’re comfortable,” said Ben Ainslie, TeamOrigin skipper. “It’s about getting better and trying to get results in the semi-final sail-offs. All the teams are battling a bit with the conditions and boats and trying to get used to it all. Like everyone else, we’re trying to get better.”

If a few breaks had fallen differently in Round 1, Synergy might be placed even higher. The team lost a heartbreaker to Emirates Team New Zealand just five lengths from the finish line. It lost another match that it led when the mainsheet broke. Despite the setbacks, the learning curve has remained vertical.

“The important thing for our team is the atmosphere,” Jablonski said. “We went through a difficult time at the beginning. If something goes wrong there are a lot of possibilities for the team to explode or not be happy, but we are holding together. We have good attitudes.”

That attitude was evident when Synergy took down TeamOrigin. Jablonski started to the right of Ainslie, won the first cross on the right side of the course, and opened a lead at the first windward mark that wouldn’t be overcome on the short, two-lap course.

“Both sides wanted the right, but we didn’t want it with a bad start,” Ainslie said. “I thought we were in position to make their start tough, but they did a good job squeezing around the committee boat.

“It’s good to see those guys doing so well,” Ainslie continued. “They’ve got some great sailors. It’s good to see that when they get the boat handling side figured out they’ve got some smart sailors who know what a wind shift is and can figure it out.”

Three flights remain to complete the second round robin over the next two days. And although the semi-finalists are taking shape, the day still belonged to Synergy, even if they have to scream at each other.

“We don’t have a communications system on board, so we have to talk loud to make sure everyone’s on the same page,” Jablonski said. “The communication with the guy up the rig is difficult because he has to scream. But it doesn’t matter. It’s in Russian half the time so no one else can understand!”

FLIGHT 3

M1: TeamOrigin d. BMW Oracle Racing – Delta:

The Union Jack defeated the Stars & Stripes in a come-from-behind performance. BMW Oracle grabbed the lead on the first upwind leg and held a 17-second advantage at the windward mark. BMW Oracle had started to the left of TeamOrigin and then crossed to the right at the first meeting to gain control. BMW Oracle maintained that lead through the leeward gate. Up the second beat, however, the crews split sides with BMW Oracle going left and TeamOrigin going right. The lateral separation surpassed 1,300 meters and when the pair met about two-thirds up the course TeamOrigin held starboard tack and BMW Oracle was forced to tack to leeward. TeamOrigin took BMW Oracle to the port layline and led at the second windward mark by 13 seconds. BMW Oracle made gains on the run to the finish, but ran out of racecourse.

The win increases TeamOrigin’s record to 7-2 while BMW Oracle falls to 3-5.

M2: Synergy d. Artemis – Delta: 41 seconds

The upstart Russian crew is becoming a force to be reckoned with after scoring a solid win over Artemis. Synergy and Artemis had a split start, with Artemis on port at the boat. The Swedish-flagged yacht quickly tacked to starboard and both crews sailed to the left side of the course. Synergy was first to tack to port and at the first cross Artemis was forced to tack on the leebow. On the next exchange Synergy was farther to windward and Artemis was forced to tack to port to leeward. Synergy then drove the match to the starboard layline and led at the windward mark by 11 seconds. Synergy steadily increased that lead around the course for the win.

The Russian crew moves to fourth in the standings at 4-4 and relegates Artemis to fifth at 3-5.

FLIGHT 4

M1: Emirates Team New Zealand d. BMW ORACLE Racing – Delta: 9 seconds

Team New Zealand used a familiar formula to win its eighth match in nine starts. Skipper Dean Barker started at the pin, won the first cross and controlled up the beat to hold a 23-second lead at the first mark. The two crews took opposite routes through the leeward gate, with Team New Zealand making a port rounding and BMW Oracle going starboard. A left shift up the second beat allowed BMW Oracle to dig back into Team New Zealand, but the Kiwis took starboard tack across by two lengths at the first meeting on the second uphill leg, and the covered for a 14-second advantage beginning the run to the finish. The Kiwis had to sweat out the win as BMW Oracle closed up to overlapped at the finish from three lengths behind.

While Team New Zealand keeps its place at the top of the leaderboard at 8-1, BMW Oracle remained in sixth with a 3-6 record.

M2: Artemis d. ALL4ONE – DNF

Artemis dodged a big bullet in its hopes of advancing to the semi-finals when it completed a penalty turn on the finish line in light winds for the victory. All4One had gotten the penalty on the Swedish-flagged team on the first windward leg, getting its bow to leeward on port tack and luffing. Artemis, however, led at all three mark roundings and began the run to the finish with a 1:04 advantage. It was going to be tenuous whether Artemis could complete the turn and cross the line in the lead as the wind was blowing about 4 knots. But All4One blew a jibe to starboard when the A2 twisted into an hour-glass. The crew had to lower the sail to remove the twist and Artemis turned its 150-metre lead into 600-plus metres. All4One was scored DNF when it failed to finish within 5 minutes of Artemis.

Artemis is now fifth at 4-5, one loss behind Synergy in fourth. All4One drops to 3-7 in seventh place.

FLIGHT 5

M1: Synergy d. TeamOrigin – Delta: 1:34

Synergy Russia Sailing Team is becoming the spoiler of this regatta. The team is now 2-0 in Round 2 and up to fourth on the leaderboard after dispatching of TeamOrigin in perhaps its most impressive race yet. Synergy won the right side of the racecourse off the start line, won the first cross, led by 28 seconds at the first mark and was never threatened. Synergy is also doing it all as a first-time crew. The loss dropped TeamOrigin to 7-3 on the scoreboard but it remains in second place, one win ahead of Azzurra (6-3).

M2: Emirates Team New Zealand d. TFS – PagesJaunes – Delta: 1:55

Team New Zealand upped its record to 9-1 with a wire-to-wire win over TFS – PagesJaunes. Team New Zealand controlled the match on the first upwind leg from the left side and led by 27 seconds at the first windward mark. Team New Zealand stretched that advantage to 1:07 at the leeward gate, which it held to the second windward mark. The delta became inflated on the run when the A2 gennaker on TFS – PagesJaunes tore in half.

FLIGHT 3

M1: BMW ORACLE Racing vs. TeamOrigin

TeamOrigin won this match in Round 1 but BMW Oracle is more in need of a win if it hopes to climb into the top four and a spot in the semi-finals. The U.S.-flagged team yesterday dropped its last race of Round 1, which relegated it to sixth place, and this is its first match of Round 2. TeamOrigin enters the match in possession of second place on the leaderboard. The British team finished Round 1 at 5-2 and yesterday won its first match of Round 2 to increase its record to 6-2. TeamOrigin leap-frogged Azzurra for second when the Italians dropped two matches yesterday.

M2: Synergy vs. Artemis

Synergy and Artemis, along with BMW Oracle Racing, finished Round 1 tied for fourth at 3-4. Artemis won the tiebreaker because it was the only team of the three to beat one of the top three teams. Artemis helmsman Terry Hutchinson has been growing his game this week, particularly in the pre-start, but so has the Synergy crew, which is competing in America’s Cup class yachts for the first time. Synergy led this match in Round 1 until its mainsheet broke on the first upwind leg, which enabled Artemis to take the lead and the win.

FLIGHT 4

M1: Emirates Team New Zealand vs. BMW ORACLE Racing

Team New Zealand has led this regatta right from the start. The Kiwis are a polished crew and it shows on the racecourse. There’s little discussion when manoeuvres are required, other than skipper Dean Barker saying, “OK, here we go.” This will be the second match of the day for BMW Oracle, and it enters the start box on the favoured starboard tack. BMW Oracle will be aboard FRA-93 and Team New Zealand on GBR-75.

M2: ALL4ONE vs. Artemis

The French/German team ALL4ONE enters having gone 1-1 yesterday in its first two races of Round 2. After this match ALL4ONE will have one remaining in Round 2 and needs every opportunity to score a win. This will be the second match of the day for Artemis, which enters the start box on starboard tack and aboard ITA-90. ALL4ONE will be aboard ITA-99.

FLIGHT 5

M1: TeamOrigin vs. Synergy

M2: TFS – PagesJaunes vs. Emriates Team New Zealand

France’s TFS – PagesJaunes scored its first win of the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Côte d’Azur today as the regatta began Round Robin 2. Other winners included fleet leader Emirates Team New Zealand, No. 2 TeamOrigin and the combined French/German team All4One.

A new wind direction blew across the racecourse on the Baie des Anges, northeast, but the strength remained light, between 4 and 8 knots. That put a premium on getting to the right side where there seemed to be more pressure. One knot difference in windspeed can add 10 degrees of heading.

Russia’s Synergy played the right side to defeat BMW Oracle Racing in the first match of the day. The showdown was the lone outstanding match of Round 1 and determined fourth, fifth and sixth in the standings.

Synergy and BMW Oracle were separated laterally by more than 1,400 meters (.75 nautical miles) when Synergy tacked to starboard. The Russian team led by skipper Karol Jablonski led by 56 seconds at the first mark en route to a 14-second victory.

Synergy’s win placed it in a three-way tie for fourth in Round 1 with Artemis and BMW Oracle, all at 3-4. Artemis won the tiebreaker by virtue of its win yesterday over TeamOrigin of the U.K. Synergy placed fifth because it beat BMW Oracle, and the U.S.-flagged crew placed sixth.

The standings proved important because the schedule for Round 2 has been amended from a full round robin. Due to time constraints the eight teams have been divided into two halves based on the Round Robin 1 standings. The top four teams will race each of the bottom four teams once. Wins will be worth 1 point.

Round 2 began with the previously winless TFS – PagesJaunes scoring a wire-to-wire win over Italy’s Azzurra, which finished second in the first round. Skipper Bertrand Pacé and his crew started to the right of the Italians to play the right side of the course, and when they tacked to starboard they opened an insurmountable lead. TFS – PagesJaunes led by 33 seconds at the first mark and kept increasing its advantage and scored a victory of 1 minute, 45 seconds.

TFS – PagesJaunes was formed just two weeks before the regatta and the crew went through some growing pains in the first round. But all of that was temporarily forgotten with the win.

“We knew we could win races, it’s just taken a while for the crew to come together,” said Pacé, a past match racing world champion. “The afterguard picked the right-hand side of the course, and since we had starboard tack in the pre-start it was easy to get to the right.”

It was an afternoon for the French to beat up on the Italians. In the second flight of races All4One scored a 46-second victory over Azzurra. The match was close on the first beat, but All4One protected its early lead and led by 39 seconds at the first mark. All4One was the only crew to win today after starting to the left of its competition.

“We had two good starts today. First one was against Team New Zealand, but we didn't turn it into a point and we missed the opportunity to take the lead in this match,” said All4One helmsman Sébastien Col. “We refocused for the second match against Azzurra, where we more or less adopted the same strategy. The afterguard did nice job to keep the lead, knowing that in these light conditions it was not easy.”

In other Round 2 matches Emirates Team New Zealand defeated All4One by 47 seconds and TeamOrigin won over TFS – PagesJaunes by 2 minutes, 31 seconds.

FLIGHT 8

M2: Synergy d. BMW ORACLE Racing – Delta: 14 seconds

The last match of Round 1 saw Synergy gain its third win of the regatta. The Russian team and BMW Oracle Racing had a split-tack start, with Synergy on port at the boat end and BMW Oracle on starboard at the pin. The two crews held tacks to the outer edges of the racecourse, the lateral separation eventually surpassing 1,400 metres (.75 nautical miles). Synergy was first to tack, and seemed to find lifting pressure on the right side. Skipper Karol Jablonski led his crew around the windward mark with a healthy lead of 56 seconds. On the run the Russian crew increased its lead to 1:05 at the leeward gate. BMW Oracle made a furious comeback around the second lap, but still fell short.

The win by Synergy placed it in a three-way tie for fourth with Artemis and BMW Oracle, all at 3-4. Artemis wins the tiebreaker by virtue of its win yesterday over TeamOrigin. Synergy places fifth because it beat BMW Oracle, and the U.S.-flagged crew places sixth.

One match remains outstanding to complete the first round robin, and it’s an important one. BMW ORACLE Racing takes on Synergy of Russia in a race to decide fourth, fifth and sixth in the round. That’s become important due to the amended Sailing Instructions issued yesterday.

The second round has been changed to a sort of half round robin. The amendment reads:

“Teams will be ranked based on their points scored in Round Robin 1. Ties will be broken in accordance with RRS Appendix C11.

“Teams ranked in positions 5-8 will race once against each team ranked in positions 1-4, and the Round Robin will be complete at that point under SI 8.8(a). A win will score one point. Other matches in Round Robin 2 will not be sailed.”

In the modified round teams will swap starting line assignments and yachts from the first round.

If BMW Oracle wins this match it will place fourth, Artemis will finish fifth and Synergy will drop to sixth. But if Synergy wins Artemis will place fourth, Synergy fifth and BMW Oracle sixth.

The race committee's attempt to run the match yesterday were thwarted by the conditions. The first attempt was abandoned on the first run of the race when the 20-minute time limit expired with the leader, BMW Oracle, about two-thirds of the way down the 1-nautical-mile leg. Further attempts were postponed because of light winds less than 5 knots.

Emirates Team New Zealand won the first round robin at the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Côte d’Azur despite losing the anticipated showdown match against England’s TEAMORIGIN.

TeamOrigin, with founder and CEO Sir Keith Mills riding as 18th man, won the thrilling race by 32 seconds. That gave the British team an opportunity to win the round robin outright, but it dropped to third when it lost to Italy’s Azzurra in its second match of the day.

Azzurra’s 1-minute triumph put it tied with Team New Zealand for the lead at 6-1, but the Kiwis won by beating Azzurra in Flight 5. TeamOrigin placed third with a 5-2 record.

“It was always going to be a tough match against TeamOrigin,” said Emirates Team New Zealand skipper, Dean Barker. “It was disappointing to lose the race, but you always learn more in your losses than your wins. We’re pleased with the way we’re sailing and we can do better.”

While the top three spots on the leaderboard are set, fourth through sixth remain up for grabs. There’s one match outstanding to complete the round, between BMW ORACLE Racing and Synergy, and it is tomorrow’s scheduled first match. It was abandoned today when the 20-minute leg time limit ran out on the first run.

The match has significant implications for the standings. If BMW Oracle wins it places fourth and Synergy finishes sixth behind Sweden’s Artemis. But if Synergy wins the three teams become tied at 3-4. The tiebreaker would place Artemis fourth, Synergy fifth and BMW Oracle sixth.

The French/German team ALL4ONE is seventh with a 2-5 record and TFS – Pages Jaunes is eighth at 0-7.

The standings are important because the second half of the regatta has been changed. Due to time constraints a half round robin will be conducted with the top four teams racing the bottom four teams. Each team has four matches scheduled before the semifinals and knock-out rounds begin next Thursday.

Today’s few matches showcased aggressive match racing with afterguards frequently seeking penalties on their opponent.

Team New Zealand and TeamOrigin took split tacks onto the racecourse. The key moment came at their third meeting near the top of the 1.3-nautical-mile leg. Approaching on opposite tacks, TeamOrigin held the starboard advantage and used it to dial down Team New Zealand. When the Kiwis got to the right TeamOrigin made a slam-dunk tack and pinned the Kiwis to leeward.

Moments later both boats were luffing head-to-wind with Team New Zealand to the right. TeamOrigin fell off onto starboard tack, built speed, tacked to port and sailed over the bow of Team New Zealand to round in the lead by 21 seconds en route to the victory.

“We have a huge amount of respect for Dean and all the guys at Team New Zealand,” said Ben Ainslie, TeamOrigin skipper. “Having spent a lot of time there sailing with those guys in the last America’s Cup, it’s always nice to have a good race with them, and to come away with a win was good. It was a very tight race.”

After the big win TeamOrigin had to take on Azzurra to win the round. Origin had the lead at the first mark by 37 seconds after getting a red-flag penalty on the Italian crew. But the Italians, having performed the penalty, found a nice wind shift with pressure on the run and turned the deficit into an advantage they wouldn’t relinquish.

“I don’t disagree with the penalty, but I don’t think it should have been a red flag,” said Azzurra skipper Francesco Bruni. “My brother (Gabriele) has been doing a great job calling the wind from up the rig.”

FLIGHT 14

M1: BMW ORACLE Racing d. Artemis – Delta:

BMW Oracle scored a badly need victory, snatching it from the jaws of defeat near the top of the second beat. Artemis led around the first lap, holding an advantage of 9 seconds at the leeward gate. But the Swedish-flagged team seemed to have troubles with its genoa coming out of the mark. BMW Oracle Racing worked the left side of the beat and near the top took port tack across Artemis. BMW Oracle tacked to port to cover and led by 16 seconds beginning the run to the finish. The win was just the third of the regatta for BMW Oracle, whose primary focus lies elsewhere around the world.

M2: TeamOrigin d. Emirates Team New Zealand – Delta: 32 seconds

TeamOrigin, with founder and CEO Sir Keith Mills riding as 18th man, handed Team New Zealand its first loss of the regatta, a 32-second decision. This was a fascinating match as the two teams are loaded with talent.

New Zealand skipper Dean Barker won the start at the pin end once again. During the pre-starts all week he’s lured his competition into his windward quarter and then forced them to tack away. But TeamOrigin’s Ben Ainslie was able to use starboard tack to his advantage and protect the right side of the course, twice leebowing the Kiwis back to the left. The key moment came at the top of the first beat.

The two crews approached bow-to-bow at their third meeting, with TeamOrigin holding starboard. Ainslie used that advantage to dial down Barker and TNZ. Ainslie got Barker to commit to passing to leeward and then tacked to port, effectively putting a slam dunk on the Kiwis. The pair began a luffing match that saw it drift closer to the windward mark. Moments later, with the Kiwis to the right of the Brits and both nearly dead in the water, Ainslie bore off onto starboard, built speed and tacked to port, crossing the Kiwis and rounding the mark in the lead. The Kiwis were slow to build speed and trailed by 21 seconds.

Team New Zealand closed a bit on the run to the leeward gate, taking 10 seconds out of the Brits’ lead, but Ainslie and tactician Iain Percy put the clamps on Team New Zealand up the second beat and on the run to the finish.

FLIGHT 7

M2: Azzurra d. TeamOrigin – Delta: 1 minute

Despite the delta, this was another exciting match that was in play until the Italian crew crossed the finish line. TeamOrigin took the early lead on the first leg, winning the pin end in the split-tack start. Azzurra started on port at the boat end and then tacked to starboard about 2 minutes into the race. With both boats on starboard, Azzurra lifted up inside of the Brits, which were to leeward by about 10 boatlengths.

TeamOrigin gained the lead at the first meeting, but not by crossing. Azzurra had starboard rights and slam-dunked TeamOrigin. British skipper Ben Ainslie luffed twice and the on-water umpires deemed Azzurra did not keep clear. The umps gave the Italians a red-flag penalty for the incident. When Azzurra completed its jibe onto starboard tack, TeamOrigin tacked to windward and into a covering position and led by 37 seconds at the windward mark.

Azzurra, however, has had great luck on the runs during this regatta and that luck came through again. Azzurra jibed to starboard early on the run while TeamOrigin held port. When Azzurra jibed back to port, with more than 1,100 metres of separation, it was headed down to the mark in pressure while TeamOrigin was wallowing when it completed its jibe to starboard. Azzurra took a 56-second lead through the leeward gate.

Azzurra led by 49 seconds at the second windward mark and its lead was threatened late on the run to the finish when TeamOrigin closed up to within two boatlengths, but there wasn’t enough racecourse left and Azzurra held on for the win in dying winds.

The victory gave Azzurra second for the round robin at 6-1 and dropped TeamOrigin to third at 5-2. Emirates Team New Zealand won the round at 6-1, having beaten Azzurra in their head-to-head match.

Four matches remain to complete the first round robin and organizers are anxious to get them done today. Light winds have been the biggest foe in this match race regatta. Typically the strongest winds have been in the morning so the race committee has moved the first start back a half hour to 0830. Today’s matches will determine the final standings on the leaderbaord, which will be important going forward as the event format will undergo a yet to be announced change.

FLIGHT 14

M1: Artemis vs. BMW Oracle Racing

A win for Artemis will all but assure it of fourth place. In a best case scenario it could jump up to third, depending on other results. The match is one of two scheduled for BMW Oracle Racing, which holds fifth place. It needs to win both if it hopes to move up to fourth.

M2: TeamOrigin vs. Emirates Team New Zealand

TeamOrigin also has two matches scheduled today. If the Brits win both they can claim the top spot on the leaderboard. But Team New Zealand has proved impermeable so far. The Kiwis have streaked out to 6-0 with deadly precision.

FLIGHT 7

M2: TeamOrigin vs. Azzurra

The second of TeamOrigin’s two matches is hardly a cake walk. If the Brits find a way past Team New Zealand they still have to take down Azzurra to win the round robin. The Italian team from the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda is enjoying its coming out party. Skipper Francesco Bruni has been solid in the pre-start, and luck has fallen his way when behind on the racecourse.

FLIGHT 8

M2: BMW Oracle Racing vs. Synergy

The last scheduled match of the round sees the upstart Synergy team from Russia take on BMW Oracle Racing. Synergy has scored back to back wins against the French teams ALL4ONE and TFS – Pages Jaunes. Those also happen to be the two teams BMW Oracle has beaten. If BMW Oracle loses to Artemis in its first match of the day, this will be a sail-off for fifth place in the standings, an unfathomable occurrence at the beginning of the regatta.

FLIGHT 12

Wind: 7-9 knots

Course axis and range: 345 degrees, 1.3 NM

M1: Emirates Team New Zealand d. BMW ORACLE Racing – Delta: 48 seconds

Team New Zealand controlled this match throughout, although it was close around the first lap of the two-lap course. The Kiwis have attempted to start to leeward on starboard in every match, and got that position again. They believe that tacks late in the sequence are costly because smaller, No. 2 genoas are being used rather than the giant overlapping No. 1s. That makes the boats underpowered in the light winds.

Team New Zealand led by 13 seconds at the first windward mark as both boats took port jibe on the first run. Approaching the halfway point of the run BMW Oracle seemed to be getting its bow to leeward of New Zealand’s line and closing a bit. That’s when Team New Zealand threw a fake jibe at its rival, but BMW Oracle didn’t bite. Moments later the Kiwis made another fake jibe, going so far as to bring the boom to centreline with the mainsail battens popping from port to starboard, but then turned back to port when BMW Oracle completed the jibe to starboard. A minute later Team New Zealand completed a jibe to starboard and had clear air to the leeward gate, which it rounded to port in a jibe douse. BMW Oracle held starboard around the right-hand mark. Up the second beat Team New Zealand sailed free and clear and increased its lead to 47 seconds at the second windward mark. The run to the finish was a foregone conclusion.

M2: Artemis d. TeamOrigin – Delta: 45 seconds

Artemis scored a badly needed point and handed TeamOrigin its first loss in a match that was over when it started. Artemis helmsman Terry Hutchinson made mincemeat of TeamOrigin’s Ben Ainslie. Artemis started on starboard tack about mid-line while TeamOrigin was tacking to port almost two lengths to leeward. Artemis immediately had a 40-metre lead and never looked back, other than to make sure it was in cover mode.

FLIGHT 13

Wind: 3-7 knots

Course axis and range: 185 degrees, 1.2 NM

M1: TFS – Synergy d. TFS – Pages Jaunes (DNF)

A day after picking up its first win in AC class racing Synergy posted its second, once again by defeating a French team. Synergy won this light-air race on the first beat. Skipper Karol Jablonski brought the Russian crew onto the racecourse on starboard tack and well to windward of Bertrand Pace’s French crew. Synergy at times was sailing 20 degrees higher on the long starboard tack to the left side of the course, aided by either slightly more pressure or a lifted angle. Synergy led by more than 1 minute at the first mark. Synergy’s only real threat was the 20-minute leg time limit on the run to the finish. The Russians made it with a few minutes to spare, but TFS – Pages Jaunes was more than 5 minutes in arrears and was scored DNF per the Sailing Instructions.

M2: Azzurra d. ALL4ONE – Delta: 1:56

The Italian crew aboard Azzurra won the first cross in this match, but lost the lead later on the first beat when it tacked to cover ALL4ONE up on its hip. When Azzurra tacked to starboard to cover the wind was light and ALL4ONE was able to use its momentum to sail through to leeward. ALL4ONE took a 24-second lead around the windward mark but then gifted the match to Azzurra. ALL4ONE jibed away to starboard although Azzurra hadn’t made a manoeuvre. Basically, ALL4ONE jibed out of a covering position. The Italians held port before jibing to starboard later, and when they did they were headed on starboard with pressure while ALL4ONE was light and lifted on the other side of the course. Azzurra took a comfortable lead around the leeward gate and then, like Synergy, had to fight the time limit to score the point.

Despite the slow opening weekend to the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Côte d’Azur, Round Robin 1 is nearly complete and only one day late. If all scheduled matches are completed today, organizers hope to leap into Round Robin 2 beginning tomorrow. Some matches today will help define the top four spots for the first round robin, which could be important if the second round is cut short due to weather constrictions.

FLIGHT 12

M1: BMW ORACLE Racing vs. Emirates Team New Zealand

The sixth day of racing opens with a bang. Emirates Team New Zealand has shown deadly efficiency in streaking to a 5-0 record and top spot on the leaderboard. Skikpper Dean Barker has been as precise as a surgeon in his pre-start manoeuvres, always taking a lead onto the racecourse. BMW Oracle Racing is being guided by Gavin Brady, the team’s alternate helmsman who’s filling in for team CEO and skipper Russell Coutts. BMW Oracle badly needs a strong showing. Its two wins have come against ALL4ONE and TFS – Pages Jaunes its losses to Azzurra and TeamOrigin.

M2: TeamOrigin vs. Artemis

TEamOrigin is the only other undefeated team at the event at 4-0. Skipper Ben Ainslie has shown good instincts in the pre-start, and is ably backed up by tactician Iain Percy. The Brits need a victory to keep pace behind Team New Zealand and set up a head-to-head showdown in Flight 14 for Round Robin 1. Artemis has a loaded afterguard, but has been uneven in its performance so far. Yesterday, the team suffered a loss to Team New Zealand that was fairly one-sided. Skipper/strategist Paul Cayard said they made it easy on the Kiwis by giving up lateral separation in the pre-start.

FLIGHT 13

M1: TFS – Pages Jaunes vs. Synergy

TFS – Pages Jaunes enters this match still seeking its first win of the regatta. Skipper Bertrand Pace and his crew came together just two weeks before the event began, and have had some rough spots on the racecourse. They’ve been OCS in one match and yesterday had troubles at a leeward gate when the spinnaker was late to drop and the genoa was late to hoist. Synergy won its first match yesterday against ALL4ONE. The French/German team gifted them an early advantage by being OCS at the start and carrying a penalty for hitting the committee boat. But teams still have to convert the win, and Synergy did.

M2: ALL4ONE vs. Azzurra

ALL4ONE skipper Jochen Schumann is mostly happy with his team’s performance, despite a 2-4 record. He points out that when the team starts well, it converts matches into wins. But starting well has been the problem, as evidenced by yesterday’s disaster against Synergy. ALL4ONE was OCS and gained a penalty for hitting the committee boat with its starboard stern. Azzurra has been steady in opening a 4-1 record and holding third place on the leaderboard. Skipper Francesco Bruni is happy with every aspect of his team, right down to the media personnel and chefs.

FLIGHT 14

M1: BMW Oracle Racing vs. Artemis

This match could well be for fourth place on the leaderboard, depending on how earlier matches fall. BMW Oracle will enter the start box on port tack aboard GBR-75 while Artemis comes in on starboard aboard FRA-93.

M2: TeamOrigin vs. Emirates Team New Zealand

Similarly, this match could well be for top honours in Round Robin 1, depending on how each team fairs in earlier matches. Team New Zealand will enter the start box on starboard tack aboard ITA-90 and TeamOrigin will come in on port aboard ITA-99.

FLIGHT 8

M2: BMW Oracle Racing vs. Synergy

This is a make-up match from an earlier flight. BMW Oracle will be aboard ITA-99 and enter the start box on port tack and Synergy will have starboard tack aboard ITA-90.

On a day where the leaders at the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Côte d’Azur kept pace with one another, it was the Synergy team of Russia that made the day’s headline.

Synergy, led by Polish skipper Karol Jablonski, scored an historic triumph by beating the French/German team ALL4ONE. Synergy got the early jump off the start line when ALL4ONE became entangled with the race committee boat (going OCS and earning a penalty for hitting the committee boat) and then sailed to a victory of 1 minute, 30 seconds.

“This is a great victory and great day for Russia,” said Maxim Logutenko, Synergy team manager. “It’s the first time Russia has won a race on this kind of boat. The start was a present for us, but in the rest of the race we did a good job. Karol did a great job helming and we’re happy with the crew work. We’re getting better and better.”

Only once before has Russia attempted to field a team for the Louis Vuitton Cup: That was in 1992, but the team never made the series. Synergy is here with an eye towards the future and the win was welcome because of the team’s hard luck the past few days.

On Sunday, it led Emirates Team New Zealand before “hitting the wall” just three lengths from the finish line and could only watch as the Kiwis sailed past to take the win. Yesterday, Synergy led Artemis up the first beat until the mainsheet broke. Such are the growing pains for a fledgling team.

“We’ve seen a broad spectrum of opportunities and happenstances. It’s been a good thing for the growth of the team,” said pitman Josh Belsky, the American who’s been on three America’s Cup-winning teams. “We’ve got some good international guys in key positions. We lack some horsepower; we’re probably the smallest team out here physically. But at the end of the day I look back and the owner, Valentin Zavadnikov, has a huge smile. He sees the potential for the future.”

At the top of the scoreboard, Emirates Team New Zealand kept its perfect record intact with a 23-second win in its lone match against Artemis of Sweden. Team New Zealand has 5 points on a 5-0 record.

Britain’s TeamOrigin, the only other undefeated team at 4-0, holds second place with 4 points. Italy’s Azzurra is third with 4 points on a 4-1 record, and BMW Oracle is fourth with 2 points on a 2-2 record.

Fifth is held by Artemis (2-3), which is followed by ALL4ONE (2-6), Synergy (1-4) and TFS – Pages Jaunes (0-6).

The wind conditions were again tricky on the Baie des Anges. The morning offshore flow died during Flight 9 and led to a lengthy postponement before the start of Flight 10. The day’s second flight was started in winds around 5 knots, and it was difficult for crews to pick a side of the racecourse. TeamOrigin’s lone win, with a decisive 2-minute delta over BMW ORACLE Racing, came in the trying conditions.

“It’s quite often a difficult decision to make whether you want to lose a lot to get the side you want, or whether you accept a close start on the un-favoured side,” said TeamOrigin skipper Ben Ainslie. “Today was like that. We had to make sure we didn’t lose too much in winning the left. We were a bit late and slow off the line, but it turned out to be the right decision.”

The interrupted schedule means teams are struggling to keep their consistency from day to day with the sometimes long stretches of inactivity.

“The toughest thing in this kind of racing is one day you sail two or three races and the next day you don’t sail at all,” said Azzurra skipper Francesco Bruni. “The key for our team is to keep our rhythm going, keep our concentration up.”

Tomorrow’s schedule

Flight 12

M1: Emirates Team New Zealand vs. BMW Oracle Racing

M2: Artemis vs. TeamOrigin

Flight 13

M1: TFS – Pages Jaunes vs. Synergy

M2: ALL4ONE vs. Azzurra

Flight 14

M1: BMW Oracle Racing vs. Artemis

M2: Emirates Team New Zealand vs. TEamOrigin

Flight 8

M2: BMW Oracle Racing vs. Synergy

FLIGHT 9

M1: Emirates Team New Zealand d. Artemis – Delta 23 seconds

Emirates Team New Zealand kept its position as the top team in tact with a workmanlike victory over Artemis of Sweden. The two yachts started the match on starboard tack, with Team New Zealand on the leebow of Artemis. The Swedish team helmsman Terry Hutchinson quickly tacked away to port and when the pair met for the first time on the racecourse they were in similar positions: Team New Zealand tacked on the leebow of Artemis. Kiwi skipper Dean Barker eventually got his crew to the right of Artemis in the top half of the beat and then covered into the windward mark. Team New Zealand led by 15 seconds at the first windward mark and then covered with deadly efficiency over the rest of the course to move to 5-0. Artemis fell to 2-3.

"There was always a little more pressure on the left," said Team New Zealand tactician Ray Davies of the first beat. "On the second beat the race committee moved the mark 10 degrees left, but the wind shifted right so it was always a little skewed."

Both teams move to the sideline for a few hours until Flight 12 when Team New Zealand is scheduled to race BMW Oracle Racing in Match 1, and Artemis takes on TeamOrigin in Match 2.

M2: ALL4ONE d. TFS – Pages Jaunes – Delta: 50 seconds

The combined French/German team ALL4ONE scored a similar workmanlike victory over partial compatriot team TFS – Pages Jaunes on Remembrance Day in France. TFS – Pages Jaunes skipper Bertrand Pace appeared to want the right side of the racecourse, even holding to the right of the committee boat with 20 seconds to the start. ALL4ONE helmsman Sebastien Col was content to take starboard onto the racecourse at mid-line while TFS – Pages Jaunes tacked away to port shortly after the start. ALL4ONE gained control of the match on the first windward leg and then never gave Pace and TFS – Pages Jaunes an opportunity to come back. ALL4ONE led by 14 seconds at the first windward mark, 27 seconds at the leeward gate and 38 seconds at the second windward mark. ALL4ONE now stands at 2-3, tied with Artemis for fifth but owning the tiebreak advantage by virtue of a head-to-head win. TFS – Pages Jaunes, a team formed in the two weeks leading up to this event, is at 0-5.

FLIGHT 10

M1: Azzurra d. Synergy – Delta: 1:09

M2: TeamOrigin d. BMW Oracle Racing – Delta: 2:01

Both matches in Flight 10 were plagued by light winds in the pre-start and on the first beats. Consequently, when the leaders were established on the first beat they were never threatened around the rest of the course. In fact, the two deltas were among the largest of the regatta.

The wins kept Azzurra and TeamOrigin apace with regatta leader Team New Zealand, which is undefeated at 5-0. TeamOrigin holds second with 4 points on a 4-0 record and Azzurra is third with 3 points on a 3-1 record. BMW Oracle fell to 2-2 and Synergy, another newly formed team, remained winless.

FLIGHT 11

Wind: 9-11 knots

Course range and bearing: 195 degrees, 1.3 NM

M1: Synergy d. ALL4ONE – Delta: 1:30

The Russian Synergy team picked up its first win in AC racing by defeating ALL4ONE. The French/German team committed a huge error in the pre-start when it was OCS. ALL4ONE also picked up a penalty for hitting the committee boat. ALL4ONE was on port tack and aiming amidships for the committee boat. When helmsman Seb Col hardened up to avoid a t-bone collision, the starboard transom hit the committee boat on its port transom. ALL4ONE performed its penalty turn on the finish line while the Synergy crew, led by Polish skipper Karol Jablonski, rejoiced in victory.

M2: Azzurra d. TFS – Pages Jaunes – Delta: 1:32

Azzurra strengthened its grip on third place with its win over TFS – Pages Jaunes. Despite the delta, this match was close around the first lap. Bertrand Pace and his French crew, formed just two weeks before the start of racing, were within one boatlength approaching the leeward gate. But the French crew had trouble hoisting the genoa at the gate and began the second beat bearheaded. Azzurra made a port rounding through the gate and quickly opened a 270-metre lead. Azzurra increased that advantage around the second lap for the win. The Italian crew has 4 points on a 4-1 record. TFS – Pages Jaunes remained winless in six matches.

FLIGHT 9

M1: Emirates Team New Zealand vs. Artemis

The Kiwis lead the regatta with 4 points on a perfect 4-0 record. Artemis helmsman Terry Hutchinson was the tactician for Team New Zealand during the 2007 Louis Vuitton Cup, helping them to the championship and a disheartening loss in the 32nd America’s Cup Match. Hutchinson was then dismissed, and hasn’t forgotten. Perceived slight or not, he’s got revenge on his agenda.

M2: ALL4ONE vs. TFS – Pages Jaunes

The battle for bragging rights in France includes a German component. ALL4ONE yesterday won its first match of the regatta, and skipper Jochen Schumann said they could’ve won two others if not for poor starting. TFS – Pages Jaunes is still looking for its first victory of the regatta and comes in with a 0-4 mark. TFS – Pages Jaunes has the favoured starboard tack in the pre-start.

FLIGHT 10

M1: Synergy vs. Azzurra

Synergy has earned the moniker of hard-luck team early in the event. The Russian crew led by Karol Jablonski lost a tough match to Team New Zealand when it ran into a “wall” 10 lengths from the finish line and the Kiwis sailed past for the win. Yesterday, the mainsheet broke during their match against Artemis while in the lead. Azzurra is placed third in the event with 2 points on a 2-1 record and needs a victory to keep pace with the top teams.

M2: TeamOrigin vs. BMW Oracle Racing

Yet another match sure to provide fireworks. TeamOrigin is second in the regatta with 3 points on a 3-0 record. Skipper Ben Ainslie has shown controlled aggression in the pre-start and yesterday cleaned out ALL4ONE. BMW Oracle Racing is fourth with 2 points on a 2-1 mark. Team CEO and skipper Russell Coutts, was  expected to return to the helm today, but that has been delayed and Gavin Brady will remain as helmsman.

FLIGHT 11

M1: Synergy vs. ALL4ONE

M2: TFS – Pages Jaunes vs. Azzurra

FLIGHT 12

M1: Emirates Team New Zealand vs. BMW Oracle Racing

M2: TeamOrigin vs. Artemis

Seasonal conditions returned today to the Bay of Angels off Nice and allowed race organisers for the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Côte d’Azur to reel off four flights of races, eight matches overall.

The flurry of races has helped give shape to the event scoreboard. Emirates Team New Zealand won its lone match of the day and remains the top dog with 4 points on a 4-0 record.

One point behind the Kiwis in second place is TeamOrigin of Great Britain. Skipper Ben Ainslie led the Union Jack to two victories today and now has 3 points on a 3-0 record.

Third place is held by Azzurra of Italy with 2 points on a 2-1 record. BMW ORACLE Racing won its two races today and is fourth in the standings with 2 points on a 2-1 record. Azzurra holds the tie-break advantage by virtue of its head-to-head win yesterday.

The Artemis team from Sweden holds fifth with 2 points on a 2-2 record and is followed by the French/German team ALL4ONE with 1 point on a 1-3 record. Russia Synergy (0-3) is seventh and TFS – Pages Jaunes (0-4) is eighth.

Today marked the first full day of racing at the Louis Vuitton Trophy regatta and the action was superb. An offshore breeze in the morning gave way to a southwesterly in the afternoon. The consistent conditions made for tight racing with the average delta in seven of the eight matches just 31 seconds.

TeamOrigin sailed two close matches, winning by an average of 22 seconds.

“The nice thing about today was that we had 12 to 13 knots of breeze on the racecourse, the most we’ve seen since we’ve been in Nice,” said TeamOrigin General Manager Mike Sanderson. “We’ve had relatively little practice in those conditions so every minute on the boat is really valuable for us.”

TeamOrigin’s second win came in the day’s final match against ALL4ONE, the host team for the regatta, when skipper Ainslie closed the door on his rival in the pre-start.

“We nearly nailed Ben before that, but it changed from one side to the other very quickly so we made a mistake there,” said Jochen Schümann, skipper of ALL4ONE. “We had some options just a second before that. That’s how close it is.”

The largest delta of the day was 2 minutes, 5 seconds, and it happened to occur in one of the most exciting matches – for half the race at least.

Azzurra and Artemis traded blows from the pre-start right through to the leeward gate. Azzurra got first blood when Artemis and helmsman Terry Hutchinson were penalised in the pre-start for not giving time and opportunity as a right-of-way boat. But the penalty was negated at the top of the first beat when Azzurra skipper Francesco Bruni tacked too close.

The Swedish-flagged team led by a slim half-length beginning the run and extended that advantage when the Azzurra crew had trouble lowering the genoa because of an issue with the halyard lock. The crewman in the rig, Gabriele Bruni, released the snap shackle and the sail fell to the deck, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

The problem prevented Azzurra from jibing to starboard with Artemis, which led to the Italian crew regaining the lead approaching the leeward mark. Azzurra took a slim lead through the leeward gate and then quickly extended when Artemis had a pair of bad tacks. Soon Azzurra built a lead it wouldn’t relinquish.

“We had a nice leeward mark rounding and it was very light at that point, and I think they had a bad tack or something happened and we extended from there,” said Tom Burnham, the Azzurra strategist. “It got pretty light and shifty and we did a good job of connecting the dots and rounded the windward mark pretty far ahead. They came into us on the final run with a bit more pressure off the shore, but we were being conservative.”

Tomorrow’s schedule

Flight 9

M1: Artemis vs. Emirates Team New Zealand

M2: ALL4ONE vs. TFS – Pages Jaunes

Flight 10

M1: Azzurra vs. Synergy

M2: BMW Oracle Racing vs. TeamOrigin

Flight 11

M1: ALL4ONE vs. Synergy

M2: Azzurra vs. TFS – Pages Jaunes

Flight 12

M1: Emirates Team New Zealand vs. BMW Oracle Racing

M2: Artemis vs. TeamOrigin

Flight 3

M1: TeamOrigin d. TFS – Pages Jaunes – Delta: 33 seconds

TeamOrigin and TFS – Pages Jaunes took split tacks onto the racecourse: TeamOrigin on starboard and TFS – Pages Jaunes on port. TeamOrigin won the first cross on port tack about halfway up the 1.3-nautical mile leg and then applied covering tactics on TFS – Pages Jaunes to the mark. TeamOrigin led at every mark rounding to move to 2-0 on the scoreboard while TFS – Pages Jaunes fell to 0-3.

M2: ALL4ONE d. Artemis – Delta: 28 seconds

This pair produced a proper match race, with covering tactics from the leading boat and attacking tactics from the trailing boat. In the end, the French/German team ALL4ONE scored its first win of the regatta in two matches in come-from-behind fashion. Artemis led the match around the first windward mark and through the leeward gate, where it chose to make a starboard rounding. That proved to be its undoing. ALL4ONE made a port rounding and took the lead as the mark was further upwind. ALL4ONE protected its starboard-tack advantage up the second beat, even dialing down Artemis at a crossing about three-quarters of the way up the leg.

It was the run to the finish that proved most exciting. Artemis trailed by 11 seconds at the windward mark and jibed to starboard soon after the rounding. It was the third convergence where the two were nearly bow-to-bow. Artemis had to jibe back to starboard to avoid fouling ALL4ONE, but hit a bad set of waves and the jibe went awry. The A2 spinnaker got twisted and ALL4ONE was able to open a three-boatlength lead, which it held to the finish. Both teams now stand at 1-1 on the scoreboard.

Flight 4

M1: BMW Oracle Racing d. ALL4ONE – Delta: 48 seconds

This match was the definition of irony for this regatta: BMW Oracle, sailing ALL4ONE’s FRA-93, defeated the combined French/German team. It was BMW Oracle’s first win of the regatta in two matches and ALL4ONE’s second loss in three matches.

Both crews started at the pin end of the line with BMW Oracle to leeward. ALL4ONE couldn’t live in BMWO’s dirty air and tacked away to port. At the first meeting BMW Oracle put a leebow tack on ALL4ONE, forcing the crew back to the right side. At the second meeting BMW Oracle was able to cross to the right. BMW Oracle opened its lead to nearly 100 metres proaching the windward mark, and was never threatened the rest of the match.

M2: Azzurra d. Artemis – Delta: 2:00

Paired in ITA-90 and ITA-99, this match was extremely close around most of the first lap. Artemis was penalised in the pre-start for failing to keep clear while Azzurra was pushing from behind. The two yachts started on starboard at the pin end, but Azzurra had the leeward position and Artemis had to tack away after clearing the start line. The pair engaged in a classic match race, trading tacks up the middle of the beat. Artemis was able to gain the lead at the top of the beat when it held starboard tack and rode Azzurra past the port-tack layline to the mark. On the last leebow tack Azzurra was deemed to have tacked too close and was penalized, offsetting Artemis’ penalty from the pre-start.

Both crews had clean hoists around the windward mark, but Azzurra had trouble lowering its genoa. The sail was up and robbing the A2 gennaker of wind for more than two minutes. Artemis was able to open its lead to 2 or 3 boatlengths, and then jibed to starboard. Artemis couldn’t jibe because it was still wrestling with the genoa. But that problem proved to be a saving grace.

Artemis, on starboard jibe, found a nice header but was too far to the left side of the racecourse (looking upwind). When it jibed back to port to approach the leeward gate, Azzurra was on the inside and jibed to port to cover. Azzurra led through the leeward gate by almost three boatlengths.

At the beginning of the second beat Artemis had two bad tacks and Azzurra opened a sizable lead that it maintained through to the finish.

Flight 5

M1: Emirates Team New Zealand d. Azzurra – Delta: 25 seconds

An anticipated match turned lacklustre when Azzurra was OCS at the start. The error was unforced on Italian skipper, Francesco Bruni, who had plenty of room to dip below the line to start properly. His resulting turn back allowed Team NZ to open a nearly 100-metre lead, which it extended throughout the match to extend its record to 4-0 at the top of the scoreboard.

M2: BMW Oracle Racing d. TFS – Pages Jaune – Delta: 44 seconds

BMW Oracle Racing won its second consecutive match over a French team. In Flight 4 BMW Oracle defeated ALL4ONE, the combined French/German team. In this match against skipper Bertrand Pacé, TFS – Pages Jaunes was penalised in the pre-start. The French led at the first windward mark by 7 seconds, but BMW Oracle took the lead on the run by rolling over the top of its opponent on starboard jibe. Pacé and crew kept the match close but had few opportunities to attack, and the delta became skewed when the French performed their 270-degree penalty turn on the finish line. BMW Oracle ran its record to 2-1 while TFS – Pages Jaunes remained winless in four matches.

Flight 6

M1: Artemis d. Synergy – Delta: 21 seconds

Artemis and Synergy took split tacks onto the racecourse with Artemis on starboard at the pin end and Synergy on port at the boat end. Artemis had a slim lead off the start line when, less than 3 minutes into the match, Synergy’s mainsail dumped. Crewmembers of the Russian yacht appeared to be running back towards the traveller area, but there was no confirmation on the cause of the problem. That mishap, however, allowed Artemis to open a two- to three-boatlength lead. The match stayed very close throughout, Synergy was just 9 seconds behind beginning the final leg, but skipper Karol Jablonski and crew never found an opportunity to pass. The win improved Artemis’s record to 2-2 while Synergy remained winless in three hard-luck matches.

M2: Team Origin d. ALL4ONE – Delta: 14 seconds

TeamOrigin helmsman Ben Ainslie took the game to his ALL4ONE counterpart Sebastien Col in the pre-start and came out smelling like roses. Ainslie crossed the start line at the gun while Col was left to tack to starboard off the stern of the committee boat. Ainslie opened the race with a four-boatlength lead, which was a critical margin given that the match was never separated by more than five lengths. ALL4ONE tried attacking on the first run, but TeamOrigin fended off every thrust, jab and parry. The deltas were 7 seconds at the first windward mark, 9 seconds at the leeward gate and 28 seconds at the second windward mark. It was an exciting race and perfect conclusion to the first full day of racing at the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Côte d’Azur.

A northerly wind this morning is producing cool temperatures of 9C (48F) in Nice as the wind blows cold air down from the snow capped Alpes-Maritimes. On the plus side the wind is between 8 and 10 knots and the sun is shining. Organisers are hoping for a active day of racing to pick up the pace get back towards schedule.

Flight 3

M1: TFS – Pages Jaunes vs. TeamOrigin

TFS – Pages Jaunes has sailed two races so far but remains winless. The crew put itself behind the eight ball on Sunday when it was OCS in its match against Artemis. TeamOrigin comes in with a 1-0 mark after having beaten Synergy on Saturday. This match could have fireworks in the pre-start because the respective helmsmen, Bertrand Pacé from TFS – Pages Jaunes and Ben Ainslie of TeamOrigin, know how to mix it up.

M2: ALL4ONE vs. Artemis

ALL4ONE suffered an inglorious start to its regatta when it was forced to withdraw from Sunday’s match against Team New Zealand when the webbing holding the mainsail aloft failed. The crew had to retire because it couldn’t re-hoist the sail. Artemis won its first race on Sunday against TFS – Pages Jaunes. The crew features a number of personnel from the AmericaOne team of 2000, including skipper/strategist Paul Cayard, helmsman Terry Hutchinson, tactician Morgan Larson and navigator Kevin Hall.

Flight 4

M1: ALL4ONE vs. BMW ORACLE Racing

After taking on Artemis, ALL4ONE has to turn around and take on BMW Oracle Racing. The U.S. team comes in with a 0-1 mark after losing yesterday to Azzurra of Italy.

M2: Artemis vs. Azzurra

This match promises to be entertaining as the two teams look to be considered among the players at this regatta. Azzurra scored an emphatic win of nearly 3 minutes yesterday over BMW Oracle Racing. Skipper Francesco Bruni termed it an important win for the team, which was witnessed by Yacht Club Costa Smeralda commodore Riccardo Bonadero. The match will be the second of the day for Artemis, which entered the day at 1-0.

Flight 5

M1: Azzurra vs. Emirates Team New Zealand

M2: BMW ORACLE Racing vs. TFS – Pages Jaunes

Flight 6

M1: Azzurra vs. Emirates Team New Zealand

M2: BMW Oracle Racing vs. TFS – Pages Jaunes

Azzurra scored the victory it was denied on Saturday when it defeated BMW ORACLE Racing of the U.S. Two days ago the Italian crew, led by skipper Francesco Bruni, was 200 metres from the finish line when the 20-minute leg time limit expired.

Today, the Italians scored an emphatic win of 2 minutes and 56 seconds to the pleasure of YCCS Commodore Riccardo Bonadero, who rode with his team as 18th man, and displeasure of BMW Oracle founder Larry Ellison, who was among his team’s afterguard.

“The team did a very good job all over the course,” said Bruni, the skipper from Sicily. “We didn’t feel robbed Saturday; we understand rules are rules. We wished the race committee had shortened the course, but we’re all learning. We are very happy about this point, it was very important for us.”

The two crews took split tacks onto the racecourse with BMW Oracle on starboard and Azzurra on port. Each crew got the side it wanted, but the wind shifted to the right and gave the Italians an advantage they wouldn’t relinquish.

“They got the first good shift and we were behind from there,” said BMW Oracle strategist Cameron Dunn of Australia. “We were happy coming off the line where we were, but the conditions were changing very quickly. When we came back at them the wind shifted right and they were wound up to layline. From there it was a soldier’s course, marching along. They sailed very well, so good on them.”

Emirates Team New Zealand entered its match against Russia’s Synergy Team with a perfect 2-0 mark while Synergy was 0-1. For a while it appeared that each team’s zero would be wiped from its scoreline. In the end this turned out to be the most exciting match of the regatta still in its early days.

Synergy led Team New Zealand by four to five boatlengths within 10 lengths of the finish line in very light and shifty winds. Then the Kiwis found a private puff and rolled over the top of the Russian team, which was dead in the water, and won by 22 seconds.

The Kiwis kept their record perfect at 3-0 and Synergy dropped to 0-2. The loss was crushing for Synergy skipper Karol Jablonski of Poland, who rallied his crew to lead the match after being over early at the start.

“Yeah it hurts,” said Jablonski, a match race world champion and three-time DN Ice Boat world champion. “I knew it was going to be tough to the finish because I could see the finish line and there was no wind at it. Everything can happen in one puff. We couldn’t do anything.”

The Kiwis kept their heads down and persevered. After rolling Synergy the spinnaker blew back into the rig, so the crew dropped it on deck and crossed the finish line without a headsail.

“We’ll take the point, but it’s not the kind of conditions we want to sail in,” said Dean Barker, Emirates Team New Zealand skipper. “We worked hard to get back at them. They would gain, then we would take back some of it, but it looked like there was no way around them.”

The two matches were the only ones completed as regatta organizers were once again frustrated by very light and shifty winds. Racing for the day was postponed at 1430 CET when the Bay of Angels was calm. Principal Race Officer Peter Reggio holds out the hope that tomorrow he can complete four flights, or eight races.

“If the breeze cooperates we can do four flights; that’s not an issue,” said Reggio. “We’re starting to see the sun shine now and we haven’t had that all weekend. We’re hoping the sun will do its work and make the area come true to form with a northerly in morning and southeasterly in afternoon.”

Tomorrow’s schedule

Flight 3

M1: TFS – Pages Jaunes vs. TeamOrigin

M2: ALL4ONE vs. Artemis

Flight 4

M1: ALL4ONE vs. BMW ORACLE Racing

M2: Artemis vs. Azzurra

Flight 5

M1: Azzurra vs. Emirates Team New Zealand

M2: BMW ORACLE Racing vs. TFS – Pages Jaunes

Flight 6

M1: Artemis vs. Synergy

M2: ALL4ONE vs. TeamOrigin

“This is why yachting lends itself so well to technology,” said Ian Taylor, the Executive Producer of New Zealand-based Animation Research, Ltd.. “With animation you can tell the story of how the race is progressing. Now, with live onboard commentary, the event can tell its own story.”

Play-by-play analysis is being provided by America’s Cup veteran Peter Lester of New Zealand, who’s in a studio watching the feed from off the water. The addition of Blackman’s onboard commentary takes viewers into the boat-on-boat action.

Blackman’s commentary added great insight during Team New Zealand’s match against Russia Synergy this morning, easily the most exciting match of the young regatta. The match featured an OCS and four lead changes, including one just 10 lengths from the finish when Team New Zealand rolled Synergy in its own private puff.

It also featured huge windshifts, which Blackman was able to talk viewers through as they happened.

“It was unbelievable. It was hero to zero and zero to hero,” said Blackman. “One of the hardest things is giving a description of the action and not your opinion. You can’t hear the skipper and tactician and strategist talking, but you can see the instruments. So you can relate the live wind conditions. As a viewer that’s the sort of stuff you don’t normally get.”

Blackman’s commentary is being fed to the production studio via cellphone, and Taylor is quick to credit Louis Vuitton for allowing them to push the boundaries of live coverage. The coverage has been well received in the far reaches of the world.

“The event sets a significant new benchmark in sailing with the first ever web broadcast using a mix of Virtual Eye and video, backed up with a superb commentary from Peter Lester and various media guests,” said Richard Gladwell, Editor of the Sail-World web site in New Zealand.

“While we are used to seeing this quality of broadcast on television, this standard is a first on the web, and one that runs without the usual stuttering reception that has been the bane of web broadcasting to date,” Gladwell said.

Taylor is so convinced that yachting is the perfect event for virtual broadcasts that he plans to present a paper at the World Yacht Racing Forum next month in Monaco stressing this point. He wants to see the rules relaxed to allow onboard commentary or microphones on the crewmembers to augment the virtual animation.

“In Formula 1 racing we can listen to Lewis Hamilton talking to his pit boss while going through a turn at 300 kilometers an hour and admire his skill in doing both things,” Taylor said. “In sailing, we’d like to listen to the crewman up the mast. That’s dangerous up there. He’s more than 30 metres off the water. But what’s he saying to the skipper? We want to know, and so do our viewers. If yachting is going to gather an audience, it’s got to wire the guys onboard.”

M1: Azzurra d. BMW ORACLE Racing – Delta: 2m:56s

Azzurra scored the victory it was denied on Saturday when it defeated BMW Oracle Racing. The crews took split tacks off the start line, with Azzurra heading right and BMW Oracle sailing to the left. Azzurra tacked to starboard on the right side of the course and into a lift. The Italian crew, led by skipper Francesco Bruni, won the first cross by about two boatlengths and never looked back.

M2: Emirates Team New Zealand d. Synergy – Delta: 25 seconds

This match easily was the most exciting of the regatta that is still in its early days. It featured an OCS and four lead changes in winds that shifted as much as 90 degrees and ranged in strength between 0 and 9 knots. In the end, Team New Zealand extended its winning streak to three races, but only due to the grace of a private puff in the final stages of the match.

Synergy seemed destined to claim its first win in two races. After being OCS at the start, Synergy passed the Kiwis on the first upwind leg and led around the first lap. The wind shifted around to the east/northeast on the first run, but Synergy was able to maintain its lead on the second upwind leg by being to the right of the Kiwis.

The Russian crew, led by Polish skipper Karol Jablonski, kept its lead more than three-quarters of the way down the run to the finish but then sailed into a “wall.” Team New Zealand still seemed done, but skipper Dean Barker and crew found a saving puff about 10 boatlengths from the finish line and sailed over the top of the Russian yacht, which was dead in the water. Less than two lengths from the finish the Kiwis’ spinnaker blew back into the rig, so the crew dropped the sail on deck and shot the finish line without a headsail.

The third day of the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Côte d’Azur has an aggressive slate of matches planned as the race committee hopes to get back on schedule.

Light and shifty winds frustrated the regatta on its opening weekend and allowed the completion of just four matches. Eight matches are planned today.

Aiding the effort is the return of the two Italian yachts ITA-90 and ITA-99. They were out of service over the weekend as damage to ITA-99 from a practice accident on Friday was repaired.

Racing is scheduled to begin at 0900 CET. The wind this morning is light from the north, and is forecast to shift to an onshore flow in the afternoon.

Flight 1

M1: Azzurra vs. BMW ORACLE Racing

This is a re-sail of the match that was abandoned on Saturday due to time limit constraints. Azzurra held a substantial lead over BMW Oracle Racing and was 200 metres from the finish line with the 20-minute leg time limit expired. Today, the crews square off in the same yachts they drew for that match; Azzurra aboard GBR-75 and BMW Oracle on FRA-93. To sweeten the story line, BMW Oracle Racing founder Larry Ellison is expected to be aboard. This will be the first race for both crews at the regatta.

M2: Emirates Team New Zealand vs. Synergy

Emirates Team New Zealand holds the early lead at the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Cote d’Azur with 2 points on a 2-0 record. The Kiwis are the only crew to have completed two races. Synergy lost its first race on Saturday against TeamOrigin mostly because it was penalised in the pre-start for failing to respond to a luff from the British.

Flight 3

M1: TFS – Pages Jaunes vs. TeamOrigin

TFS – Pages Jaunes has sailed two races so far but remains winless. The crew put itself behind the eight ball yesterday when it was OCS in its match against Artemis. TeamOrigin comes in with a 1-0 mark after having beaten Synergy on Saturday. This match could have fireworks in the pre-start because the respective helmsmen, Bertrand Pacé from TFS – Pages Jaunes and Ben Ainslie of TeamOrigin, know how to mix it up.

M2: ALL4ONE vs. Artemis

ALL4ONE suffered an inglorious start to its regatta when it was forced to withdraw from yesterday’s match against Team New Zealand when the webbing holding the mainsail aloft failed. The crew had to retire because it couldn’t re-hoist the sail. Artemis won its first race yesterday against TFS – Pages Jaunes. The crew features a number of personnel from the AmericaOne team of 2000, including skipper/strategist Paul Cayard, helmsman Terry Hutchinson, tactician Morgan Larson and navigator Kevin Hall.

Other matches scheduled include

Flight 4

M1: ALL4ONE vs. BMW ORACLE Racing

M2: Artemis vs. Azzurra

Flight 5

M1: Azzurra vs. Emirates Team New Zealand

M2: BMW ORACLE Racing vs. TFS – Pages Jaunes

By virtue of its second win in as many races Emirates Team New Zealand today grabbed the early lead at the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Côte d’Azur.

Team New Zealand leads overall with 2 points. Sweden’s Artemis and Great Britain’s TeamOrigin each have 1 point on 1-0 records.

Led by skipper Dean Barker, the venerable Team New Zealand defeated ALL4ONE in today’s first match. The combined French/German team, led by skipper and strategist Jochen Schümann of Germany, was forced to withdraw at the beginning of the second upwind leg when the webbing holding the mainsail aloft failed. Team New Zealand finished the race uncontested to score the point.

“We rounded the bottom mark and straight after the webbing on the mainsail broke,” said Spaniard Jordi Calafat, who mans the traveller for ALL4ONE. “I went up the rig hoping to fix it, but here was nothing to do. It’s very disappointing.”

The day’s second match, between Sweden’s Artemis and TFS – Pages Jaunes was similarly one-sided.

TFS – Pages Jaunes skipper Bertrand Pacé gifted an early lead to Artemis, led by Americans Paul Cayard (strategist) and Terry Hutchinson (helmsman), when he had to restart after being on the course side at the start gun.

TFS – Pages Jaunes then sailed into a windless hole on the left side of the first leg. The crew’s boatspeed dropped to 6 knots while Artemis sailed away at 9 knots. Artemis led by 75 seconds at the first mark and was never threatened over the next three legs. The nascent team won by 2 minutes, 17 seconds.

“It’s the first time we all sailed together as a crew,” said Cayard. “But Terry, myself, Morgan (Larson, tactician) and Kevin (Hall, navigator) all raced together with AmericaOne in 2000. We’re in different roles here and just getting used to each other.”

Aside from the three leaders, none of the other five teams has scored a point at the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Côte d’Azur. Two teams, Azzurra and BMW ORACLE Racing, haven’t completed a match yet while the three others, ALL4ONE (0-1), Synergy (0-1) and TFS – Pages Jaunes (0-2), are winless.

“We are a new crew, there are a lot of guys onboard new to these boats,” said Mathieu Richard, strategist for TFS – Pages Jaunes. “We made a mistake at the start today when we tacked to port in the pre-start. We were too close to the committee boat and had to luff up to avoid it. But it was not anchored and it was hard to judge where it was.”

The racing schedule has been thrown into disarray due to the unsettled weather pattern. Once again today, a light offshore wind in the morning succumbed to an onshore flow in the afternoon. But the afternoon breeze never built strong enough to allow for racing and, like yesterday, only two matches were completed.

“The conditions are tricky because the wind has been so light,” said Ray Davies, the tactician for Emirates Team New Zealand. “This can be a very variable place. With the potential for the mistral wind on either side, it creates very different conditions. But it’s what we expected.”

Event organisers hope to get back on schedule tomorrow with eight matches planned. The effort will be aided by the return of ITA-90 and ITA-99, the yachts on loan from Mascalzone Latino. ITA-99 was damaged in a practise accident last Friday, which put the pair out of commission for the weekend. But ITA-99 is now repaired, so tomorrow’s racing will have four boats on the water.

Tomorrow’s schedule

Flight 1

M1: Azzurra vs. BMW ORACLE Racing

M2: Emirates Team New Zealand vs. Synergy

Flight 3

M1: TFS – Pages Jaunes vs. TeamOrigin

M2: ALL4ONE vs. Artemis

Flight 4

M1: ALL4ONE vs. BMW ORACLE Racing

M2: Artemis vs. Azzurra

Flight 5

M1: Azzurra vs. Emirates Team New Zealand

M2: BMW ORACLE Racing vs. TFS – Pages Jaunes

(Note: Flight 2 has been completed)

Match 1: Emirates Team New Zealand d. ALL4ONE by DNF

Emirates Team New Zealand picked up its second win in as many matches when ALL4ONE was forced to drop out of this morning’s first match. After rounding the leeward gate ALL4ONE’s mainsail fell when the webbing holding the head of the sail to the halyard lock failed. The boom caused superficial damage to the starboard side steering wheel when it fell on it. Team New Zealand had led the match from the start and was approximately 40 seconds ahead at the leeward gate moments before the mishap. Team New Zealand completed the course unchallenged and upped its score to 2-0.

Match 2: Artemis d. Team Pages Jaunes, 2m:17s

The Swedish team Artemis, led by Americans Paul Cayard (skipper) and Terry Hutchinson (helmsman), scored its first point of the regatta by a comfortable margin. Team Pages Jaunes (née Team French Spirit), skippered by veteran Bertrand Pacé made it easy for Artemis by being OCS at the start. Later on the first beat Team Pages Jaunes sailed into a massive hole on the left side of the racecourse and was making only 5 to 6 knots boatspeed while Artemis was sailing at 9 knots. The Swedish-flagged team quickly increased its lead to more than 300 metres and was never threatened again.

Match 2 pits Artemis against TFS. Artemis, with Americans Paul Cayard and Terry Hutchinson in the afterguard, didn’t race yesterday while TFS and skipper Bertrand Pace look to rebound from a 1 minute, 36 second loss. Artemis will race in GBR-75 while TFS will enter the start box on starboard tack.

Match 3 has BMW ORACLE Racing going against Russia Synergy. BMW Oracle Racing is being helmed by Gavin Brady of New Zealand, who’s filling in for team CEO and skipper Russell Coutts until he returns on Monday. Russia Synergy helmsman Karol Jablonski looks to shake off the rust shown yesterday in his debut. He was penalized in his first pre-start action since the 2007 Louis Vuitton Cup in Valencia, Spain. Synergy will race GBR-75 while BMW Oracle enters on starboard tack.

Match 4 might be the most intriguing of the day with TeamOrigin taking on Azzurra of Italy. TeamOrigin and skipper Ben Ainslie opened the series yesterday with a victory, while Azzurra was denied a victory. The Italians and skipper Francesco Bruni sailed a masterful race against BMW Oracle only to have the 20-minute leg time limit expire on them 200 metres from the finish. Azzurra gets to sail GBR-75 while TeamOrigin will have the starboard advantage.

The wind conditions are forecast to be light and shifty again. An offshore flow in the morning will give way to an onshore flow in the afternoon, with the strength forecast no more than 8 knots.

Half of the opening day’s scheduled matches at the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Côte d’Azur were completed in conditions that challenged race officials and tended to favour the leading yachts.

Emirates Team New Zealand and TeamOrigin share the top spot on the leaderboard after scoring triumphs in light and shifty winds. Team New Zealand defeated TFS – Pages Jaunes by 59 seconds and TeamOrigin won by 1 minute, 36 seconds over Russia Synergy.

The wind was light and shifty all day as an offshore breeze battled a gradient wind. It ranged in strength between 3 and 10 knots while shifting between the southwest and north/northwest.

Match 1: TeamOrigin d. Russia Synergy, 59 seconds

The key moment in the match came in the pre-start when TeamOrigin helmsman Ben Ainslie drew a penalty on Russia Synergy helmsman Karol Jablonski. Russia Synergy was penalized for not responding to a luff from TeamOrigin when both boats were overlapped. The on-water umpires made it a red-flag penalty because Russia Synergy got a controlling position from the incident. Russia Synergy had to perform its 270-degree penalty turn once on the racecourse, which allowed TeamOrigin to gain control of the match. TeamOrigin stretched its lead to more than 4 minutes at the third mark rounding and then had to sweat out the victory due to a 60-degree windshift near the finish.

Match 2: Emirates Team New Zealand d. TFS – Pages Jaunes, 1m:36s

A spirited pre-start resulted in a split tack start with Emirates Team New Zealand starting on starboard tack and TFS – Pages Jaunes on port tack. Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker held control of the match throughout, rarely giving his counterpart on TFS – Pages Jaunes, Bertrand Pacé, a chance to come back. Team New Zealand’s biggest lead was 1 minute, 39 seconds at the leeward gate.

Quotes

Mike Sanderson, TeamOrigin, General Manager

It got a little tense at the end. It was a little bit worrying because it got as light as 3 knots and we saw a 60-degree wind shift. It’s going to be a big part of this event, who can wriggle their way through those situations. Ben (Ainslie, skipper) did a nice job off the start line, getting the red-flag penalty. The rule’s pretty clear that they have to get out of there when we luff. They were lucky not to get two.

Dean Barker, Emirates Team New Zealand, Skipper

It was a very hard day. Adam (Beashel, strategist) was up the rig and having difficulty assessing which side was better. It was difficult because the wind never established a gradient flow. We preferred the left initially, then wanted the right but there was no clear pattern. We had 6 to 7 knots at the start. It was down to 3 to 4 knots at times and up to 8 to 9 knots. I think we were always in control, but it’s hard to close races out when you sail in those conditions.

Tomorrow’s schedule

Racing tomorrow begins with the combined French/German team ALL4ONE taking on Emirates Team New Zealand. Other scheduled matches include Artemis versus TFS – Pages Jaunes, BMW ORACLE Racing versus Russia Synergy and TeamOrigin versus Azzurra.

An 8-knot north/northwesterly was blowing on the Baie des Anges, or Bay of Angels, this morning close to shore, but farther offshore the wind was more from the southwest. The forecast has it increasing this afternoon to 16 knots from the southwest.

The first match this morning sees TeamOrigin and its golden skipper Ben Ainslie taking on Russia Synergy, a new team to AC class racing. Ainslie has won three gold medals in the Olympics and is a formidable foe for Russia Synergy, which is led by Poland’s Karol Jablonski as skipper. Jablonski is no slouch, however, having won the match racing world championship and three DN Ice Boat Gold Cup championships.

Synergy will race GBR-75 while TeamOrigin is aboard FRA-93 and enters the start box from the starboard end.

The scheduled 0900 warning signal was postponed for 10 minutes when the clew ring on TeamOrigin’s A2 headsail pulled off. The sail was replaced and a new warning signal was scheduled for 0910.

POSTED: 0940 CET

TeamOrigin led Synergy at the first windward mark by 46 seconds. Synergy started at the pin end of the start line, but had to perform an 270-degree penalty turn after entering the racecourse due to a red flag penalty in the pre-start. A red flag means the penalty must be completed at the soonest possible moment. Lacking a red flag, the penalty may be completed at any time prior to finishing.

POSTED: 1000 CET

TeamOrigin sailed as much as a knot faster on the first run of its match against Russia Synergy and has opened a comfortable advantage at the leeward gate. Russia Synergy trailed by 2:04 at the gate, a loss of more than 1 minute on the 2-mile run.

POSTED: 1018 CET

TeamOrigin kept its foot on the throat of Russia Synergy up the second beat and increased its lead to 4:06 at the second windward mark. The wind has faded to about 5 knots from the north/northwest. The two crews are on the run to the finish.

POSTED: 1033 CET

With the Bay of Angels virtually calm skipper Ben Ainslie led TeamOrigin across the finish line at 1026.32 to win Match 1 of the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Côte d'Azur. Russia Synergy finished 1:03 behind. Synergy made a big gain on the final run due to a windshift, but was too far behind to overcome the 4-minute deficit at the last windward mark.

The next scheduled match is Emirates Team New Zealand versus TFS -- Pages Jaunes, but it is currently under postponement. The wind on the Bay of Angels has died away to almost nothing. The forecast calls for the wind to build up to 15 knots from the southwest this afternoon.

The Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Côte d’Azur, the inaugural event of the World Sailing Teams Association, is scheduled to begin tomorrow with four matches featuring all eight teams planned on the Baie de Anges, or Bay of Angels, off Nice.

Match 1 pits England’s TeamOrigin versus start-up Russia Synergy with the warning signal scheduled for 0900.

TeamOrigin features four-time Olympic medallist Ben Ainslie as skipper and helmsman and three-time medallist Iain Percy as tactician. The team is loaded with experience and placed fifth at the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series last February in New Zealand.

“We started well at that event but had our issues at the end,” said Ainslie. “The format here is different from in New Zealand since the home team doesn’t advance to the final, so every race counts. We’ll have to be wide awake tomorrow morning.”

Synergy is a new team from a country, Russia, not known for its expertise in professional sailing. But the team has valued experience on the helm in Karol Jablonski of Poland and tactician Rod Dawson of New Zealand.

Jablonski led Spain’s Desafio Español to a third-place finish at the 2007 Louis Vuitton Cup while Dawson has won a plethora of match race regattas. Still, Synergy has its work cut out in its first appearance in America’s Cup sloops.

“It will be a great day for everyone. It’s the first time Russia sails such a boat,” said Synergy general manager Maxim Logutenko. “We don’t think about the results tomorrow. It’s sport and we’ll try to beat them, but we don’t worry about the results. It’s a big day for Russia sailing.”

Synergy got a break at tonight’s draw for boats when it selected GBR-75 over FRA-93. GBR-75 was the preferred yacht for every team that got to choose. TeamOrigin, however, will enter the start box on the favoured starboard tack.

The wind tomorrow is expected to blow up to 15 knots in the morning before increasing to 25 knots or more in the afternoon. That might put an early halt to racing as the organisers are concerned with the sea state and the damage the AC sloops could incur from shock loading.

Other races scheduled tomorrow pit Emirates Team New Zealand against TFS – Pages Jaunes in Match 2 and ALL4ONE against Artemis in Match 4.

Match 3 features BMW ORACLE Racing of the U.S. against Azzurra of Italy. BMW Oracle Racing is a founding member of the WSTA and a well-known brand in professional racing.

The Azzurra team enjoyed prominence in 1983 when it was the first Italian syndicate to compete in the Louis Vuitton Cup. Now it has a new skipper and helmsman in Francesco Bruni, the 27th ranked match-racer on the ISAF Open Match Race Rankings list issued 28 Oct., 2009. Bruni has the unenviable task of taking on the mighty BMW Oracle team.

“We have a double responsibility: to carry the Azzurra name and to take the fight to BMW Oracle,” said Bruni, from Palermo, Sicily. “We are very calm about our match tomorrow. We feel our training has gone well and we are comfortable with the manoeuvres. We feel we can face anyone and are happy to take on BMW Oracle.”

Azzurra will race GBR-75 while BMW Oracle, which will be helmed by Gavin Brady of New Zealand, will enter the start box at the starboard end.

The event schedule was thrown into flux this morning when ITA-99, one of two sloops on loan from Italy’s Mascalzone Latino team, was damaged during practice on the Bay of Angels.

“It’s an unfortunate situation, but these crews always push at the highest limits,” said Bruno Troublé, spokesperson for the WSTA. “Even in practice, they’re always trying to gain an edge. We’re confident that the boat can be repaired and will return to racing soon.”

The combined French/German team ALL4ONE was sailing ITA-99 when it clipped the transom of the race committee boat. The mishap put a two-meter cut in the starboard side of the hull.

Twenty members of the Mascalzone shore team are on site and some have been working on the repair all day. The yacht could return to action as soon as Monday.

“It’s a practise accident, which is not good, we’re trying to make every effort to fix it,” said Jochen Schuemann, ALL4ONE skipper. “There is a cut on the outer skin. It is a big cut but should be possible to fix.”

The two teams were meant to practice this afternoon, but strong winds postponed the session. Instead, the trio began discussing how to get the most out of tomorrow morning’s session because the wind is forecast to build again tomorrow afternoon.

“We want to put the sails up, go upwind for a bit, then sail back downwind and meet you for some pre-start practice and racing,” said Schümann, the new skipper of the former K-Challenge team.

“We’d be willing to get right into it,” said the ever-aggressive Hutchinson.

Such is the air of openness and cooperation at the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Côte d’Azur. There are no boundaries at this match race regatta. The teams are here to race with the only agenda being victory.

“This event has value,” Hutchinson said. “The teams just want to go sailing.”

Sailing, however, has been problematic. Practice sessions were scheduled every morning and afternoon this week, but the wind and the sea state build quickly on the Bay of Angels off Nice. And it’s the sea state that has organizers most concerned with regards to shock loading the America’s Cup sloops.

“We’re trying to make the boats as even and reliable as we can make them,” said Laurent Esquier, CEO of the World Sailing Teams Association for the Nice event. “We have 40 shore crew here to work on the boats and sails, but the less damage the better.”

The draw for boats and ends of the starting line will take place tomorrow evening at an opening ceremony at the Nice Opera House, and is expected to be attended by the Mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, who also holds the titles of president of the region Nice Côte d’Azur and minister of industry for France.

The first warning signal is scheduled for 0900 on Saturday.

In a ceremony this evening buffeted by strong winds Benoit Kandel, the deputy mayor of Nice, handed over a slew of bikes to the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Côte d’Azur, represented by Bruno Troublé, at the race village at the Port of Nice.

Joining Kandel and Troublé at the ceremony was Miss Côte d’Azur, Anais Governatori, as well as members of the sailing teams participating in the match race regatta that is scheduled to begin Saturday and run through 22 November.

The City of Nice has provided 200 bicycles to the event for use by the sailors and event staff. Kandel thanked the teams for coming to Nice, which is hoping to gain prominence on the international yachting calendar. In September the IMOCA 60s made Nice a stopover in a race that originated in Turkey and finished in Brest, France.

“Louis Vuitton has a long history with the city of Nice,” said Troublé, who has organized the Louis Vuitton Cup, the Challenger Selection Series for the America’s Cup, since 1983. “Louis Vuitton opened its first store in Nice in 1908 and is very proud to host this event here in this wonderful town.”

Today also marked the opening of the International Media Center, which can accommodate journalists in four different languages; English, French, Italian and Russian.

Practice sessions today were cancelled due to the strong winds from the west/west-northwest that blew between 20 and 25 knots. Organizers are concerned with the sea state such winds generate, which can create huge shock loads on the America’s Cup sloops.

The eight teams entered in the match race regatta have been practicing this week while tents and scaffolding were being erected in the race village at the Port of Nice. A giant TV screen is in place so that spectators can watch the waterborne action from the shoreside.

While some of the teams will be familiar to race fans the sailors will be even more familiar. World and Olympic champions such as Ben Ainslie (TeamOrigin), Dean Barker (Emirates Team New Zealand), Paul Cayard (Artemis), Tommaso Chieffi (Azzurra), Russell Coutts (BMW ORACLE Racing), Karol Jablonski (Synergy), Bertrand Pacé (French Spirit) and Jochen Schümann (ALL4ONE) are skipper and/or helmsman of their respective teams.

Suffice to say they’re among the best of the best. Barker, Cayard, Chieffi, Coutts and Schümann are all past winners of the Louis Vuitton Cup, the trophy awarded to the winner of the Challenger Selection Series for the America’s Cup.

“Artemis is looking forward to competing against the best teams in sailing in Nice over the next two weeks,” said Artemis skipper Cayard, who won the Louis Vuitton Cup in 1992 and was a finalist in 2000. “We are a new team but we are keen competitors. We’ll see.”

Inaugural event of the WSTA

The Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Côte d’Azur is the inaugural event of the World Sailing Teams Association. Founded in September, the WSTA is a group of professional sailing teams that have banded together in an effort to create consistent exposure.

“Basically it has been an achievement to organise such an event in such a short time frame,” said Stephane Kandler, head of the ALL4ONE syndicate (née K-Challenge), a founding member of the WSTA and the host team for the regatta.

“The venue looks very good, very international,” Kandler continued. “We’re hoping for good weather conditions. Everything is very positive despite the fact it was completed in a short time frame. It will be a great event.”

Joining ALL4ONE are Artemis (SWE), Azzurra (ITA), BMW ORACLE Racing (USA), Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), Synergy Russian Sailing Team (RUS), Team French Spirit (FRA) and TeamOrigin (GBR).

Four yachts in play

The WSTA event is designed to be a cost-effective format for the teams. They do not bring their boats to the event. Rather, the four boats being used in Nice are on loan from three teams: ALL4ONE (FRA-93), Mascalzone Latino (ITA-90, ITA-99) and TeamOrigin (GBR-75). The boats have been equalised as much as possible to create a level playing field that will test the sailors’ skill more than their boat’s speed.

“We’ve mainly had to re-cut the mainsails and headsails,” said Laurent Esquier, chief executive of the WSTA for the event in Nice and a past manager of multiple America’s Cup syndicates. “We’re concerned each pair is as even as possible.”

In a move harkening to the Louis Vuitton Acts of 2005, the boats sit in their cradles without skirts shrouding the keels. Spectators quickly notice the lack of wings on the ballast bulbs. The wings add efficiency to the yacht’s performance, but have been discarded for the racing.

“The mainsails have been cut down so we don’t need the wings,” said Esquier. “It makes the yachts more affordable to maintain and less prone to damage.”

Two rounds robin are planned beginning Saturday before the fleet is split into groups for the semifinal and consolation racing. The final is scheduled 21-22 November.

The official event Web site is live at www.LouisVuittonTrophy.com. Follow the site for live tracking of race, video and audio reports and daily updates. The Web site can also be viewed through your mobile phone.

Mascalzone’s black-hulled ITA-90 and ITA-99 arrived on a cargo ship in their cradles and with masts stepped.

The two black-hulled America’s Cup Class yachts join ALL4ONE’s FRA-93 and TeamOrigin’s GBR-75 as the four yachts for the upcoming match racing regatta, scheduled Nov. 7-22. FRA-93 and GBR-75 were towed to Nice last week.

Eight teams are entered in the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Cote d’Azur, the inaugural event of the World Sailing Teams Association. They’ll sail a two-week regatta consisting of a round robin, knockout round, semifinals and final.

The teams include ALL4ONE (nee K-Challenge), Azzurra (from the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda), BMW Oracle Racing, Emirates Team New Zealand, Swedish Challenge Artemis, Synergy Russian Sailing Team, TeamOrigin and Team French Spirit.