The Jury has ruled in the protest between +39 Challenge and United Internet Team Germany and awarded redress to the Italian team.
Two races were completed on schedule on Friday as ideal racing conditions returned to Valencia. Both Alinghi and Luna Rossa posted strong results on the day; each earning a pair of top three finishes. The Defender, Alinghi has now won three of five races and consolidated its position at the top of the table with a win and a second place.
The wind was building throughout the day, from 10 knot Easterlies up to nearly 15 knot Northeasterlies. The wind conditions were more typical of what Valencia provides in the summer, but with an unusual large swell running, some boats suffered.
BMW ORACLE Racing had an issue with its genoa track during the second race. As the team tried to pull up its headsail after the first run, the sail pulled out of the track, damaging it to such an extent that the team couldn't raise a genoa for the remainder of the race. China Team sailed most of the second race without a mainsail due to equipment problems.
On the water, Alinghi continued its dominant performance in Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 13, posting a second place to go with a fourth race victory, to win its fourth consecutive fleet racing Act.
The home team, Desafío Español, pleased the holiday weekend crowds by winning the first race of the day, whilst Shosholoza accomplished its goal for Act 13 - the South Africans finished seventh in Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 13, which was good enough for Shosholoza to overhaul the French Areva Challenge on the Louis Vuitton Ranking, snatching a bonus point.
With Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 13 completed, the final opening act has been sailed, and the Louis Vuitton Ranking for challengers is complete. Based on this ranking, the challengers have been assigned bonus points which they'll carry with them into the Louis Vuitton Cup.
At the top of the table is Emirates Team New Zealand who won the ranking by 11 points over BMW ORACLE Racing. The Kiwis will now take four bonus points with them into the Round Robin portion of the Louis Vuitton Cup. Luna Rossa Challenge, BMW ORACLE Racing and Desafío Español have earned three bonus points.
