It took two come-from-behind victories for BMW ORACLE Racing to stay equal with the red hot Luna Rossa Challenge on Wednesday on a double flight day at the Louis Vuitton Cup. The American team first trailed Shosholoza and then Victory Challenge on the first lap of its two races, before making the pass in both contests to score the points.
Luna Rossa Challenge, in contrast, had more straightforward wins over United Internet Team Germany and Shosholoza. The Italians and the Americans are tied at the top of the Louis Vuitton Cup leaderboard, equal on 27 points.
Racing took place after a short postponement in 7 to 11 knots of wind which started as a Southerly, before shifting Southeast. Flight 5 of Round Robin Two is scheduled for Thursday.
In flight 3 China Team and Victory Challenge's match was one sided as the Chinese suffered problems with their mainsail. Desafío Español out-paced Areva Challenge up the first beat to make the first rounding 43 seconds ahead and despite a last minute attack from the French team, managed to win by 30 seconds. Similarly Emirates Team New Zealand made its win against +39 Challenge look relatively easy, taking the win by 45 seconds, with Formula One legend Michael Schumacher in the 18th man position at the back of the boat.
In flight 4 Emirates Team New Zealand led Areva Challenge by a small margin around the entire course, eventually winning by 59 seconds. Team Shosholoza was unable to repeat its Round Robin 1 win over Luna Rossa, losing by 25 seconds, while United Internet Team Germany had a comfortable win over China Team. BMW ORACLE Racing also trailed Victory Challenge around the race course. The two boats sailed the nerve-racking final run neck and neck. In the end it was BMW ORACLE Racing which prevailed. In the Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team vs Desafío Español match, the Italians managed to keep their nose ahead around the second lap to finish 35 seconds in front putting a stop to their string of losses.
Louis Vuitton Cup - Round Robin 2
1. BMW ORACLE Racing (USA 98)
1. Luna Rossa Challenge (ITA 94)
3. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL 92)
4. Desafío Español 2007 (ESP 97)
5. Victory Challenge (SWE 96)
6. Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia (ITA 99)
7. Team Shosholoza (RSA 83)
8. Areva Challenge (FRA 93)
9. +39 Challenge (ITA 85)
10. United Internet Team Germany (GER 89)
11. China Team (CHN 95)
