2-2 Square

Today's race started on time, with the wind just above 10 kts and temperatures as high as 23 degrees Celcius. Both teams had a good start but alinghi was better, and soon moved away from the Kiwis, half way up the first mark, with over 50 metres difference. A left shift helped the Kiwis shorten the distance down to 20 and later to 10 metres. Both boats sailing by the port layline. SUI-100 tacks and a few seconds later, the NZL-92 tacks too. Although the wind shifted left, in favour of the Kiwis, alinghi pass the wether mark 20 seconds ahead. The Kiwis go for a gybe-set and alinghi gybes in defence. SUI-100 appears to be faster, but NZL-92 takes metres out after each manoeuvre. One bad gybe from the Kiwis, gives a 150 metres advantage to the Swiss. Upwind the difference went up to five boatlengths although the wind fell to 8 knots. In a tacking duel, the Swiss tried to push the Kiwis off the layline. Rounding 25 seconds behind, the Kiwis go again for a gybe-set. In the final downwind, although the Kiwis fight to better their position, alinghi holds the 25 seconds delta. So, alinghi wins the fourth race by 30 seconds, squaring the series 2-2.