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America's Cup begins with drama
Source: Agencies |
February 13, 2010, Saturday
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THE America's Cup showdown between the United States and Switzerland finally began yesterday, and each of the powerhouse sailing teams made an early critical mistake on the Mediterranean Sea.
American challenger BMW Oracle Racing's 90-by-90-foot trimaran, USA, flew into the starting box with its windward and center hulls out of the water on a cold, clear day in Valencia, Spain, a breathtaking sight after the race had been postponed by unfavorable conditions on Monday and Wednesday.
USA helmsman Jimmy Spithill entered on favored starboard tack and steered straight at Alinghi 5, representing two-time defending champion Alinghi of Switzerland. The Swiss wanted to sail in front of USA, but didn't have enough speed and both boats had to tack. USA raised a protest flag, and the umpire in a trailing boat concurred.
That meant the equally immense catamaran of Alinghi 5 had have to perform a 270-degree turn at some point in the 40-mile race. Spithill somehow stalled USA, and Alinghi 5 sprinted off the line ahead.
But the American boat, which features a radical, 223-foot wing sail, slowly closed the gap and overtook Alinghi 5 on the 20-mile first leg into the wind. The opening race of the best-of-three series will finish with a 20-mile downwind leg.
American challenger BMW Oracle Racing's 90-by-90-foot trimaran, USA, flew into the starting box with its windward and center hulls out of the water on a cold, clear day in Valencia, Spain, a breathtaking sight after the race had been postponed by unfavorable conditions on Monday and Wednesday.
USA helmsman Jimmy Spithill entered on favored starboard tack and steered straight at Alinghi 5, representing two-time defending champion Alinghi of Switzerland. The Swiss wanted to sail in front of USA, but didn't have enough speed and both boats had to tack. USA raised a protest flag, and the umpire in a trailing boat concurred.
That meant the equally immense catamaran of Alinghi 5 had have to perform a 270-degree turn at some point in the 40-mile race. Spithill somehow stalled USA, and Alinghi 5 sprinted off the line ahead.
But the American boat, which features a radical, 223-foot wing sail, slowly closed the gap and overtook Alinghi 5 on the 20-mile first leg into the wind. The opening race of the best-of-three series will finish with a 20-mile downwind leg.
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