Emirates Team New Zealand update - four days, two races

Emirates  Team New Zealand sailed only one of its scheduled three races on Day 4 of the La Maddalena Louis Vuitton Trophy regatta. 

It was the match against Luna Rossa (Italy) the fifth scheduled for a day that race  officials had hoped would feature 10 races.

Bedevilled by an uncooperative breeze on the first three days of the regatta, they were hoping Tuesday’s breeze would help them get the regatta back on schedule.

Five flights, each of two races, were planned. Emirates Team New Zealand was to race in three of them – in flight 12 against Luna Rossa , and then in two flights abandoned on the first day. Flight two against BMW Oracle (USA)  and flight 3 against Artemis (Sweden).

But yacht racing is never that simple.

The round robin schedule was put further back when  Aleph (France) and Azzurra  (Italy) collided in the pre-start of their match – the fourth scheduled.

They were racing in the  Oracle yachts – USA 98 and USA 87. Aleph, skippered by Bertrand Pace, collided with the starboard quarter on Azzurra, skippered by Francesco Bruni.

Damage was extensive to the bow of USA 98 and to the stern of USA 87.  Both yachts returned to the dock, as race officials worked to re-arrange the race schedule as it was evident that neither yacht would race again for at least a few days.

Late in the afternoon, BMW Oracle Racing shore crew were still assessing the damage this afternoon and planning a repair programme.

The Emirates Team New Zealand race in the Mascalzone Latino yachts (ITA 99 and ITA 90) was almost an anti-climax.  The start was delayed while a damaged mainsail was replaced on to the Emirates Team New Zealand boat.

The light and shifty breeze called the shots. Luna Rossa sailed well, Emirates Team New Zealand kept it close and worked on creating opportunities. The lead changed on both beats, but the winds shifts ultimately favoured the right which Luna Rossa controlled.

The delta at the finish favoured Luna Rossa by 13 seconds.