Oracle demolishes competition

Michelle Slade reports from day two of the Il Moro Trophy regatta in San Francisco

While still holding first place in the Grand Prix division at the end of day two of the Il Moro Trophy regatta, Oracle BMW Racing finally got a taste of competition in the second race as USA-49 finished just 30 seconds behind USA-76. A favourable shift to Oracle BMW Racing just at the finish gave that team the winning advantage and made for awesome spectator viewing on the Bay. In the vintage class, the beautifully restored NZL-20 sits in first place at the end of day two.

Peter Stoneberg and his team on board the 2000-generation USA-49 made time on USA-76 on the last beat. USA-76 were forced to make several gybes in very light air and in a strong ebb in Racoon Straits, while Stoneberg’s team were well positioned to catch a nice right shift exiting the Straits which put them neck to neck with Oracle BMW Racing. “We had a great race and saw 16 knots of boat speed on USA-49 coming across the Bay in about 23 knots of breeze,” said Stoneberg.

In the vintage class, USA-11 Team Wells Fargo, helmed by John Sweeney won race 1 with NZL-20 taking a first in the second race. Team Archipel, helmed by Mary Coleman, retired from race 2 after tearing a jib.

Once again, San Francisco turned on perfect conditions, some early morning fog made for light air of 13-15 knots in race 1. The fog burned off, the sun came out and the breeze built giving the yachts a full range of wind strength from 7 to 23 knots in race two.

Two races are scheduled for tomorrow, Sunday July 27. Scheduled start-time 10:00 am, weather permitting. The Il Moro Trophy regatta is organized by The Challenge Series and hosted by the Sausalito Yacht Club.

Race 1

Grand Prix Division

Place Yacht Time Team
1st USA-76 01:35:42 Oracle BMW Racing (Larry Ellison)
2nd USA-49 01:39:07 Peter Stoneberg

Vintage Division

Place Yacht Time Team
1st USA-11 01:45:40 Team Wells Fargo (John Sweeney and Tina Kleinjan)
2nd NZL-20 01:47:40 Karie and David Thomson
3rd ITA-1 01:53:40 Team Paul & Shark (Tom Thayer and Dick Watts)
4th NZL-14 02:01:03 Team Archipel Wines (Mary Coleman)

Cumulative Point Standings

Grand Prix Division
USA-76 3
USA-49 6

Vintage Division
NZL-20 4
USA-11 5
ITA-1 9
NZL-14 12


Race 2

Grand Prix Division

Place Yacht Time Team
1st USA-76 01:29:49 Oracle BMW Racing (Larry Ellison)
2nd USA-49 01:30:19 Peter Stoneberg

Vintage Division

Place Yacht Time Team
1st NZL-20 01:36:15 Karie and David Thomson
2nd USA-11 01:39:58 Team Wells Fargo (John Sweeney and Tina Kleinjan)
3rd ITA-1 01:45:33 Team Paul & Shark (Tom Thayer and Dick Watts)
4th NZL-14 DNF Team Archipel Wines (Mary Coleman)

Cumulative Point Standings

Grand Prix Division
USA-76 4
USA-49 8

Vintage Division
NZL-20 5
USA-11 7
ITA-1 12
NZL-14 16