Spithill leads as Coutts is late arrival

News from the opening rounds of the Nations Cup match racing

Thanks to a westerly, 10 knot wind, today it was possible to hold 8 of the 30 qualification regattas scheduled.

The Luna Rossa crew, lead today by James Spithill (winner of the 2003 Nations Cup) leads the provisional results with three victories in three regattas.

Paolo Cian's Italian Challenger and Emirates Team New Zealand are neck and neck with two victories each. Paolo Cian beat the New Zealanders and the Italian Toscana Challenge, lead by Roberto Ferrarese but was beaten by Mascalzone Latino with John Cutler at the helm.

Emirates Team New Zealand, skippered by Kelvin Harrap beat Toscana Challenge and Mascalzone Latino but were in turn beaten by Luna Rossa and Italian Challenger.

With only one point gained in three regattas Mazcalzone Latino, which has so far only managed to beat Italian Challenger, is waiting for their official helmsman, Vasco Vascotto, who will not be able to arrive from Spain before Thursday. He has just signed a very important agreement between King Carlos and Mascalzone Latino for the America's Cup in Valencia in 2007.

Toscana Challenge and Team Russell Coutts have yet to show results having won no victories. In fact the latter had to wait out of the water for their helmsman and only managed to see the impressive Giulian coastline at 4.30 this afternoon.

Coutts have made no comment regarding his break from from the Swiss team, Alinghi, current holders of the America Cup.

In fact they will be the first to enter the water tomorrow, around midday, to go against another of his old team - Emirates Team New Zealand. This race was initially scheduled for today but was postponed until tomorrow.