Wind stops play - almost

The only match completed on day eight of the Louis Vuitton was Orn v Luna Rossa

Virginia Page recounts what happened in the cancelled race between GBR Challenge and the Italians aboard Mascalzone Latino

On the final beat of a closely contested race against Mascalzone Latino,
the fickle breeze died, causing the race to be abandoned. GBR Challenge
were under pressure at the start, as the Italian team revelled in the light conditions to take better pace off the line and lead up the first beat.

The British team put constant pressure on ITA 72 and eventually passed on the second upwind leg. Wight Lightning extended until the final leeward mark, but with the wind dropping the race appeared to be turning into a lottery.

Mascalzone Latino found slightly better pressure on the right hand side of the course, to regain the lead, but in the ever-decreasing breeze, the Italians were unable to round the mark inside the 45 minute time limit.

In 10 knots of breeze at the start, GBR Challenge entered from port and a series of dialups above the line saw the teams contest the favoured pin end of the line. On the fourth dial-up, the Italian team took better speed out of the manoeuvre whilst both boats headed for the pin. GBR 70 struggled to lay the pin, losing speed as she rounded and allowing ITA 72 to gain the initiative at the start.

Up the first beat, the British had slightly better speed but Mascalzone Latino held the right and continually rebuffed GBR70’s attacks by tacking on top to force Wight Lightning away. At the windward mark, the Italian team had a lead of 14 seconds.

On the first run, the British attacked up the left hand side and initially appeared to have overtaken Onorato’s team but the Italians were able to gybe inside GBR 70 and lead into the bottom mark. ITA 72 rounded with an 11 second lead but continued on starboard tack whilst Ado Stead called a tack to the right hand side of the course. The move paid off as GBR Challenge sailed higher and faster to gain the lead and control of the race and force the Italians off on each potential cross.

Wight Lightning took a 46 second lead into the run, and extended by another ten seconds at the leeward mark.

The final beat turned into a lottery, as the teams sailed into a glassy Hauraki Gulf. The Italian team found some wind on the right hand side of the course to retake the lead as GBR Challenge was caught in a huge windless zone. As the fickle breeze evaporated, racing was abandoned for the day.

Crew on board Wight Lightning today:
Bow Matt Cornwell
Mid Bow Mark Sheffield
Mast George Skuodas
Pit James Stagg
Pit Runner Jonathan Taylor
Trim upwind Mal Parker
Trim downwind Simon Fry
Grinder Starboard Guy Reid
Grinder Port Greg Searle
Mid Grinder Jim Turner
Main Trimmer Chris Mason
Navigator Jules Salter
Aft Grinder Chris Main
Strategist Andy Green
Skipper Ian Walker
Tactician Adrian Stead
17th Man Peter Harrison