Action replay

Tension mounts for Cup's biggest culling as Louis Vuitton Cup challengers continue form from yesterday

Alinghi SUI64 beat Luna Rossa ITA74
Delta: 0:08. Alinghi lead 3:0

For the second day running, Alinghi beat Prada by exactly the same delta – just eight-seconds. But, despite close finishes, Alinghi dominated this enthralling battle between two very strong European teams. In today’s match, Alinghi and skipper Russell Coutts, continued to show a speed edge upwind and gained early control of the race. However, Italian skipper Francesco de Angelis kept it close and were ready to pounce on any mistake.

At the second leeward mark rounding, Alinghi’s foredeck crew allowed their gennaker to go under the bow. Alinghi led around the mark, but Prada rounded close behind and tacked away immediately. Alinghi’s housekeeping problems prevented them from tacking to cover and Prada gained the right hand advantage and took the lead.

However, Alinghi’s upwind strength and a left-hand windshift saw them power back into the lead just before the windward mark rounding. Despite Prada’s determined efforts, the Swiss held on to the lead down the run and took the gun again

After the racing Alinghi's owner Ernesto Bertarelli commented on the poor gennaker drop: "It was a little mistake from one of our trimmers. With the wind we had it created a bit of a problem controlling the spinnaker and it was tough getting it back on board. We lost quite some time, but at the end of the day we made it back on the beat and managed to pull it off. It was lucky and it shows how tough it is out there - you make one mistake and you are sanctioned right away."