No upset of the applecart

OneWorld and Prada continue to show their form during the Quarterfinal repechage

Louis Vuitton Cup - Quarter final repechage - day 3

After nearly a three-hour delay, waiting for the wind to fill in on the Hauraki Gulf, OneWorld and Prada both advanced to match point, taking 3 - 0 leads in their respective best of seven matches in the Quarter Final Repechage of the Louis Vuitton Cup.

The wind was nearly non-existent for most of the afternoon on Thursday, but by 3:30, it was beginning to build, and racing started just before the 16:00 deadline in 12-15 knot southerlies.

Quarter Final Repechage 23-30 November
Best of Seven	OneWorld	Team DC		Prada	Victory
Score	3	0		3	0
Race 1 Delta	1.16			1.31
Race 2 Delta	1.50			1.23
Race 3 Delta	1.02			0:51
Race 4 Delta
Race 5 Delta
Race 6 Delta
Race 7 Delta

OneWorld helmsman James Spithill was effective in the pre-start again, and gave his team the early advantage off the start-line, over Stars & Stripes. OneWorld built on that early lead the rest of the way around the race course to earn a strong win.

Prada had a harder time defeating Victory Challenge, who turning in an inspiring, 'never say die' performance. The Swedish team led around the top mark and carried that advantage down the first run. But nearing the bottom of the course, under immense pressure from Prada, the Swedes broke their spinnaker pole in a luffing match, dropped the sail in the water, and picked up a penalty. Although the Swedes pressed hard the rest of the way, they couldn't regain the lead.

Both OneWorld and Prada now have a strangle hold on their series, and can advance to the Semi Final with one more win. Their opponents now have to win four consecutive races to avoid elimination.

See page two to read more about OneWorld v Stars & Stripes
See page three for more on Prada v Victory Challenge