Closer day for old boats

As America's Cupper take to the water in San Francisco for day two of the Sausalito Cup

Yet another picture perfect day for International America’s Cup Class fleet racing on San Francisco Bay, with Larry Ellison’s ORACLE BMW Racing taking first place in both races by a decent margin. Notwithstanding, NZL-20 helmed by Karie and David Thomson held their own in Race 2 against USA-76 from the class of 2002, taking the first cross from USA-76, and finishing just 8 minutes after Ellison and his team. Not bad for a boat ten years older than its competition.

Proving that the older boats still have it in them, ITA-1 and NZL-14 dialed up the fun factor and sailed a close race, jostling for position at the roundings, engaging in a tacking dual coming out of Racoon Straits. On a neck to neck approach to the Blackaller mark, ITA-1 starboard tacked NZL-14, forcing a stall on the red Kiwi yacht.

No mishaps to report other than a kite blow out on USA-11 on the final run to Elephant Rock. The breeze maintained a steady 22-25 knots along the San Francisco city front, becoming lighter on the north end of the course. With several other local races on the Bay today and a huge spectator fleet following The Sausalito Cup, sails of all sizes speckled the water, playing homage to the best natural sailing arena in the world - San Francisco Bay.

Back on shore, Wells Fargo hosted a fun party for crew and guests on the sun drenched deck of the Sausalito Yacht club.

Race 1 – Start 1025 hours
1st USA-76 (01:34:22) Helm – Larry Ellison
2nd ITA-1 (01:49:19) Helm – Peter Stoneberg
3rd NZL-20 (01:51:10) Helm – Karie and David Thomson
4th NZL-14 (01:51:33) Helm – Mary Coleman
5th USA-11 (01:51:48) Helm – John Sweeney

Cumulative Point Standings
USA-76 2
NZL-14 6
NZL-20 6
ITA-1 6
USA-11 10

Race 2 – Start 1305 hours
1st USA-76 (01:28:45) Helm – Larry Ellison
2nd NZL-20 (01:37:19) Helm – Karie and David Thomson
3rd ITA-1 (01:39:15) Helm – Peter Stoneberg
4th NZL-14 (01:39:20) Helm – Mary Coleman
5th USA-11 (01:41:46) Helm – John Sweeney

Cumulative Point Standings
USA-76 3
NZL-20 8
ITA-1 9
NZL-14 10
USA-11 15

Two races scheduled for tomorrow, Sunday June 22. Scheduled start-time 1000 hours, weather dependent.