CHINA TEAM sails to a different level

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03/10/05 - Trapani - Day 5 - Vs Team Germany

03/10/05 - Trapani - Day 5 - Vs Team New Zealand

Under stormy clouds and waves of rain CHINA TEAM were on the verge of their second victory in UIT Germany in their second match. Germany slipped through on the last leg after three close lengths of the course. Even though they lost the first match to Emerates New Zealand in the first match, they managed to stay even with them during the first part of the race which shows the steady progress of the new team from China.

CHINA TEAM started their first race against Emerates New Zealand in a 20 knot breeze with threatening storm clouds. During the starting period, CHINA TEAM did their best to keep up with Emerates New Zealand while circling and looking for the advantage. After several circles, CHINA TEAM was able to start get on the favorable end of the starting line and head towards the favorable side of the course. Emerates New Zealand chased CHINA TEAM to the shore. The boats were close enough that both boats did 10 tacks trying to get past each other. Eventually Emerates rounded the first mark ahead 35 seconds ahead and would win the race.

The second race for CHINA TEAM against United Internet Germany showed the result of constant hard work of the Chinese team. CHINA TEAM was ahead and on the favorable side of the course at the start. They started 10 boatlengths ahead and tacked every time UIT Germany did to take their wind. CHINA TEAM worked very hard to stay ahead on the next two legs with the boats only a few lengths between them. It was very hard to sail because the wind became very light and there were still big waves. On the last downwind leg to the finish UIT Germany was able to sail faster to the finish line and finished 59 seconds ahead.

In other racing, an exciting tough race was between Alignhi and Emerates New Zealand.
The start was very aggressive and the boats nearly missed hitting each other several time.
The two teams tacked many times and eventually Alignhi showed their speed again by winning their 9th race here in Trapani.

“In the first race with Emerates New Zealand, we got a good start and headed to the favorable side. We sailed even with them and were only five boat lengths behind at the windward mark. We caught up to 3 but finished five boat lengths behind. The wind was an average of 24 knts to 29 knts.

We got a good start on the second race on the favorable side with UIT Germany. Every time they tacked we tacked to take their wind. We stayed ahead of them until the last leg. They jibed right after they raised the spinnaker and we waited to late. They headed straight to mark and passed us.” – Philippe Mourniac.

Flight 8

Alinghi 1-0 Team Shosholoza
Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team 0 - 1 Luna Rossa Challenge
Desafío Español 2007 1 - 0 United Internet Team Germany
BMW ORACLE Racing 1 - 0 +39 Challenge
Victory Challenge 1 - 0 K-Challenge
Emirates Team New Zealand 1 - 0 China Team

Flight 9
+39 Challenge 1 - 0 Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team
Team Shosholoza 0 - 1 Victory Challenge
China Team 0 - 1 United Internet Team Germany
K-Challenge 0 - 1 Luna Rossa Challenge
Desafío Español 2007 0 - 1 BMW ORACLE Racing
Emirates Team New Zealand 0 - 1 Alinghi

Classement

1. Alinghi, 9pts

2. Oracle BMW racing, 8pts

2. Luna Rossa Challenge, 8pts

4. Emirates Team New Zealand, 7pts

5. K Challenge, 5pts

5. Victory Challenge, 5pts

7. El Desafio 2007, 4pt

8. Shosholoza Challenge, 2pts

8. United Internet Team Germany, 2 pt

8. +39 Challenge, 2 pt

11. CHINA TEAM, 1 pt

11. Mascalzone Latino, 1pt