On the furious final day of the eighth pre-regatta for the America's Cup off Trapani, events came thick and fast on the Romeo & Juliet courses. Cup giant Alinghi lost ground. Team Germany was unable to improve.
Tears of joy on the one hand, image scratches on the other: The final day of the Louis Vuitton Act 8 could not have been more exciting. After the management chaos of the past few days
days, Team Germany also reached its limits in sporting terms at the end of the match race series. The team of double Olympic champion Jesper Bank was unable to score any more points on the final day. Firstly, the sailing crew lost the penultimate duel of the eighth pre-regatta for the America's Cup off Trapani against the Swedish Victory Challenge on Tuesday. In the
afternoon, the GER 72 also lost to the Italian +39 Challenge after a penalty decision.
With just two points from eleven races, Team Germany finished the eighth act in eleventh place out of twelve teams. "Of course we had the management problems in mind," admitted Bank, "but they didn't affect our result. Anyone who sails in the America's Cup has to come to terms with such things. But I'm not satisfied with our result. I'm sure that Alinghi's crew would have got more out of our boat. We have to go back to school in Valencia and learn to sail our boat faster."
() On a furious final day, the Cup defenders from the Swiss team Alinghi also faltered for the first time this season. After the surprising defeat against the French outsiders K-Challenge, Sports Director Jochen Schümann (Penzberg) and his team were also beaten by Larry Ellison's elite team on BMW Oracle Racing in the top match of the day. However, despite the unexpected double setback and four teams tied on points at the top of the standings, the Swiss won the series by the narrowest of margins ahead of Team New Zealand and Italy's Luna Rossa Challenge. Despite the final victory over Alinghi and equal points, BMW Oracle Racing only managed a thankless fourth place.
The South African team Shosholoza once again improved on the previous regattas before Malmö with three victories. Jesper Bank even had praise for this: "The South Africans outclassed the Chinese today by almost 1000 metres and showed that they have come a long way. After our surprising opening successes in Valencia, we thought that we had demonstrated a good learning curve, but we have to realise that others are also learning very quickly."
For Louis Vuitton Act 8, the three-day Fleetrace series, Bank and his team have set themselves the goal of "having fun sailing". And want to take a step forwards. "I guarantee that we will sail to a better result there," said the 48-year-old double Olympic champion.
In the meantime, the suspended Chairman of the Management Board
Chairman of the Executive Board Uwe Sasse was unsuccessful with his injunction.
was unsuccessful. A court spokeswoman confirmed that the injunction
injunction, which Sasse had used in the past few days despite his
Sasse held on to his position despite his dismissal by the Supervisory
was ineffective due to time lapses. "For the time being, I will not
comment until further notice and ask for your understanding," said the
former team boss. The 43-year-old has postponed his return to the German team until Thursday: "I want to be with my wife Jaqueline in Zurich. I'm needed more there." Jaqueline Sasse is expecting her first child in the coming days. United Internet spokesman Marcus Schaps confirmed the course taken: "It remains the same: Mr Sasse has been dismissed as CEO with legal effect. His clock has run out. "On Tuesday evening, it seemed as if the end of the act - for the time being at least - had also brought the longed-for calm back to the team.
