The two rivals in the 34th America's Cup have spent three years preparing for this showdown, experiencing highs and lows, building, testing and taming the most modern racing catamarans on the planet. The first clash on Saturday exceeded the expectations of most experts, perhaps even those of some sailors: it was a duel of equals. "We had a hell of a race," said Emirates Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker, who was smiling more relaxed than he had in a long time, "it's nice to sneak out of there with two wins ..."
The opener belonged to the Kiwis. Oracle skipper James Spithill had twice tried to show off his qualities as a match-race dominator, but twice he narrowly failed in his attempt to concede a penalty to the Kiwis. As a result of the breathtaking scenes, the American defenders were twice a little late over the start line and later paid for it with defeats.
"Seven to go" - seven points to triumph. That's how the New Zealand fans and media see it. "OK, Sir Russell Coutts and Larry Ellison, you can take your bows now," a New Zealand reporter flapped and recommended after the spectacular "monster" show that the spectators should be given medical warnings. Something like this: "Doctors warn - watching the America's Cup can jeopardise your health." Some scenes, such as Spithill's chase of the "Aotearoa" at the start of the second race and the collision that was missed by just millimetres (which would have given Spithill the penalty he had hoped for against the New Zealanders), had the quality of a thriller.
"We were surprised that we didn't get the penalty (ed.: against New Zealand) at the start of the second race," Spithill later complained about the not uncontroversial refereeing decision after the situation he had initiated, but conceded that his opponent had accelerated faster afterwards. "It's difficult to get back to the front as the boat behind. They hardly made any mistakes after that. The boats are close together and tomorrow is another day." Spithill was emphatically relaxed after the races, but also said: "That's not the result we wanted."
Two lead changes in the first race showed that two almost evenly matched opponents had entered the ring. The "San Francisco Chronicle" even counted five "near collisions". The area between Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge served up perfect sailing conditions at the start of the 34th America's Cup duel, with an average wind of 16 knots and gusts of up to 21 knots. Double Olympic champion and TV commentator Hans-Peter Steinacher said during the first race: "The Kiwis are ahead because they have made the better manoeuvres. I don't see that many differences in boat speed yet."
Both teams shone with good scenes. The New Zealanders looked a little more experienced. This may have been helped by their involvement in the Louis Vuitton Cup. It is one of the very few historical disadvantages of the defenders that, unlike the challengers, they have no real regatta experience before the Cup duel.
The speed potential of the almost 22-metre-long futuristic racing cars is at least similar in the wind conditions prevailing on Saturday. The Kiwis won race one by 36 seconds, in race two they even crossed the finish line 52 seconds ahead of Oracle Team USA. The average speed of the New Zealanders in the first encounter was 30.07 knots, that of the Americans 28.58 knots. In the second encounter, the "Aotearoa" averaged 30.12 knots and the US catamaran 28.92 knots.
The black and red Kiwi catamaran shone particularly brightly on the upwind sections. The impressive speed when crossing could become the key factor. In the second race, Emirates Team New Zealand increased its lead from 7 to 46 seconds on a single upwind section. However, observers spotted some clear signs of wear on the defenders' 40 metre wing sail and minor repairs.
Races 3 and 4 will be held on Sunday at the same time as the opening duels and will again be broadcast by Servus TV from 10.15 pm German time.
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
