Alinghi has claimed its first victory in the America's Cup final. However, there was no great jubilation. The Swiss team with Jochen Schuemann benefited from the home team's cancellation halfway through the first cross.
It could have been a marvellous sailing day. Blue skies, 22 knots of south-westerly wind, short, steep one metre waves, in short: perfect weather. 2500 spectator boats set sail into the Hauraki Gulf, including two huge cruise ships. Everyone wants to see the big showdown. Will the Hula work? Is Team New Zealand faster again? Will the nerves of the young Kiwi team hold? These are the important questions on everyone's mind.
The home team is seen off with deafening horn signals. Helicopters with huge black flags printed with the word "loyal" escort the two ships onto the course. But Alinghi also receives a sporting farewell. A short but hearty round of applause. The unsportsmanlike blackheart campaign is forgotten.
But perhaps the home fans feel too safe. Because the weather seems to have been made for their boat. All the speculation about the Design Innovation Hula came down to the statement that it is at least an advantage in strong winds.
Another 25 minutes until the start. Jochen Schuemann grabs the water bottle, washes the salt off his hands and runs his fingers through his hair. Cool down. While the team makes the last of six trial approaches to the start line, he goes to the stern and makes one last call to the weather team. Which side is favoured? How will the wind develop?
Team New Zealand is late. The last speed tests with the sparring boat did not work because NZL 81 had a material problem. And on the racing boat NZL 82 there was also a problem with the genoa halyard lock on the mast. A jolt went through the boat when the lock broke, everyone looked up, but the rest held. The genoa could be set on a replacement lock without any problems. But the repair took time. The Kiwis can only make the usual test starts for the starting line three times.
Five minutes to go. The immersion time begins. Omega ambassador Cindy Crawford was actually supposed to take the shot. But after a similar attempt for a golf tournament, she decided against it. The shot backfired in the truest sense of the word.
Alinghi, dipping in from the right-hand side with the right of way, relinquishes the dial up at the first encounter. "That's quite common in such a strong wind," says observer Ian Walker, skipper of the British ACC boat. "You can break a lot of things, and Alinghi obviously doesn't want to take any risks." That shows self-confidence. Coutts does not want to decide everything at the start. That would be the tactic if his boat was slower in these conditions. But he obviously doesn't think so.
As a result, the pre-start manoeuvre is unspectacular. Alinghi opts for the leeward position, Team New Zealand has a strong position to windward. It all comes down to speed. It looks good for the Kiwis. The wind shifts slightly to the right and they quickly have a half boat length lead.
But Alinghi keeps up. And when the wind shifts back five degrees, the game is open again. In comparison, it is noticeable that Team New Zealand is sailing with a little more heel. This is surprising because the low centre of gravity of the long bomb should actually provide more stability.
But such comparisons quickly become obsolete. Because Dean Barker is in serious trouble. His boat is taking on water. It gets so bad that a crew member starts to scoop with a bucket. But he has no chance. More and more water is leaking into the ship over the port side. Six tonnes, estimates syndicate boss Tom Schnackenberg later.
The disaster takes its course. Alinghi slowly fades to leeward, also favoured by a left-hand turn. Team New Zealand has to tack away 14 minutes after the start. After a total of 25 minutes the boom end breaks. The race is as good as over.
But that's not all. Shortly afterwards, the skittle on the genoa halyard breaks. The headsail has to be recovered. The forestay is so bent up that even the spare jib won't hold. It is unbelievable.
The race is over. Alinghi sails the course alone without a spinnaker and takes its first victory. "It was a non-event," says Jochen Schuemann afterwards, sounding almost a little disappointed. He is surprised by the Kiwis' problems. But that's just part of the game.
But Mr Schuemann sees no reason to relax just yet. The weather forecast for tomorrow says that the wind will be much lighter at around 12 knots. Everything could look very different.
