The first races at Louis Vuitton Act 4 started punctually at 2 p.m. on the two match race courses off Valencia. There were no surprises. The favourites prevailed impressively.
Match 1
Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) defeated K-Challenge (FRA), margin: 50
Match 2
Luna Rossa Challenge (ITA) defeats Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team (ITA), lead: 3:24
Match 3
Desafío Español (ESP) defeats United Internet Team Germany (GER), advantage: 1:59
Match 4
BMW ORACLE Racing (USA) defeats Victory Challenge (SWE), lead: 51
Match 5
+39 Challenge (ITA) defeated Team Shosholoza (RSA), lead: 5:24
Match 6
Alinghi (SUI) defeats China Team (CHN), lead: 6:48
The German team got off to a good start against the Spaniards with Karol Jablonski at the helm and won the supposedly favoured right-hand side. But the speed was not enough to stand a chance against the boat of the former US team One World (semi-finalists in 2002).
The differences were already visible on the outside. The Spaniards had set a larger mainsail permitted by the new rules with a leech that flared out wide at the head. The Germans were still sailing with an older generation mainsail.
This meant that the gap of two minutes was almost kept within limits. The German boat even caught up by 6 seconds on the final cross.
One or two wins still seem possible over the course of the series. After all, other teams are not yet travelling very fast either.
The South Africans suffered a heavy defeat against +39 with their mast borrowed from Alinghi, and Alinghi almost fell out of sight for the Chinese.
As expected, the big four are Alinghi, BMW Oracle, Luna Rossa and Team New Zealand. Then comes a second group with Victory Challenge, Mascalzone and the Spaniards. The question is whether +39 and K-Challenge will be able to keep up.
If the Germans could do it, it would be a surprise.
