The squabbles surrounding the German team could almost make the interested observer overlook the fact that the past six days have been the highlight of the pre-regattas for the America's Cup so far.
The spectacular images of cuppers in big waves alone are unique. Teams reported having reached 19 knots in the surf before the wind only under mainsail. We will long for this when the boats off Valencia are once again waiting for the reliable but unimpressive sea breeze.
It became clear that the smaller teams in particular had problems with the sometimes tough conditions. For example, +39 helmsman Ian Percy thought his aged boat - the old "be happy" from Alinghi - was going to break apart when she made screeching noises as she dropped. "Like a cat in its death throes - I've never heard anything like it. As if carbon fibres were tearing somewhere in the ship."
But the ship did not break apart for the time being. Instead, a total of 15 spinnakers tore. Three of them on the German ship alone. Spinnaker poles buckled, main booms and countless fittings failed. Eight teams were unable to finish their races.
On the other hand, there were also flat days with circulating winds, which made for extreme tension. Multiple lead changes and extremely close race finishes were the result. This gave the smaller teams in particular their chance.
The biggest beneficiaries were the French from the K-Challenge team with the second oldest boat in the fleet. They won against the New Zealanders, from whom they leased the winning yacht from 2000, and against Alinghi. In addition, helmsman Thierry Peponnet achieved five further victories and fifth place overall.
A result that they would certainly not have achieved in the constant conditions in Valencia. But it saved the acts from boredom.
The highly variable wind is also the reason why Alinghi lost two races on the last day for the first time after 31 match race victories in a row. Jochen Schümann's team has had little trouble with the competition so far.
After the change from cup winner SUI 64 to SUI 75, the Swiss seemed to have become even faster. The experts agree that the new design for version 5 has obviously been a success.
But when the wind shifts by 30 degrees, it is sometimes better to sail slowly in the right direction than quickly in the wrong one. Ed Baird, who took the helm for the first time in Trapani, was probably not to blame for the two defeats. After all, the important decisions were made in the afterguard by Brad Butterworth and Jochen Schümann.
"We're pretty disappointed to have lost the two races. We did it as planned and still got beaten," said Baird, one of the latest additions to Alinghi. The experienced match race world champion was chosen over Laser star Robert Scheidt in December 2004.
The bitter defeat against BMW Oracle Racing by one minute and nine seconds was particularly painful. Otherwise Chris Dickson would have come under a lot of pressure again. The supposed strongest challenger once again failed to impress after narrow defeats against the heavyweights Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa. Larry Ellison was not on board this time. But he will certainly not be satisfied with fourth place despite being tied on points.
The list of results from Trapani may be misleading. It does not reflect the actual balance of power because the wind conditions varied greatly. But it will only be really exciting when the first new boats start sailing at the beginning of next year. Then we will see who has done their homework.
Meanwhile, further surprises are possible in the fleet race from Friday to Sunday. The German team will then have another chance to show what it's made of. Jesper Bank was clearly undervalued in the sailing duels
Results from Trapani, Act 8
1st Alinghi (SUI 75), 9 pts
2. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL 82), 9 pts
3. Luna Rossa Challenge (ITA 74), 9 pts
4th BMW Oracle Racing (USA 76), 9 pts
5. K-Challenge (FRA 60), 7 pts
6th Victory Challenge (SWE 63), 6 pts
7. +39 Challenge (ITA 59), 4 pts
8th Desafio Español (ESP 67), 4 pts
9th Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team (ITA 77), 3 pts
10th Team Shosholoza (RSA 83), 3 pts
11. United Internet Team Germany (GER 72), 2 pts
12th Team China (CHN 69), 1 pt
