The German America's Cup team with helmsman Jesper Bank has claimed its third victory. In an exciting race in freshening winds, the multicultural team from seven nations once again exceeded expectations.
Jesper Bank, who had already delivered much more than expected during the Match Race Germany on Lake Constance in his first outing under the United Internet banner with second place, also surprised in Valencia.
The victory against the Chinese team was once again unexpected. Behind the supposed newcomers from the Far East, who, like the Germans, only reported at the last minute, was the French team Le Défi, with Tim Kröger on board.
Le Défi sailed with the Acts last year, although no sponsor was in sight at the time. The promising joint venture with the Chinese only materialised a few months ago. There are no Asians on board yet, so the Germans were up against an experienced team, albeit weakened by the departure of their helmsman Philippe Presti, who moved to Luna Rossa.
In Valencia, the actual team manager Pierre Mas is at the helm, who has only managed one win against Shosholoza so far.
Jesper Bank had no difficulties against him at the start. He took the right-hand side and started upwind of his opponent with a sufficiently large lateral gap of around two lengths.
A speed race then developed with wind from starboard. Team China had a slight advantage and pushed the bow forward. But in order to pass Bank, they would have had to gain a lead of more than one boat length. However, they only managed a maximum of 15 metres. The Germans were therefore able to use their right of way advantage to force their opponents far out to the left side and finally run off to the windward mark with a schrick in the sheets.
For a while it looked as if China might still overrun the slower German boat to windward, but Bank parried the attack.
When the spinnakers were set, it became clear once again that the former Italian ship from Team United Internet has nothing to hide from the wind. The extremely narrow design is a hit on the course, even though the mainsail is not yet the maximum permitted size.
Nevertheless, the Chinese are within eight seconds of their opponents at the Leetor. Seen from above, the Germans choose the left mark and the Chinese the right. This option is only available under the new Cup regulations.
This race shows that they provide excitement. The Chinese can sail freely to the left, the German tactician Markus Wieser chooses the right side with the right of way advantage. It looks good, but for a short time the opponent is virtually almost 30 metres ahead after a left turn.
But as the ships sail towards each other, the Chinese do not manage to pass in front of the enemy. They are forced to tack. The Germans turn right again, and then the expected right-hand turn occurs, which adds up to an 18-second lead at the windward mark.
When the cloth slips out of the Chinese team's bag just before they set the spinnaker and is dragged behind them in the water, the race is decided - against them. They finish 44 seconds behind the German team.
Alinghi delivered another thrilling race in the duel with the New Zealanders. The Kiwis failed to get revenge for their loss in the Cup final. They lost by 36 seconds, but at least the mast stayed up.
Peter Holmberg at the helm of the Swiss yacht made the absence of Russell Coutts forgotten in the pre-start. He took the right-hand side, which was enough to give him a 31-second lead at the windward mark. Dean Barker's team reduced their lead to 25 and 29 seconds, but it was no longer enough for victory at the finish.
Link to the results board: www.americascup.com/en/act4/ranking.php?idIndex=436
