Race One Of Quarter Finals Repechage

Race One Of Quarter Finals Repechage - Luna Rossa Ita 74 (1) Orm Swe 73 (0)

After three consecutive delays the Race Committee is finally able today to fire the gun for day one of the Louis Vuitton Cup 2002-2003 quarter finals repechage, raced on a best of seven series.

The match between Luna Rossa ITA 74 and Orm SWE 73 starts in time at 13:30. Rod Davis, at the helm of ITA 74 for the start, chooses the pin end of the line. The Swedes chase ITA 74 from astern and are forced to tack away immediately after the line in order to sail in clear air.

There are only 9 knots of wind on the race course, just enough for the Committee to run the matches considering that the lowest wind speed allowed by the rules is 7 knots. Both boats hoist a man on top of the mast (Michele Ivaldi on Luna Rossa) to signal from above the puffs of wind on the race course.

In the first part of the beat the wind shifts slightly to the right favouirng Orm. At the first cross Luna Rossa is behind the Swedish boat, who is in a strong position to defend the favoured side of the course.

During the rest of the beat Jesper Bank, at the helm of Orm, controls every move of Luna Rossa, forcing her to keep on the unfavoured left side of the course. Good tactics and faultless manoeuvring on board Luna Rossa enables the Italians to close the gap. The wind shifts slightly and ITA 74 overtakes SWE 73. The first mark rounding is very close and Francesco de Angelis leads by 8 seconds.

In the first downwind leg it's the Swedes who are now chasing Luna Rossa. Francesco de Angelis is able to sail deeper towards the mark with a slight speed edge over Jepser Bank. At the end of the run ITA 74 has consolidated her lead to 43 seconds.

Second beat. Luna Rossa chooses the left side of the course and keeps a close control over her opponent. For most of the beat the Swedes are trailing by over 170 metres. At the third mark rounding Francesco de Angelis has a comfortable lead of 1 minute and 12 seconds over Orm SWE 73. Second run downwind. Luna Rossa maintains her lead over Orm. The wind is still very light, 7-8 knots, and both crews still have a man on top of the mast calling the shifts. At the fourth mark rounding the Swedes are trailing by 1 minute and 8 seconds.

Third and last beat. The wind is very shifty on this leg, however Luna Rossa is able to keep her lead. At the fifth and last mark rounding the delta is identical to the one of the previous leg: ITA 74 is leading by 1 minute and 8 seconds.

No major changes occur in the last leg of the course. Francesco de Angelis keeps a steady lead over Jesper Bank and goes to win race 1 of the quarter finals repechage by a comfortable 1 minute and 31 seconds.

TODAY'S RESULTS - every victory equals 1 point

RACE 1 Romeo - Match 1 OneWorld USA 67 wins against Stars & Stripes USA 77 (1' 16" lead) Romeo - Match 2 Luna Rossa ITA 74 wins against Orm SWE 73 (1' 31" lead)

SCOREBOARD OneWorld Challenge (1) - Team Dennis Conner (0) Prada Challenge (1) - Victory Challenge (0)

RACE COURSE Windward leeward, 18.5 miles long; six legs total, three windward legs and three downwind legs; first and last legs are 3.25 miles, the remaining four are 3.00 miles.

WEATHER CONDITIONS TODAY Wind from NE 4-7 knots. Mainly sunny.

TODAY'S CREW ON LUNA ROSSA 1. Bowman, Paolo Bassani 2. Mid bowman, Massimiliano Sirena 3. Mastman, Simone de Mari 4. Pitman, Cristian Griggio 5. Left grinder, Massimo Galli 6. Right grinder, Romolo Ranieri 7. Upwind trimmer, Lorenzo Mazza 8. Downwind trimmer, Andrew Hemmings 9. Mainsail trimmer, Sean Clarkson 10.Center grinder, Massimo Gherarducci 11.Helmsman, Francesco de Angelis 12.Tactician, Torben Grael 13.Afterguard, Rod Davis 14.Downwind grinder, Steve Erickson 15.Strategist, Michele Ivaldi 16.Navigator, Matteo Plazzi

CALENDAR FOR TOMORROW - NOVEMBER 27

RACE 2 Romeo - Match 2 Luna Rossa ITA 74 versus Orm SWE 73 Romeo - Match 1 OneWorld USA 67 versus Stars & Stripes USA 77 *

* Match broacasted live on TV.

WEATHER FORECAST FOR TOMORROW Wind from NE 5 knots. Chance of SSW 12 knots late in the afternoon. Mainly sunny.

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