Race Three Of Semifinals

Race Three Of Semifinals - Luna Rossa Ita 74 (1) Oneworld Usa 67 (1)

Another grey and rainy day for match three of the Louis Vuitton Cup 2002-2003 semifinals.

The match between Luna Rossa ITA 74 and OneWorld USA 67 starts on time at 13:25. There are 16-18 knots of wind on the race course. Rod Davis, at the helm of Luna Rossa, takes the right end of the line and tacks immediately away on port. USA 67 keeps to the left and tacks back a few minutes later.

First beat upwind. At the first cross OneWorld has a few metres of advantage over Luna Rossa. The boats switch sides of the course and are now both on starboard moving up the middle of the race course towards the first mark, with ITA 74 to leeward of the Americans. The wind shifts slightly to the left, favouring Luna Rossa who is now bow to bow with USA 67. Francesco de Angelis, with Torben Grael calling the tactics, attacks with a series of tacks. USA 67 is leading by half a boat length and defending the right.

OneWorld gets the inside berth at the mark and rounds 10 seconds ahead of Luna Rossa.

First downwind run. Both crews hoist the gennaker (asymmetrical sail). Francesco de Angelis chases USA 67 trying to gain the overlap. Luna Rossa's bow is just a few metres away from OneWorld's stern. Francesco de Angelis attacks and gybes moving to windward of OneWorld. The boats are only a boat length apart. Luna Rossa surges down each wave and overtakes USA 67, who is now sailing in ITA 74's wind shadow. There is an overlap and Francesco de Angelis incurs in a penalty, having sailed beyond the lay line and having thus gained a controlling position over USA 67. The Umpires rule that Luna Rossa has infringed rule 17 (proper course) and display a red flag, meaning that ITA 74 has to do the penalty straight away. Francesco de Angelis is able to round the bottom mark 4 seconds ahead of OneWorld.

Second beat upwind. Luna Rossa completes her penalty turn. OneWorld is able to regain the lead. The wind increases to 20 knots and shifts to the left favouring the Americans who are now 150 metres ahead of ITA 74. At the third mark rounding Luna Rossa is trailing by 51 seconds.

Second downwind run. Both boats sailing under spinnaker. Luna Rossa chases OneWorld trying to bridge the 10 boat length gap that opened up after the penalty turn was taken. At the fourth mark rounding USA 67 is again leading by 51 seconds, exactly as at mark number three.

Third and final upwind beat. Luna Rossa heads to the left, while USA 67 opts for the right. James Spithill covers loosely each move of ITA 74. It will be hard for Luna Rossa to fill a 200 metre gap without major wind shifts. USA 67 rounds the last mark with a comfortable lead of 56 seconds over ITA 74.

Third and final downwind run. Luna Rossa opts for an early gybe and heads to the right. USA 67 gybes later. Then the two boats swop sides as Francesco de Angelis attacks with a series of gybes, hoping to close the gap on his opponent. OneWorld covers each move of Luna Rossa and goes to win the match with a lead of 33 seconds.

TODAY'S RESULTS - every victory equals 1 point

RACE 3 Match 1 Alinghi SUI 64 wins against Oracle BMW Racing USA 76 (46" lead) Match 2 OneWorld USA 67 wins against Luna Rossa ITA 74 (33" lead)

SCOREBOARD Alinghi (3) - Oracle BMW Racing (0) Prada Challenge (1) - OneWorld * (1)

* One point penalty applied to OW (Arbitration Panel decisions, December 9 and 12, 2002).

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 NNW 13-16 knots. Cloudy with showers becoming frequent in the afternoon.

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 17. 17th Man, Tuan Allsop *

* Old time friend of Vernon Neville (athletic trainer of team Prada). Tuan, 30 years old, is originally from South Africa and is now a New Zealand citizen. He is a former top level judo player.

CALENDAR FOR TOMORROW - DECEMBER 13

RACE 4 Match 2 OneWorld USA 67 versus Luna Rossa ITA 74 Match 1 Alinghi SUI 64 versus Oracle BMW Racing USA 76

WEATHER FORECAST FOR TOMORROW Wind from NW 25 knots becoming W 20 knots. Rain easing to showers.

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