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Lyn Hines Marine Marketing

Louis Vuitton Flights 10 and 11

Oracle runs New Zealand of the race course

Oracle runs New Zealand off the race course

Oracle had its ups and downs today. In their race with Desafio, they came in from the port side and instead of going into a dialup, ran away from the line. The Spanish did a good job of staying on their tail so when they jibed for the starboard committe boat layline, the Spanish were able to control them to leeward and slow them down. The Spanish took advantage of more pressure on the left while driving Oracle away to the right each time they came together. The Spanish were able to hold on to their lead after the first mark to knock down one of the big boys.

one knot current off Valencia

Having sailed in San Francisco a great deal and being accustomed to seeing current lines and differences in color of the water, I saw what seemed like a current line. Asking some Spanish guys on the boat gave me answers saying it was wind and there isn't any tide. Not being satisfied, I asked Dee Smith, on the same press boat with us, and he said there was about a knot or more and mentioned that zone where they sailed the TP52's off Castellon had a really big current.

For the big race of the day, Oracle sailed New Zealand to windward of the start line and it looked dicey for them. They pulled it out of the hat by jibing around and getting off the line with good speed. They got the better of Oracle by crossing them and being on the right side and being able to round the windward mark in front but with Oracle right on their wind. The New Zealanders split off to the right in a dangerous move and they paid the price. Oracle came back at them power reaching and jibed to leeward. They successfully protected their lead to make up for their earlier loss during the day.

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