Historic Win For Desafio As Luna Rossa Go 2-1 Up

The home Spanish team Desafío Español 2007 scored a historic win on day three of the Louis Vuitton Cup Semi Finals, comprehensively beating Emirates Team New Zealand in front of huge and thrilled spectator fleet. Another brilliant start and first leg for Luna Rossa gave them victory against BMW ORACLE Racing to leave both matches delicately poised at 2-1.

After putting a penalty on the Kiwis in the pre-start. Desafío Español 2007 stretched away and controlled the race to hand Emirates Team New Zealand their first defeat since Round Robin One.

In the other race, another great start from James SPITHILL (AUS) put the Italians in control. Today they sailed more conservatively and covered their opponents. Although BMW ORACLE Racing fought back strongly on the final downwind, the gap was too big to close and Luna Rossa moved into a 2-1 lead.

‘It is going to be a great series, close and hard-fought,’ said BMW ORACLE Racing navigator, Peter ISLER (USA). ‘We are disappointed to go 2-1 down, but on Friday we will go out and take it on again. We feel very strong and that we have all the ability and options to turn it around and finish up on top. We just have to go out and square it up again and then take it one race at a time.’

The lay day is tomorrow, with the Semi Finals resuming on Friday.

Full story to follow…

Louis Vuitton Cup – Wednesday’s Semi Final Matches
(the first team to win five points in each pairing advances)

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Total
Emirates Team New Zealand	1	1	0							2
Desafío Español 2007	0	0	1							1

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Total
BMW ORACLE Racing	0	1	0							1
Luna Rossa Challenge	1	0	1							2

The America’s Cup Match and Challenger/Defender Series are designated as ISAF Special Events. For more information on the America’s Cup, the Louis Vuttion Acts and the teams competing, visit the official America’s Cup website – www.americascup.com.

For a complete list of all the news about the America’s Cup 2007 CLICK HERE.