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The Swiss team appeared to have the regatta won on Monday night, pending the result of a request for redress by Luna Rossa (ITA). This morning, the Jury ruled no redress would be given, meaning Alinghi had won the event before its race today.

That did not slow Ernesto BERTARELLI's team however, as Alinghi raced to victory on the water over Luna Rossa, completing the sweep. Close, intense matches further down the leaderboard determined other places, including Emirates Team New Zealand, who finished clear second with a win over BMW ORACLE Racing (USA). Sweden's Victory Challenge also sailed well, squeaking past Desafío Español 2007 (ESP) for fifth place.

There were good conditions for racing again today, with a moderate southeast seabreeze from eight to twelve knots. Racing was postponed briefly on the southern (Juliet) race course after a wind shift in the first start. The course was re-aligned and racing started shortly afterwards.

The top four teams on the leaderboard were racing each other on the north course and the Swiss team, Alinghi, showed again how strong it is. Helmsman Peter HOLMBERG (ISV) split on his start against Luna Rossa and sailed with better speed and angle to an early advantage. The Swiss covered the rest of the way, dispatching a strong opponent in a straightforward manner.

The match for second place won by Emirates Team New Zealand © Gilles Martin-Raget

The action was closer between Emirates Team New Zealand and BMW ORACLE Racing who were racing for second position. With the Kiwis getting an early lead on the left side of the race course, American skipper John KOSTECKI attacked ferociously on the last lap of the course, initiating an intense tacking duel that appeared to draw him closer, and following that up with a number of gybes on the downwind leg. New Zealand skipper Dean BARKER held firm however, his Kiwis repelling each attack, and Emirates claimed second place.

K-Challenge (FRA) sailed well against Team Shosholoza (RSA), who failed to earn a point in the regatta, while Iain PERCY (GBR) skippering +39 Challenge (ITA) converted an early advantage over United Internet Team Germany into a win.

The south course did feature two close contests. Local favourites Desafío Español were able to force a penalty onto Sweden's Victory Challenge in the pre-start when Magnus HOLMBERG (SWE) gybed too close to the Spanish boat, but HOLMBERG started well, building an early advantage. When Desafío Español allowed Sweden to split on the second beat, HOLMBERG stretched to a big enough lead that he was able to squeeze in his penalty turn at the finish line, just crossing the line ahead of the charging Spaniards. The win vaulted Sweden into a tie on points, and by virtue of the win, they are favoured in the tie-break over Desafío Español.

Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team (ITA) won an action packed match against China Team. The boats were close up the first leg, and China made a slick pass at the windward mark, luffing both boats head to wind before breaking off for the mark with a good lead. But Italian skipper Vasco VASCOTTO closed the gap on the second beat and rolled over the Chinese boat on the run, easing into the lead ahead of the finish line.

The standings feature a three way tie for seventh place on points. K-Challenge wins the tie-break because it had a win against a stronger team than any of the others, having beaten Victory Challenge. Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team is then favoured over +39, having won their match.

Following the races, Alinghi was presented with a Mariscal designed trophy in a public ceremony at the America's Cup Park, a fitting reward for its masterful performance over the past six days.

With the completion of racing, tomorrow's reserve day becomes an off day, and racing will resume on Friday, following Thursday's scheduled off day. Racing will continue with the Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 5, a three day fleet racing regatta. Two starts are scheduled on Friday and Saturday, with a race to complete the regatta on Sunday.

Results

Flight 11

K-Challenge beat Team Shosholoza - delta 2:08
Alinghi beat Luna Rossa Challenge - delta 1:00
Emirates Team New Zealand beat BMW ORACLE Racing - delta 0:17
Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team beat China Team - delta 0:29
Victory Challenge beat Desafío Español 2007 - delta 0:10
+39 Challenge won, United Internet Team Germany did not finish

Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 4 Results
(After Eleven Flights)

1. Alinghi (SUI), 11 points
2. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), 10
3. BMW ORACLE Racing (USA), 9
4. Luna Rossa Challenge (ITA), 8
5. Victory Challenge (SWE), 6
6. Desafío Español 2007 (ESP), 6
7. K-Challenge (FRA), 4
8. Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team (ITA), 4
9. +39 Challenge (ITA), 4
10. United Internet Team Germany (GER), 3
11. China Team (CHN), 1
12. Team Shosholoza (RSA), 0