The Official
Website of the
International
Sailing Federation

Today's last qualifying flight between Alinghi and Luna Rossa 1 is the decisive match that will assign the first place, thereby solving the tie at the top and assigning access to the semi finals. Racing is scheduled to begin at 1100 hours local time.

In yesterday's match between Shosholoza and +39 PERCY was on top from the start, keeping a 30 second advantage at every mark rounding and maintaining the lead until the end of the race. The South African team suffered another loss at the hands of Mascalzone Latino in the following race after they received a penalty at the pre-start. GRAM-HANSEN, was quick to pull out in the lead, reading the course at it's best and beating the South Africans.

The second Luna Rossa team with DE ANGELIS at the helm won the start in their match with +39 and held onto their lead in the first part of the race. However at the second downwind mark, PERCY made up ground on DE ANGELIS, forcing a penalty on his rival. This enabled the team from Lake Garda to overtake DE ANGELIS and take victory.

DE ANGELIS made up for that defeat in the following race. After a hard fought battle he overcame HOLMBERG and the Alinghi team, who had been undefeated up to that point. DE ANGELIS stormed the start line and led throughout the first part of the race. In the final beat HOLMBERG caught up, but in the last run forced a cross and was awarded a penalty meaning Luna Rossa 2 brought home a well deserved victory.

The Heat Standings

1. Peter HOLMBERG (ISV), Alinghi (SUI), 3-1
2. Jes GRAM-HANSEN (DEN), Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team (ITA), 3-2
2. Francesco DE ANGELIS (ITA), Luna Rossa Challenge (ITA), 3-2
2. Iain PERCY (GBR), +39 Challenge (ITA), 3-2
5. James SPITHILL (AUS), Luna Rossa Challenge (ITA), 2-2
6. Chris LAW (GBR), Team Shosholoza (RSA), 0-5