|
Piranha getting a jump on Team Korea. This sort of close
action was typical Friday.
Photo:©2012 Chris Cameron/ETNZ
Photo:©2012 Guilain Grenier/Oracle Team USA
Energy gave Oracle Team USA Coutts a match race battle in
difficult conditions for both boats, the French leading at times
before being eliminated 1-0. Energy also sailed well in
Fleet Race 3, leading on two legs, and finishing 3rd.
Photo:©2012 Chris Cameron/ETNZ
Russell Coutts hit the Race Committee boat squarely, at full
speed, just as the Race 3 starting gun went off. Coutts was
hoping to barge the line a bit, but James Spithill to leeward
wasn't required to leave him room, and Spithill didn't.
Coutts had no good options.
Photo:©2012 Chris Cameron/ETNZ
The collision cost a few inches of the starboard ama on Oracle5.
Photo:©2012 Chris Cameron/ETNZ
Race Committee boat took the hit on the starboard quarter.
Photo:©2012 Chris Cameron/ETNZ
The missing portion of Oracle5's bow was left embedded in the
target.
Photo:©2012 Chris Cameron/ETNZ
Winds picked up throughout the afternoon. ETNZ performed
well, grabbing a lead in Fleet Race 4, but eventually yielding it
to Oracle Spithill and finishing 4th. ETNZ
Photo:©2012 Chris Cameron/ETNZ
At the end of Fleet Race 4, Team Korea in 4th came in from the
deeper part of the course, hoping to gain in the flooding current
and then round the final mark with greater speed than 3rd-place
Energy Team sailing closer to shore. Skipper Nathan
Outteridge nearly pulled it off but was penalized for not keeping
clear of Energy. The French took third, but despite
the penalty Korea hung on to fourth place.
Photo:©2012 ACEA/Gilles Martin-Raget
|