We couldn’t have asked for a closer race, especially on a day like Tuesday, marked by rain, mist, unstable and light winds, long delays and finally canceled races. The match between Luna Rossa, skippered by Peter Holmberg, and China Team, helmed by Ian Williams, initially appeared to be a no-brainer but turned out into the closest and most emotional match. Luna Rossa’s bow crossed the finish line less than half a meter ahead of China Team’s. Valencia Sailing was on the umpire boat, right in the middle of the action.

The committee end of the starting line was strongly favored and both helmsmen fought hard to get it in the prestart. It was Luna Rossa that finally achieved it but had to pay the price of a penalty. Both yachts hit the line on starboard tack but with Luna Rossa having the advantage. The first beat was a long drag race with one tack, dominated by Luna Rossa. The Italians rounded the first weather mark 14 seconds ahead and stayed in the lead throughout the race. As Williams stated, a number of small errors gave Peter Holmberg the possibility to stretch the lead to the 4.5-5 boatlengths, necessary to unload the penalty right at the finish line.

Yet, it wasn’t as simple as this. The strong current made things harder for Holmberg, who jokingly stated that he had done a number of penalty turns in his career. Normally, it wouldn’t have been a problem and in hindsight they would have gubed and then tacked but finally, they made it even if it was by only half a meter.

Luna Rossa will now have to race against BMW Oracle in the quarterfinals. In the other race of the day Team Origin comfortably beat Pataugas K-Challenge and now moves to the quarterfinals where it will face Damiani Italia. Both races, as well as the semifinals between the winners, were supposed to have taken place on Tuesday, but after a 4-hour long wait, Peter Reggio, PRO of the event, had no option but to send all boats ashore. It was impossible to get a decent and stable breeze in order to fire the starting gun.

Quotes of the race

Ian Williams, helmsman on China Team:“We took a conservative option in the start knowing Luna Rossa was carrying a penalty and this is what you normally do in match racing. In hindsight, the race was lost because of a number of small errors. It was the first time we raced on the Team New Zealand boats and, believe me, they are quite different. At the leeward gate we lost precious time because exactly we didn’t handle the boat correctly. It’s tough in these sudden-death matches because you don’t have the luxury to learn during the race. If you lose you are out.

We are satisfied with our performance in the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series. Our goal was to improve in every race and I think we have achieved it. Don’t forget we were the only team to come without any training whatsoever on America’s Cup boats and it now appears it was an error. Our aim is to continue and as you know we have challenged for the 33rd America’s Cup. Nevertheless, it’s a wait-and-see situation and everything depends on the final court decision. Unfortunately, it is already hard in the current economic situation, we have the added uncertainty”.

Prestart of the race between Luna Rossa and China Team. Auckland, 10 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Peter Holmberg positions himself to take the right side, risking a penalty. Auckland, 10 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa gets a penalty but gains the advantage of holding the right side. Auckland, 10 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The first beat was a long drag race with only one tack. Unfortunately for Ian Williams he was on the unfavored left side. Auckland, 10 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Match racing champion Ian Williams steers the boat towards the first weather mark. Auckland, 10 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa started the first run with a 14-second advantage. Auckland, 10 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa rounds the leeward gate 19 seconds ahead of China Team. Auckland, 10 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Crew handling errors at the leeward gate cost China Team more precious meters. Auckland, 10 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa stretched their lead in the last run. In the other race, Team Origin was comofortably ahead of Pataugas K-Challenge. Auckland, 10 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

It’s not the same race but a nice picture though. Ben Ainslie, Bart Simpson, Iain Percy, Mark Sanderson et al were no match for the French. Auckland, 10 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa are offloading their penalty. Auckland, 10 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa are offloading their penalty while China Team are pushed by the wind towards the finish line. Auckland, 10 February 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Original post by noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing) and software by Elliott Back

[Source: China Team] Let me start by saying I would like to wish everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous 2009. China Team has started the year with planning for a number of events including our upcoming challenge for America’s Cup 33.

As we assess our 2009 and 2010 budget and operations, however, we are becoming increasingly concerned by the currently proposed time frames for a 2010 multi-challenger AC33, given the continued uncertainty surrounding the ongoing legal dispute between Oracle and Alinghi and the continued uncertainty about boat and venue.

As the Executive Director of the program I have an obligation to both our team owner and our sponsors to be fiscally responsible, particularly given the nature of today’s global economic climate. Like many of the teams we are reliant upon sponsorship and corporate partnerships to fund our program in addition to the money invested by our team owner. It is, of course, vitally important that we create and deliver real value to our partners in any program within which we participate. Determining that value with the current uncertainty and the proposed time frames is difficult. Gaining sponsor support, in the current time frame, before that uncertainty is settled is VERY difficult. Committing to funding boat design and build and team hires, without that sponsor support is therefore fiscally irresponsible.

We believe, therefore, that requiring teams to commit to such expenditure, prior to resolution of the court case in particular, but also prior to clarification of what boat we will be racing and where we will be racing, is unreasonable. Creating a time table that does not allow for our corporate partners to sufficiently plan and execute marketing initiatives, not only reduces their ability to maximize the opportunity, but will negatively impact the overall event experience for viewing audiences both at the event and through broadcast and published media.

We do not believe we are alone in coming to this conclusion and are therefore writing to you today to garner support for a multi-challenger AC33 no sooner than 2011. We would also like to propose that no team be required to incur expenditure until there is clarification and confirmation on who is hosting the event, where it is to be held, and what boats we are required to build. The current 2010 timeframe suits only those teams with large budgets, funded by team owners rather than sponsors, willing to take design and build risks in spite of the uncertainty. I am sure there are teams like that. I am equally sure there are not many.

We feel it is important that teams finding themselves in a similar situation begin to share a voice that represents not only the best interests of this group, but what we feel is also the best interests of the America’s Cup and we are asking for you to respond to us with your opinions.

Yours sincerely,

Stuart S. James
Executive Director
China Team Sailing

Original post by noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing) and software by Elliott Back

[Source: Louis Vuitton Pacific Series] AC China Team have announced that 2007 World Match Racing Champion Ian Williams has signed on to be the new skipper of China Team America’s Cup program for the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series in Auckland, New Zealand, in 2009.

With his 2007 title Williams became the first Englishman to win the World Match Racing Tour title in the event’s 19 year history. He is at the top of the leaderboard again in 2008, as the Tour heads to its final event in Malaysia in December, and is ranked Number Two in the world by the International Sailing Federation.

“China Team was looking for a young dynamic sailor with the right combination of experience, enthusiasm, attitude and leadership skills to get the program going in the right direction,” said Stuart James, Executive Director of China Team Sailing. “Ian is a guy around whom we can build a great program.”

Williams will play an instrumental role in the overall development of the team, its sailors and the development of AC China Team’s domestic sailing program. AC China Team is building globally competitive sailing teams, comprising Chinese and foreign sailors, to compete in different events around the world. AC China Team will also develop sailing events in China for international competition in Chinese waters.

“I am very excited to be joining China Team for the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series. The regatta promises some excellent racing and it is a fantastic opportunity for the new team to start building towards the next multi-challenger America’s Cup,” said Ian Williams. “China has a strong and proud history in sailing and I hope that our participation in this and future regattas can assist in making China a great sailing nation once again”

Team Owner Wang Chaoyong commented: “Our relationship with Ian Williams allows us to take AC China Team to the next level as we seek to develop China’s team sailing community, and its ability to compete in international waters. I am proud to be able to continue to support this outstanding international sailing program.”

In addition to this new role Williams will be continuing his current position as Bahrain Team Pindar’s match racing skipper.

Original post by noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing) and software by Elliott Back

Given the limbo the 33rd America’s Cup is currently in and the very uncertain future, it shouldn’t surprise anyone the fact that teams that took part in the previous editions have decided not to enter this time, or at least put their plans on hold.

One of them seems to be China Team, the first ever challenger from China, that apparently moved most of their assets out of their base in Port America’s Cup into a supermarket parking lot. They are now about half a mile from their previous base, right in the middle of one of Valencia’s main avenues.

This doesn’t necessarily mean they are finished but it is a clear sign their return in the world’s oldest sports competition is not imminent. One shouldn’t forget that even in the previous edition, defined by many as the best ever, the Chinese team had encountered severe problems in securing adequate funding, so it’s safe to assume this time it will even be harder.

As one can easily observe from the photos, the Chinese team have all their three ACC yachts, two masts, two speed boats and around a dozen containers with all their physical assets.

China Team’s assets are stored in a supermarket parking lot. Valencia, 27 November 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

China Team’s assets are stored in a supermarket parking lot. Valencia, 27 November 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Original post by Valencia Sailing and software by Elliott Back