The pressure was on at the start, there was no mistaking BMW’s status in the ‘big four’, but Alinghi won the start and extended an early one and a half boat length advantage to two boat lengths by nine minutes into the race. The Defender held their domination right up to the finish line and snatched the race from BMW Oracle Racing by 27seconds.

Dona Bertarelli sister of Ernesto Bertarelli, President of Alinghi was onboard the defending yacht in the 18th position and Ernesto himself raced the second Alinghi match of the day against Germany in the runner/pit position.

Against United Internet Team Germany, Alinghi dominated again leading the new team over the line by nearly two boat lengths, increasing the lead to a 25 boat length win at the finish line.

Quotes from the Defender

Brad Butterworth, Alinghi Vice President and tactician on racing BMW Oracle Racing: “Every time we race BMW Oracle Racing, it is very close, both teams are very similar in performance so it’s a good one to win. We thought their pre-start was a little bit passive, but I think that both boats had a different plan and we were happy with the start, we got the better end of it. There was a good left shift out of the start and it stayed in the left so we were in a nice position to roll forward on them and in the end it was pretty close – they’re hard to beat”.

Brad Butterworth on racing United Internet Team Germany: “Well they’re brand new, it’s an old boat and so they’ve got a lot to learn and just the fact that they made this regatta is a big step for them. They’ve got some good sailors on the boat and I think later in the year we’ll see something from them”.

Brad on another win: “We want to keep the momentum that we’ve got, we don’t want to drop a race to anybody and I think we have to keep the quality up and keep sailing well and the wins will come”.

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