It took a little longer than expected, but when it started it was worth waiting for. Reversals of fortune, blown spinnakers, lead changes and tight racing meant that the Fleet Races of Act 5 delivered on their promise of compelling action. When it was all over, Sweden’s Victory Challenge stood alone at the top of the leaderboard, on the biggest holiday celebrated in Sweden, Midsummer’s Eve.

Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 5 opened on Friday with lighter conditions on a hot, hazy and overcast day in Valencia. The soft breezes initially weren’t entirely unwelcome as many sailors expressed trepidation at the prospect of 12 America’s Cup Class boats hurtling at the starting line together.

Race Officer Harold Bennett began the start sequence on time, but as the gun fired, he issued a general recall as several boats were over the starting line early. At about the same time, the light seven-knot Southeasterly began to fade, and Bennett fired the postponement signal shortly afterwards. But just over one hour later, the breeze was up, and racing began at 15:40 in a six to eight knot Southeasterly.

Race One

Luna Rossa jumped out to an early and convincing lead with a great start and strong first beat to lead around the top mark by 20-seconds over Emirates Team New Zealand and Alinghi. This trio would remain in control for the rest of the race, and around the second windward mark, the Italians had what appeared to be a secure 42-second lead.

But Kiwi helmsman Dean Barker and tactician Terry Hutchinson worked the angles hard downwind, and Emirates TNZ was able to gybe into a controlling position over Luna Rossa, rolling past the Italian. As the boats switched sides of the course Alinghi came barrelling in towards the finishing line on port. The Kiwis decided to gybe in front of Alinghi and cross behind Luna Rossa, but on a fast angle to the finish. Luna Rossa gybed, to make its final dash for the line, but it was too late, and Barker and his crew raced across ahead. The Italians just squeezed in front of Alinghi.

Victory Challenge sailed a brilliant race in finishing fourth, ahead of BMW ORACLE Racing, while K-Challenge, which had started early, recovered to move up the fleet to seventh position, just behind United Internet Team Germany which also sailed a strong race.

Team Shosholoza finished a race with boats behind it for the first time this season. The South Africans, also premature starters, leapt ahead of three boats on the final run to finish ninth.

Race Two

The second race wasn’t as clear cut. +39 skipper Iain Percy grabbed an early lead after initially looking like he might not make it across the pin end of the line. But halfway up the first windward leg, Sweden’s Victory Challenge emerged as a strong leader gaining on pressure in the middle of the race course.

The Swedes led the three Italian teams around the top mark, and looked to be extending when their gennaker burst on a gybe. Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia team took advantage, rolling over the black boat of Victory, and +39 did the same. Sweden recovered later in the race to grab back second place. But they could never reel in Mascalzone, who went on to win the race.

The wind was lighter in this second contest and with small oscillations in direction and pressure, it was difficult for the tacticians and strategists to plot a winning line up the course. Small place changes were frequent upwind and finding clean air difficult downwind. It was a day where good starts and positioning on the course were at a premium, and good decisions were rewarded, but fortune played a part as well.

The best examples of the vagaries of the day are Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team and Emirates Team New Zealand. Mascalzone finished last in the first race, but recovered all the way to win the second contest. Emirates TNZ, winner of the first race, struggled all through the second and was barely able to claw back to ninth.

It was a better day for Shosholoza who managed to finish with boats behind them in both races, and for the first time in the 2005 season is off the bottom of the table.

Racing is scheduled to continue on Saturday with two more fleet races beginning at 14:10.

Results

Points Leaderboard Race Results Overall Points

Victory Challenge (4, 2) 20

Luna Rossa Challenge (2, 6) 18

Emirates Team New Zealand (1, 9) 16

Alinghi (3, 7) 16

BMW ORACLE Racing (5, 5) 16

K-Challenge (7, 4) 15

Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team (12, 1) 13

+39 Challenge (10, 3) 13

Desafío Español 2007 (8, 10

United Internet Team Germany (6, 11) 9

Team Shosholoza (9, 10) 7

China Team (11, 12) 3

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