Alinghi clean sweeps Louis Vuitton act 6 America's Cup lead-up

Although Alinghi didn’t have anything material at stake in this contest, the Swiss were gunning for a perfect record, and perhaps looking to make a statement to the Kiwis as well. It was a close race off the starting line, but Alinghi was able to use superior speed and height to slowly pull ahead upwind. The Swiss escaped clear ahead of Emirates about halfway up the leg and Team New Zealand couldn’t climb back into it.

Spanish skipper Karol Jablonski won his race in the pre-start pushing K-Challenge above the layline for the starting line. When French skipper Thierry Peponnet gybed to escape, Jablonski simply turned up for the line. Peponnet found himself tacking directly behind the Spanish boat and pinned in a difficult and slow position off the starting line. From there Desafío Español could taste fifth place overall, and raced on to secure it with the victory.

Racing resumes after two days off in the Malmö-Skåne Louis Vuitton Acts with the Fleet Racing of Act 7 on Friday.

Malmö-Skåne Louis Vuitton Act 6 Points

Team Points Alinghi 11 BMW ORACLE Racing 10 Emirates Team New Zealand 8 Luna Rossa 8 Desafío Español 2007 6 +39 Challenge 6 Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team 5 Victory Challenge 4 K-Challenge 3 United Internet Team Germany 2 Team Shosholoza 2 China Team 1

In 2007, a fleet race event will precede the Louis Vuitton Cup, the winner of which will then race the Defender, Team Alinghi, in the America’s Cup Match in Valencia.

Flight 11

Mascalzone Latino–Capitalia Team (ITA 77) beat Victory Challenge (SWE 73), delta 1:01 BMW ORACLE Racing (USA 76) beat Luna Rossa Challenge (ITA 74), delta 1:11 Alinghi (SUI 75) beat Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL 82), delta 2:03 Team Shosholoza (RSA 83) beat China Team (CHN 69), delta 0:43 +39 Challenge (ITA 59) beat United Internet Team Germany (GER 72), delta 0:51 Desafío Español 2007 (ESP 67) beat K-Challenge (FRA 60), delta 0:20

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