America’s Cup Race 5 of 9 - Advantage Alinghi

June 29, 2007 Alinghi beat Emirates Team New Zealand on Friday afternoon in perfect 15 knot sea breeze conditions to take a 3-2 lead in the 32nd America’s Cup Match. It wasn’t a straightforward win. The Swiss trailed over the starting line and around the first top mark as Emirates Team New Zealand showed aggression in the pre-start, forcing the SUI 100 helmsman Ed Baird to attempt to shake them off by using the spectator fleet. The Kiwis converted the small advantage off the starting line into a 12 second lead around the first mark. Then a single moment could well have turned the tide as a burst spinnaker on NZL 92 (pictured) and a poor recovery by the crew, saw Alinghi slide past and grab a lead it would never relinquish, eventually finishing 19 seconds ahead of the Emirates squad. Race Six is scheduled for Saturday afternoon.

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