Tight Racing and a Collision at ACWS

After two days of AC45 racing in Naples, Italy, Oracle Team USA leads the nine-boat fleet with 38 points, followed by the French Energy Team (36) and Emirates Team New Zealand (36). Four of seven fleet races have been completed by yesterday afternoon.

Conditions on Day One (Wednesday) were maddeningly inconsistent: Organizers reported that the wind shifted "from south-southwest to nearly west, an arc of some 35 degrees, and ranged in strength from 8 to 12 knots." But yesterday (Day Two) wind speed and direction were much more consistent. Oracle Team USA helmsman Tom Slingsby, a 28-year-old Aussie, showcased his talent with a first and second in the day’s fleet races. Likewise, Energy Team’s skipper Yann Guichard showed equally impressive skills, also scoring a second and a first. Guichard was leading during the first race of the day, but was overtaken by Slingsby during the second upwind leg.

Meanwhile during the day’s first match race between Luna Rossa Swordfish and Emirates Team New Zealand the ‘NASCAR effect’ was in full force, as the two cats collided at the windward mark. Emirates’ skipper Dean Barker was found at fault due to a rights violation. While neither boat was permanently disabled, Swordfish’s starboard bow was "flattened" and Emirates’ port stern scoop was damaged.

Both fleet racing and match racing continue through Sunday (schedule here). See photos and complete ACWS info here. If you get up very early in the morning (9-hour time difference) you can watch the show streamed live over YouTube.

Current standings after two days of racing: