UPDATED: 1618
BMW ORACLE Racing has extended its winning streak to six races after a second victory over Synergy Russian Sailing Team. While the team has had relatively easy going in its first five wins, No. 6 was hard earned.
BMW ORACLE Racing has extended its winning streak to six races after a second victory over Synergy Russian Sailing Team. While the team has had relatively easy going in its first five wins, No. 6 was hard earned.
The key moment came at the leeward gate. Synergy got a late inside overlap on port tack and led by 1 second at the mark. The BMW ORACLE crew called for a penalty saying Synergy took too much room at the mark, but the call was green-flagged. While tactician John Kostecki was asking for the penalty, Spithill luffed Synergy, which failed to respond. The on-water umpires penalized Synergy, which soon tacked away.
BMW ORACLE Racing got the starboard tack advantage from there and maintained a lead of 1 to 2 boatlengths up the second beat. BMW ORACLE Racing went on to win by 15 seconds.
“It was a good, tight race,” said Kostecki in an onboard interview after the race. “We had an issue at the bottom mark. They got the inside on us. They didn’t respond to our luffs and were penalized. We got starboard advantage and made it work up the beat. It was the first race we got behind, so it’s good to be able to pass from behind.”
POSTED: 1511
BMW ORACLE Racing grabbed the first of two planned races against Synergy Russian Sailing Team with a thorough, 58-second victory. Once again, skipper James Spithill gave his crew an early advantage by taking out Synergy helmsman Francesco Bruni. With about 1 minute to the start, Spithill got a leeward overlap and pushed Bruni over the line early. BMW ORACLE Racing took the start at mid-line while Synergy was clearing below the line to start properly. It was the fifth win in five starts for BMW ORACLE Racing.
BMW ORACLE Racing grabbed the first of two planned races against Synergy Russian Sailing Team with a thorough, 58-second victory. Once again, skipper James Spithill gave his crew an early advantage by taking out Synergy helmsman Francesco Bruni. With about 1 minute to the start, Spithill got a leeward overlap and pushed Bruni over the line early. BMW ORACLE Racing took the start at mid-line while Synergy was clearing below the line to start properly. It was the fifth win in five starts for BMW ORACLE Racing.
