What a race !! The score was 6 points for Team New Zealand and -1 for Team USA. Team New Zealand was expected to win the two races. Team USA was fast but significantly slower on the up wing leg. Each time Team New Zealand was able to close the gap, pass and then increase its lead on the up wind leg against Team USA.
Today was different in many aspects. First the wind was at the upper limit (more on that later) which seems to favor Team USA. Second Team USA said they made modifications to their boat to make it more competitive in the up wind leg. Third Grant Dalton was not on the NZ boat (last time it was not on the boat, Team USA won the race).
Team New Zealand leading over Team USA at the first mark
Team New Zealand took the better start and was leading at first mark.
Team New Zealand down wind
Team New Zealand practicing its start
Team New Zealand leading on the down wind leg
During the down wind leg, Team USA was able to make up some time but the surprising thing happen on the up wind leg. Team USA was catching up on Team New Zealand. Under pressure, Team New Zealand made a turn without (it seems) enough hydraulic pumped up and nearly capsized.
Team New Zealand missing its tack and nearly capsized.
Team Oracle had to avoid them
That was the opportunity that Jimmy Spithill was hoping, he took the lead and won the race easily.
Oracle is leading.
Team New Zealand set a speed record trying to catch up but they could not.
The second race was delayed twice because the wind was too strong (exceeding the safety limit) but after 10 min of delay, the race was on. Again Team New Zealand took a better start than Oracle Team USA but it was very close.
The starting line of the second race.
First mark of the second race.
After the first mark, Team New Zealand was leading by less than 30 meters and the race was cancelled because the wind had exceeding for 5 minutes the upper safety limit. That was the first time, a race was cancelled after starting but the wind was getting stronger by the minutes.
So the score is now 6 points for Team New Zealand, 0 for Team USA. Tuesday is now a race day.