It’s a good thing that Prada is in the second chance group; they’re going to need it. After a third straight loss to nemesis Russell Coutts the Italian team seems headed straight for the second chance group and a meeting with the Swedes. As with the previous two races, Prada hounded Alinghi throughout, even leading briefly on the last weather leg but losing an inside overlap just shy of the two-boat circle at the last weather mark. Alinghi def. Prada by 8 seconds.
Big sighs of relief from Team Dennis Conner as USA-77 rolls over Wight Lightning for the second straight day. Stars & Stripes are beginning the inevitable Dennis Conner shuffle out of the cheap seats and theyre doing it with boatspeed. Stars Stars & Stripes def. Team GBR by 2m:10s.
The French continue what may be their final slide into oblivion, losing their third straight race to Victory Challenge in a race that was lost by the top mark, where Victory led by 45 seconds. Victory Challenge def. Le Defi by 1m:12s.
The OneWorld/Oracle matchup is a good one, but Oracle keeps muscling by the Seattle syndicate with boatspeed. OneWorld led around the first weather mark but Oracle came back on the run and by the second weather mark led by 27s. Oracle def. OneWorld by 19 seconds.
Scores after three races.
Alinghi 3, Prada 0
Oracle 3, OneWorld 0
Victory 3, Le Defi 0
Stars & Stripes 2, GBR 1
