America's Cup 2007 Louis Vuitton Act 4&5 in Valencia - Übersicht 16.06.2005 Surprises and first wins as the 2005 America's Cup season opens in Valencia Valencia, 16th June, 2005 - The America's Cup season opened on Thursday with the first 12 matches in the Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 4, and conditions promised some good racing. Five completely new teams took to the water to race for the first time in this 32nd America's Cup, completing the most diverse line-up in the history of the Cup. "photo Gilles Martin-Raget" erster Matchsieg für Germany The action wasn't limited to the water. Thursday also marked the opening of the America's Cup Park, and was an opportunity for Valencianos to come down and experience the spirit of the America's Cup. The Park was busy, with crowds enjoying the action on the water via big screen television and commentary. The local heroes, Desafío Español 2007 got off to a strong start, beating the first ever German team to race in the America's Cup. The Spaniards later fell to Luna Rossa Challenge, who likely feel at home in Valencia, having sailed here longer than any other team. Other highlights in the first pairings included a tight match between BMW ORACLE Racing and Sweden's Victory Challenge, who put in a credible performance against one of the strongest teams at the Cup. The new German challenger didn't wait too long to earn its first win at the America's Cup. After falling to the Spanish team, United Internet Team Germany surprised K-Challenge with a strong performance in the second flight of races, in what many are calling the match of the day. German skipper Jesper Bank made a nifty move at the first windward mark; approaching bow to bow on starboard tack he was able to sneak inside the French boat and round ahead. From there Bank extended away, sailing aggressively to victory by 1:02. The first flight of matches started on time at 14:10 with K-Challenge leading Emirates Team New Zealand off the starting line of the North (ROMEO) course. The Kiwis soon recovered their form however and the season champion from last year was able to hold back the French challenge. Although the wind was good for racing at the start with a moderate 8 to 10 knot Easterly, it eased a little over the course of the race with matches on both courses finishing in light 6 to 8 knot breezes. In the Italian derby in Flight 1, Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team performed well, but succumbed to Francesco de Angelis and his Luna Rossa Challenge. Mascalzone picked up a penalty on the first beat, and lost time completing its turn before the finish, so the race on the water was closer than the final finish time indicated. China Team had a difficult welcome to the America's Cup, paired against the Defender for its first match, and the BMW ORACLE Racing powerhouse in the second. Alinghi taught the newcomers that the Cup is a hard game to play, beating them by nearly seven minutes. By comparison, the Chinese stuck closer to the American team, but still fell by over one minute. Also having a difficult day were the South Africans. They are racing a new boat that sailed for the very first time yesterday - and only for a couple of hours at that - and it showed. Italy's +39 Challenge showed no mercy however, beating them convincingly. The South Africans then fell to Alinghi in another one-sided match. Racing at the Valencia Louis Vuitton Acts is scheduled to continue on Friday, with two more flights of racing on the calendar. The first warning signal is scheduled to sound at 14:00. Results Flight 1 Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL 82) beat K-Challenge (FRA 60) - delta 0:50 Luna Rossa Challenge (ITA 74) beat Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team - delta 3:24 Desafío Español 2007 (ESP 67) beat United Internet Team Germany - delta 1:59 BMW ORACLE Racing (USA 76) beat Victory Challenge (SWE 63) - delta 0:51 +39 Challenge (ITA 59) beat Team Shosholoza (RSA 83) - delta 5:24 Alinghi (SUI 75) beat China Team (CHN 69) - delta 6:48 Flight 2 Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL 82) beat Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team - delta 2:27 United Internet Team Germany (GER 72) beat K-Challenge (FRA 60) - delta 1:02 Luna Rossa Challenge (ITA 74) beat Desafío Español 2007 (ESP 67) - delta 1:12 Victory Challenge (SWE 63) beat +39 Challenge (ITA 59) - delta 1:51 Alinghi (SUI 75) beat Team Shosholoza (RSA 83) - delta 3:34 BMW ORACLE Racing (USA 76) beat China Team (FRA 69) - delta 1:39 Points Leaderboard Alinghi 2 BMW ORACLE Racing 2 Emirates Team New Zealand 2 Luna Rossa Challenge 2 Victory Challenge 1 +39 Challenge 1 United Internet Team Germany 1 Desafío Español 2007 1 K-Challenge 0 Team Shosholoza 0 Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team 0 China Team 0 Contacts: 32nd America's Cup Press Office Antigua Estación Marítima, 2º Muelle de la Estación s/n 46024 Valencia - SPAIN Email: media@americascup.com Web: www.americascup.com http://media.americascup.com Rights-free (for editorial) Photos are available for download for media use at: http://media.americascup.com Copyright © 1996-2016 - SEGEL.DE