2 August 2008
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True 'crash and burn' racing on opening day of iShares Cup at Skandia Cowes Week
. 3 capsizes and 1 major collision result in a day of sheer drama in the opening races of the UK round of the iShares Cup at Skandia Cowes Week as the presence of the America's Cup teams up the tempo
. BMW ORACLE Racing get off to a flying start with two wins for Franck Cammas.
. But then have a major collision, which leaves both BMW ORACLE Racing and BT Extreme 40s badly damaged
. 3 capsizes: Team Aqua, TEAMORIGIN, and BMW ORACLE Racing Spithill
. America's Cup teams win all four races on day one of iShares Cup at Cowes
To see photos of all the day's drama Click here www.isharescup.com/galleryview.asp?cat=Cowes&show=&pageno=1
And check the video gallery later for today's enthralling display of iShares Cup racing at its 'extreme' Click here www.isharescup.com/video.asp
To read more of the skippers' reactions and race reports Click here www.isharescup.com/news.asp
In detail
The America's Cup teams stole the show on the first day of the iShares Cup, but with mixed fortunes in a full-on day at Skandia Cowes Week.
Franck Cammas, the offshore multihull specialist, got things off to a flying start by winning his very first iShares Cup race from America's Cup defenders Alinghi. He followed up to make it a double victory in race two, followed home by his BMW ORACLE Racing team mate James Spithill.
In between races two and three a dark squall came through the fleet - Team Aqua pitchpoled as they tried to bear away, spinning over on one hull and smashing their rig.
Current series leaders TEAMORIGIN came to the fore in the third race, to win from Franck Cammas. But Cammas' run of luck was to come to an end in the next when BMW ORACLE Racing crunched into the side of BT, leaving Cammas' boat with a smashed bowsprint and crumpled front beam, and Nick Moloney's BT boat with a gaping hole in the port side.
"It was like being in a pinball machine!" recalled BT skipper Nick Moloney.
In strong winds of 20-25 knots the rest of the fleet kept racing and TEAMORIGIN was next to bury their bows in the lumpy Solent seas and capsize - and soon followed by James Spithill on the reindexing BMW ORACLE Racing Extreme 40, while Alinghi stole the lead.
The day's dramatic events leave Alinghi in the overall lead, just one point ahead of Holmatro - who had a consistent set of top four results. After an exhausting day on the water many crews now have a long night ahead of them repairing damaged boats, and nursing some bumps and scrapes although none of the sailors suffered any serious injury.
To see full results Click here www.isharescup.com/leaderboard.asp
For further information on the iShares Cup contact:
Helen Fretter
iShares Cup Event Communications Manager
Email: helenf@ocevents.org mailto:helenf@ocevents.org
Tel: +44 (0)870 063 0218
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Morgan Asset in Cowes
Day 1, iShares Cup at Skandia Cowes Week: BMW ORACLE Racing Cammas collision with BT
© Sally Collison http://www.sallycollison.com
Day 1, iShares Cup at Skandia Cowes Week: Team Aqua pitchpole
© Tom Gruitt http://www.tom-gruitt.co.uk
Foto: Gilles Martin-Raget
Gilles Martin-Raget
Extreme 40 fleet racing on day 1 at Cowes
© OnEdition / OC Events http://www.onedition.com/
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