NATION’S CUP 2003
THE START OF THE SEMIFINALS
MASCALZONE LATINO BEATS ALINGHI AGAIN

After the four matches of the semi-finals of the fourth edition of the Nation’s Cup,
perfect tie between the remaining four teams still in the race: Alinghi, OneWorld, Victory Challenge and Mascalzone Latino, each winner of a race.

At the end of the first Round Robin, in fact, GBR Challenge and the team led by Tommaso Chieffi have been eliminated. In today’s program it was possible to see the last two races of the first Round Robin and the first four races of the semi-finals. The decisive matches to determine the finalists will be tomorrow at 9 o’clock.

After a morning without any wind, the races finally began at around one o’clock, so that the last Round Robin matches, which were expected to start at 9 o’clock. In the first match, the two teams who raced were those led by Chieffi and Holmberg and it was the latter to win the race in conditions of about eight knots. Chieffi was very aggressive in the start, but at the first mark with an error, he was at a slight disadvantage and could not recuperate. The Swedes won the race with a 30 second advantage.

In the second match, Chieffi raced again, but against the Australian skipper Spithill of OneWorld. Again, it was an excellent start for Chieffi who ended up winning this race, but it was not enough to allow him a placement in the semi-finals races.

In the first race of the semi-finals, the Swedes of Victory Challenge were able to beat the Americans of OneWorld. A victory in the start, and a 10 second advantage at the first mark. After the second leg, the American team was able to recuperate in a fantastic duel and hold a lead of about 6 seconds. In the following mark the Swedes were again able to recuperate the advantage and cross the finish line with a 15 second lead against OneWorld.

Immediately after the race the Italians of Mascalzone Latino sailed against Team Alinghi, led by Jochen Schuemann. Excellent start for the local sailor Vascotto, who fought hard to hold the lead, but was unlucky, and at the first mark was at a disadvantage of 18 seconds. Battle in the waters off the coast of Trieste, between Vascotto and Schuemann, but the German skipper had no pity for Vascotto, and the race concluded with a victory for the Swiss team with an advantage of 15 seconds.

In the third match, between OneWorld and Victory Challenge, there was no verse. The American team had a perfect start and led the entire race, with a four minute advantage over the Swedes.
Last race of the day, Mascalzone Latino and the Swiss Alinghi was a real show stopper!
The Italians had a good start but were constantly at battle with the Swiss, who had an advantage of one minute at the second mark. After an excellent strategic choice from Vascotto, he was able to inflict a penalty on Schuemann thus winning the match by 30 seconds. This is an excellent start for their future, as they have been coached by the veteran English match racer Chris Law and his unique experience.

Classified for the semifinals from the first Round Robin: Alinghi, 4 points – OneWorld, Victory
Challenge, 3 points– Mascalzone Latino, 2 points
Eliminated: Oracle, 2 points - GBR Challenge, 1 point.

Tutta Trieste!, official organizer of this event, wishes to thank:

The Yacht Club Adriaco, the local Port Authority, Camera di Commercio, the Region Friuli Venezia Giulia, the Province and City of Trieste, the sponsors Generali Insurance, TNT, Heineken, Radio Montecarlo, Harken Wear, Mittel Moda, Fondazione Cassa Risparmio Trieste and Trieste Expo 2008.