Russell Coutts learns that outboard propellers and AC45 stays don’t mix:

 

It was an exciting Saturday for Energy Team on the third day of the AC45 World Series in Newport. After a disappointing first race, the French reacted well and grabbed second place on the line in the following race. Energy Team are third in the overall rankings in Newport and are still well placed to remain on the podium in the season’s fleet racing championship.

Here’s the full-race replay:

Summary of Fleet Race 3

The eight AC45s set off in ideal conditions in 14-18 knots of wind and sunshine. In the pack, Energy Team set off on the first downwind leg in sixth place. At Mark 2, Oracle Team USA Spithill (James Spithill) was just ahead of Team Korea (Nathan Outteridge) and Emirates Team New Zealand (Dean Barker), while the French found themselves at the rear. It was a similar situation at the next mark, but it wasn’t over yet, as the gaps were quite small. The breeze strengthened and the second downwind leg was sailed very quickly. With their huge gennakers flying, the AC45s reached peak speeds of more than 24 knots, offering a fantastic sight. As James Spithill continued to extend his lead, Loïck Peyron was still back in eighth place at marks 5 and 6. After colliding with a boat being used as a course mark, Oracle Team USA Coutts (Russell Coutts) was forced to retire. The French boat moved up one spot, then two when they overtook Luna Rossa Swordfish (Paul Campbell-James): Energy Team was therefore in sixth place at Mark 6. But the Italians were to get back ahead. Leader from start to finish, the American Defender, Oracle Team Spithill made it all look very easy and were cheered on by the crowds ashore and out on the water. Team Korea and ETNZ took second and third place. A disappointing result for Loïck Peyron and his men, who finished in seventh place in this race.

Result of Fleet Race 3:

1. ORACLE TEAM USA Spithill (James Spithill)
2. Team Korea (Nathan Outteridge)
3. Emirates Team New Zealand (Dean Barker)
4. Artemis Racing (Terry Hutchinson)
5. Luna Rossa Piranha (Chris Draper)
6. Luna Rossa Swordfish (Paul Campbell-James)
7. Energy Team (Loïck Peyron)
DNF. ORACLE TEAM USA Coutts (Russell Coutts)

Summary of Fleet Race 4

Loïck Peyron’s crew had to turn things around in the second of the day’s races. Artemis Racing (Terry Hutchinson) and Luna Rossa Piranha (Chris Draper) received penalties, but the French AC45 got off to a clean start. The fleet remained close together as they made their way to mark 2 with Oracle Team USA Spithill out in front and Energy Team in fifth place. In the upwind leg, Emirates Team New Zealand took the lead. As for Energy, they moved up three places and rounded mark 3 in second place. The French team warded off the attacks from James Spithill and were getting closer to the New Zealanders at the front with just 4 second between them at mark 4. The battle for second place was exciting with Oracle Team USA Spithill grabbing the advantage at mark 5. But Energy Team kept up the pace and at marks 6 and 7 were still there on the podium. So it was on to the final downwind leg, which ETNZ completed with a comfortable lead. It looked like James Spithill would take second place, but Loïck Peyron made a remarkable recovery speeding in towards the final mark. It was certainly close between the two boats and the final sprint went the way of the French, who expressed their joy once over the finishing line. What an incredible finish! After the four races that have so far been raced, Energy Team is third in the overall rankings in Newport and therefore well placed to keep their place on the podium in the season’s fleet racing championship.

Résult of Fleet Race 4:

1. Emirates Team New Zealand
2. Energy Team
3. ORACLE TEAM USA Spithill
4. Team Korea
5. Luna Rossa Piranha
6. Luna Rossa Swordfish
7. Artemis Racing
DNF. ORACLE TEAM USA Coutts

Overall rankings – Saturday 30th June 2012
(after four races)

1. ORACLE TEAM USA Spithill : 38 pts
2. Emirates Team New Zealand : 32 pts
3. Energy Team : 26 pts
4. Artemis Racing : 26 pts
5. Team Korea : 24 pts
6. Luna Rossa Piranha : 23 pts
7. Luna Rossa Swordfish : 20 pts
8. ORACLE TEAM USA Coutts : 13 pts