Third Day Of 1/4 Finals - Alinghi 3 Luna Rossa 0

Third Day Of Quarter Finals - Alinghi (3) Luna Rossa (0)

Third day of the Louis Vuitton Cup 2002-2003 quarter finals, raced on a best of seven series. The match between Luna Rossa ITA 74 and Alinghi SUI 64 starts on time at 13:25. The breeze, 15-16 knots from SW, is extremely shifty. Rod Davis, after an aggressive pre-start circling, chooses the pin end of the line, to leeward of Alinghi. The first beat upwind is very shifty and Alinghi, defending the right, leads by one-two boat lengths.

Russell Coutts is first at the top mark and Luna Rossa trails by 29 seconds. Luna Rossa shows good speed in the downwind run and is able to gain 12 seconds on this leg. Alinghi rounds the bottom mark 17 seconds ahead of ITA 74.

In the first part of the second beat Francesco de Angelis chooses the right side of course that appears to be slightly favoured. Towards the end of the leg the two boats converge and Alinghi still crosses in front by a couple of boat lengths. Russell Coutts defends his position controlling each move of Luna Rossa and rounds the third mark 16 seconds ahead of the Italians.

Another gain in the downwind run by Luna Rossa, but not enough to close the gap completely on Coutts. Alinghi defends his lead and rounds mark number four with 11 seconds advantage. In the third and last beat upwind Francesco de Angelis keeps to the right, while Alinghi sails to the left.

When the two boats converge Luna Rossa is on starboard and has the right of way, forcing the Swiss to bounce back to the left. ITA 74 defends the right, with a slight edge on her opponent. However, the wind keeps oscillating between right and left and there is another change of lead.

Right at the end of the beat Alinghi is once again back in the lead and Coutts rounds the last mark 12 seconds ahead of Luna Rossa.

In the last downwind run Luna Rossa pushes forward and chases Alinghi closing in but failing to overcome the Swiss boat. Russell Coutts crosses the finish line ahead of Luna Rossa by 8 seconds, with exactly the same delta as in yesterday's match.

TODAY'S RESULTS - every victory equals 1 point

RACE 3 Romeo - Match 3 Orm SWE 73 wins against Le Defi FRA 69 (1' 12" lead) Romeo - Match 2 Oracle BMW Racing USA 76 wins against OneWorld USA 65 (19" lead) Juliet - Match 4 Stars & Stripes USA 77 wins against Wight Lightning GBR 70 (2' 10" lead) Juliet - Match 1 Alinghi SUI 64 wins against Luna Rossa ITA 74 (08" lead)

SCOREBOARD Alinghi Challenge (3 pts) - Prada Challenge (0 pts) Oracle BMW Racing (3 pts) - OneWorld Challenge (0 pts) Victory Challenge (3 pts) - Le Defi Areva (0 pts) GBR Challenge (1 pt) - Team Dennis Conner (2 pts)

RACE COURSE Windward leeward, 18.5 miles long; six legs total, three windward legs and three downwind legs; first and last legs are 3.25 miles, the remaining four are 3.00 miles.

WEATHER CONDITIONS TODAY Wind from SW 10-12 knots. Cloudy, some afternoon sunny breaks.

TODAY'S CREW ON LUNA ROSSA 1. Bowman, Paolo Bassani 2. Mid bowman, Alberto Barovier 3. Mastman, Simone de Mari 4. Pitman, Cristian Griggio 5. Left grinder, Massimo Galli 6. Right grinder, Romolo Ranieri 7. Upwind trimmer, Lorenzo Mazza 8. Downwind trimmer, Andrew Hemmings 9. Mainsail trimmer, Sean Clarkson 10.Center grinder, Massimo Gherarducci 11.Helmsman, Francesco de Angelis 12.Tactician, Torben Grael 13.Afterguard, Rod Davis 14.Downwind grinder, Steve Erickson 15.Strategist, Michele Ivaldi 16.Navigator, Matteo Plazzi 17. 17th Man, Jason Naylor

CALENDAR FOR TOMORROW - NOVEMBER 16

RACE 4 Romeo - Match 2 OneWorld USA 65 versus Oracle BMW Racing USA 76 Romeo - Match 4 Stars & Stripes USA 77 versus Wight Lightning GBR 70 * Juliet - Match 1 Alinghi SUI 64 versus Luna Rossa ITA 74 Juliet - Match 3 Le Defi FRA 69 versus Orm SWE 73

* Match broacasted live on TV.

WEATHER FORECAST FOR TOMORROW Wind from WNW 15 knots becoming SW 15-20 knots. Periods of rain.

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