Request for redress by +39 Challenge is denied

Request for redress by +39 Challenge is denied; racing resumes on Friday

Valencia, 28 June, 2006 - The Jury for the 32nd America's Cup has denied a Request for Redress by +39 C

The Italians claimed the Race Committee employed the wrong method to break the tie. +39 Challenge believed Louis Vuitton Act 12 to be a discrete event, and that the tie should have been considered unbreakable. In that case, the Racing Rules of Sailing call for either a 'sail-off' or a draw to resolve the tie (RRS C11.3).

But the Jury ruled that the Race Committee did in fact follow the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS C11.1) when it referred back to results in Louis Vuitton Act 11 in breaking the deadlock and that the provisional results should stand.

The case hinged on the definition of the word 'event'. The Jury ruled the word 'event' is defined in the Protocol for the 32nd America's Cup as meaning "all Pre-regattas", and thus, Louis Vuitton Act 11 is in fact a previous stage of the event, as referenced in the Rules. Therefore, the Race Committee was correct in the way it broke the three way tie.

The ruling means the Round Robin results for Louis Vuitton Act 12 are now confirmed and the pairing list established last night is correct.

Friday's matches
Racing in the semi-finals is scheduled to begin on Friday afternoon. Each semi-final series will be won by the first team to earn two points. The results from the round robin aren't carried forward.

"Even though we have won the round robin, a couple of poor races could mean that we finish the regatta in third or fourth place," observed Grant Dalton, after his Emirates Team New Zealand emerged top of the table with a perfect round robin record.

On Wednesday evening, the top skipper in each division chose his opponent for the semi-final matches, with Kiwi skipper Dean Barker surprising many when he elected to face BMW ORACLE Racing. Emirates Team New Zealand has won three of the five previous contests between the two dating back to last season.

Desafío Español selected Shosholoza, a team it has beaten in four of five previous matches, while Areva Challenge chose China Team. The French are 4-1 against the Chinese.

In the other top division pairing, Alinghi is matched with Luna Rossa Challenge. The Swiss defender is just 3-2 against the Italians. Similarly, Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team holds a 3-2 edge over Victory Challenge, while +39 Challenge has never lost in five previous matches against the Germans.

Points Leaderboard and Semi-Finals Pairings (FINAL)
Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 12 -Leaderboard

Position Matches sailed Won Points
1 Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL 84) 11 11 11
2 Luna Rossa Challenge (ITA 86) 11 10 10
3 Alinghi (SUI 75) 11 8 8
4 BMW ORACLE Racing (USA 87) 11 8 8
5 Desafío Español 2007 (ESP 88) 11 7 7
6 Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team (ITA 77) 11 6 6
7 Victory Challenge (SWE 63) 11 6 6
8 Team Shosholoza (RSA 83) 11 3 3
9 Areva Challenge (FRA 60) 11 3 3
10 +39 Challenge (ITA 59) 11 3 3
11 United Internet Team Germany (GER 72) 11 1 1
12 China Team (CHN 79) 11 0 0

semi-finals pairings

DIVISION ONE
Team Name Race 1 Race 2 Race 3 Total
BMW ORACLE Racing
Emirates Team New Zealand

Team Name Race 1 Race 2 Race 3 Total
Alinghi
Luna Rossa Challenge

DIVISION TWO
Team Name Race 1 Race 2 Race 3 Total
Desafío Español 2007
Shosholoza

Team Name Race 1 Race 2 Race 3 Total
Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team
Victory Challenge

DIVISION THREE
Team Name Race 1 Race 2 Race 3 Total
Areva Challenge
China Team

Team Name Race 1 Race 2 Race 3 Total
United Internet Team Germany
+39 Challenge

** The first team listed in each pairing has starboard entry into the start box in the first race. The teams will alternate thereafter.
______________

Note to editors:

Since 1851, the America's Cup has transcended the sport of sailing to become a symbol of the pursuit of excellence. The official partners LOUIS VUITTON, ENDESA, SANTANDER, ALCATEL and the America's Cup share a heritage rich in passion, innovation and extraordinary achievement. The 32nd America's Cup enjoys the support of Nespresso, Adecco, Ford, El Corte Inglés, Estrella Damm, Grupo Leche Pascual and Coca-Cola.

Racing for the 32nd America's Cup - Valencia began with a series of Louis Vuitton Acts in 2004 and 2005. The competition continues in 2006, with three more Louis Vuitton Acts in Valencia, the Host City of the 32nd America's Cup.

Current event: Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 12 - Match Racing - 22 June to 3 July 2006.

In 2007, a fleet race event - Louis Vuitton Act 13 - will precede the Louis Vuitton Cup, the winner of which will race the Defender, Team Alinghi, in the America's Cup Match in Valencia.

© Scoop Media