On Friday, we had the opportunity of watching two races for the UBS Trophy. The races were supposed to be held close to Fort Adams, but after a two hour postponement due to fog, the race committee moved the races north of the Newport bridge. Alinghi came from behind to win both races.
The first race saw the two boats split at the start. Oracle benefited from a wind shift, and led when the two boats came back together. As they headed to the top mark, a right hand shift gave Oracle the advantage as they cracked off, to make for the windward mark. Oracle rounded first, both boats had great sets. They split, and in the light air Alinghi was able to come back at Oracle on a starboard jibe. She passed her and held her off for the rest of the race.
The Second race was supposed to have W5 for the course (windward, leeward, windward, leeward and finish to windward). With the outgoing tide, Alinghi was over early at the start, but that race was restarted. It was a split tack start with Alinghi starting at the pin, and Oracle heading out on port. This race was the last race of the series in which the owners where at the helm. Oracle was driven by Larry Ellison, and Alinghi by Ernesto Bertarelli. Local hero Ken Read was on board Oracle providing tactical insight. When the boats came back together, Oracle had a slight lead. At the top of the short windward beat, Alinghi was able to use the starboard roundings to her advantage, and keep Oracle from rounding. The boats did a tack set and headed down the leeward mark with Alinghi 3 boat lengths ahead of Oracle. Both boats did a conservative take down because of the fog, and headed back up wind. With fog moving in the race committee shortened the race to a final up wind beat. The two boats split tacks, with Oracle going left towards the aircraft carriers at the Navy base. A left handed shift helped Oracle after she tacked, but it was not enough. Alinghi crossed the finish line but the race will have to be settled in the protest room. The Race committee had set up so the boats would have to leave the pin to port, not to starboard as per the race instructions. Alinghi two wins today ensured that tomorrow's racing would determine the ultimate victor.