The Swiss face the wall
Alinghi and American Magic each won in very light, shifty conditions, reducing the gap to 4-1 against their respective rivals, Ineos Britannia and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli. And it was far from a foregone conclusion.
Ineos Britannia took the lead from the start, after Alinghi Red Bull Racing was penalized for crossing the line too early. Ineos Britannia then increased its lead downwind, but a weak wind at the bottom of the course cost them victory. During a change of tack at the start of the second upwind leg, the British team struggled to stay airborne, allowing Arnaud Psarofaghis and his team to fly past them.
It was a cruel sight to see the British stuck, while the Swiss quietly flew past them in light airs. Ineos Britannia tried to get going again, but fell back on the rest of the course.
The suspense remained, as the Swiss also stopped the flight. The two Challengers finished the race in Archimedean mode, with a comfortable lead for the Swiss. The Swiss fans were astonishingly happy, but there's still a long way to go before Alinghi Red Bull Racing emerges victorious from this semi-final.
The Americans are also playing for their survival
In slightly steadier conditions, Luna Rossa and American Magic faced off in one of the best races since the start of the series. Racing in close contact at similar speeds, the two crews showed great aggressiveness, with the leader changing on each tack.
Under pressure, Luna Rossa makes a mistake at the leeward mark, in a gybe in which it stops flying. The Americans continue to fly, and build up a considerable lead, in a scenario that has already been seen time and again since the start of racing on the Barcelona race course.
As soon as one competitor stops flying, his opponent escapes at three times the speed and "folds the Game". The next heats take place on Wednesday, and the pressure is on for the Swiss and Americans, who have no room for error if they are to qualify for the final.
