Saturday, 9th October
As wind built up throughout the day, the race committee was able to launch 3 flights of 4 matches, making up for Wednesday's postponement. With up to 25 knots blowing from NNE, the scene was set for some spectacular action and fans were not disappointed. Close quarter dueling in the pre-starts, penalties given, two premature starts, blown spinnakers and much more : the demands of the long day on gear and crew took their toll as Shosholoza and +39 failed to start in their last races.

While the first match between Alinghi and Oracle was expected to be the closest match of the morning, the local crowd had to wait for the third race of the flight to see a real battle raging, as K-Challenge and Shosholoza exchanged the lead twice during the 8-mile long course.  The French were able to find even more breeze on the right and close a 33-second gap downwind in an outstanding last leg to win by 5 seconds, despite a splendid last minute come-back by the South Africans. As they say in Valencia... "Foto Finish" !

And there was more to come... The first flight of Round Robin 2 showcased a "Battle of the French", which turned in favor of prospective challenger Le Defi.  The point they scored is very important with the two teams tied for 5th place with 3-5 win-loss records.

The action kept flowing all over the race course, as BMW Oracle and Luna Rossa engaged in what has been one the closest races sailed since the beginning of the Louis Vuitton Acts last month. Despite their premature start, BMW Oracle was able to close the gap to 7 seconds at the end of the first downwind leg, and took the lead over in the last run as Luna Rossa blew their spinnaker in a gust. The downwind battle raged as both boats kept calling for 'Proper Course' until ITA-74 gybed away towards the line. USA-76 then gybed for a five boatlength dash towards the pin end.  BMW Oracle made it first over the line...but touched the mark with their spinnaker!  Penalty for Blue and the match to Luna Rossa who remain co-leaders with Emirates Team New Zealand at record of 7 wins and 1 loss.

Stay tuned...The big match between leaders Luna Rossa and Emirates Team New Zealand is set for tomorrow !