Alinghi Red Bull keeps its hopes alive in the Louis Vuitton Cup. The Swiss team shortened the gap to 1:4 in the semi-final against the British in light winds.
Until just under halfway through the original distance, which was shortened at short notice due to light winds, Alinghi Red Bull's elimination seemed sealed without a win in the best-of-nine semi-final of the preliminary round, which will determine Team New Zealand's challenger for the America's Cup. The Swiss boat fell off the foils once again and was over 40 seconds behind at one point.
But then the crew with skipper Ben Ainslie also made one of the rare mistakes, or rather the wind, which turned into a breeze, ensured that the British yacht also slipped off the foils and was practically stationary.
Britannia did manage to "fly" again, but the wind strength dropped again, so that both boats chugged towards the finish at speeds of five to ten knots - and Alinghi Red Bull still remained within the permitted time limit. The sixth duel of the Red Bull Alinghi - Britannia semi-final will also take place on Monday.
SDA