Artemis Team Sweden in action against Oracle Team USA off Bermuda. Photo/America's Cup
Artemis Team Sweden in action against Oracle Team USA off Bermuda. Photo/America's Cup
America's Cup holders Oracle Team USA have suffered their first loss of the qualifier series off Bermuda, falling to Team Sweden in their second race of day two.
Taking full advantage of the ability to contest the challenger regatta for the first time, the defenders had barely raised a sweat in defeating France, Team NZ and Ben Ainslie Racing in their opening outings.
But the Swedes, skipper by Nathan Outteridge, controlled their race from the outset and eventually prevailed by 39 seconds, showing other teams the way to topple the champions.
Sweden entered this regatta as one of the favoured teams, after their impressive showing in practice racing, but had been upset by BAR and France early in their schedule.
Team USA brought their account to 4-1 with victory over Team Japan late in the day, in a rematch of the two skippers that contested the last America's Cup off San Francisco - Aussie Jimmy Spithill and Kiwi Dean Barker.
They had suffered significant damage on opening day, after a pre-start collision with Team Japan and shore crew would have worked feverishly overnight, just to get the AC50 to the start.
Skipper Sir Ben Ainslie held an advantage in the early stages against Oracle and led by seven seconds at the second mark.
But the decisive third leg saw USA take advantage of shifty winds to pass down the third leg and sail away to a 39-second win.
Ben Ainslie Racing in action at America's Cup qualifier series off Bermuda. Photo/America's Cup
Team France recorded their first win of the regatta, upsetting Team Sweden in their opening race of the second day.
After two huge losses to USA and NZ on opening day, the French, who had not won a single practice race in the build-up, seemed completely overmatched, but dramatically reversed their fortunes in the shifty winds.
Outteridge seemed to take a conservative approach to the start, allowing France to cross the line ahead, but quickly took control down the first leg, opening a 12-second advantage.
France skipper Franck Cammas made big gains down the third leg, turning the deficit into a 22-second lead, and managed to cover Sweden's desperate attempts to gather them in.
The French boat fell off its foils with the finish-line in sight, but staggered home for a mere three-second victory.
"We are very happy, for sure, to win this race," said Cammas. "It is the first win for us, the crew did a great job and it is great for the future."
Day 2 schedule: R7: Groupama Team France beat Artemis by 3 secs R8: Oracle Team USA beat Ben Ainslie Racing by 39 secs R9: Emirates Team NZ beat Team Japan by 33 secs R10: Artemis Racing beat Oracle Team USA by 39 seconds R11: Emirates Team NZ v Ben Ainslie Racing 7.05am R12: Oracle Team USA beat Team Japan by 54 secs
