French challengers Le Défi Areva have bowed out of the challenger series for the 2003 America's Cup, losing their quarterfinal series to Sweden's Victory Challenge four races to one.
It proved a sad goodbye for the French team on the Hauraki Gulf this afternoon in a race that slipped inexorably away once the Swedes took the lead on the first beat.
Orm SWE-73 sailed an efficient and well-disciplined race to win by a handsome margin. In the pre-start Le Défi FRA-69 gained early control as the boats headed to the right into the spectator fleet.
Jesper Bank, at the helm of Orm, managed to escape with an aggressive gybe around Victory Challenge's own flagship, the famous motor launch Black Knight.
Nevertheless, the French hit the line at speed and slightly ahead of the Swedes, who were to leeward.
On the beat the French initially gained on the right-hand side, but their lead soon evaporated as Victory Challenge boat got into its stride and benefited from the left shift to crossed clear ahead of le Défi at the second cross.
Bank then extended Orm's lead to round the first windward mark by 33 seconds.
Downwind, Orm stretched her legs to build an unassailable lead and le Défi struggled to fight back, hindered by spinnaker halyard problems. They also had to sail the second run without the spinnaker pole topping lift.
Winds: 15-20k
Winning margin: 02.34
Victory Challenge wins series 4-1 to advance to quarterfinal repechage. Le Defi Areva eliminated.
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Racing schedule, results and standings
Swedes send Le Défi home
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