Obviously on form once again, Energy Team has qualified for the final of the San Diego Match Racing Championship after eliminating Artemis Racing (Terry Hutchinson) yesterday. It took Yann Guichard and his men just two races to knock out one of the heavyweights in the America’s Cup World Series. The next challenge for the French team will be to win the final on Saturday against Oracle Racing Spithill, who overcame Emirates Team New Zealand in yesterday’s other duel. We look at the two races that took place to allow Energy Team to reach the final.
Match 1: Energy Team and Artemis Racing (Terry Hutchinson) set off in a light wind, blowing between 7 and 9 knots, but which was relatively stable in strength and direction. The Swedish team had a slight advantage crossing the line half a length ahead of the French and rounding the first mark in the lead. Early in the second downwind leg, Yann Guichard, in the wake of Terry Hutchinson, gybed a few seconds before Artemis, allowing the French to gain the advantage and round the second mark with a lead of twelve seconds. They held on to this advantage on the upwind climb towards the third mark. On the second downwind leg, Yann Guichard and his men kept their calm sailing along at 17 knots and widening the gap. The result, a lead of 18 seconds at mark 4. Terry Hutchinson was to recover in the next upwind leg after opting for the left hand side of the race course: the French boat only had a lead of 11 seconds over Artemis Racing at the fifth mark. Feeling the pressure, Energy Team had to give a faultless performance on the final downwind leg. Thanks to their smooth manoeuvres and good constant speed, the French were able to control their opponent and went on to win an excellent first race.
Match 2 : Artemis once again got the best start, but Energy Team was just a length behind. Still trailing at the first mark, Yann Guichard gybed again at the right time and sped away to gain the advantage on the first downwind leg. History was repeating itself. Energy Team rounded the leeward mark with a lead of 13 seconds. On the upwind leg Artemis Racing opted for the left-hand side of the race course to head for mark 3, and took advantage of a puff of air to get back in the game. But Terry Hutchinson then lost a lot of time with two changes of tack more than Yann Guichard, who was way out in front by the windward gate. The two boats took different options on the second downwind leg: Energy Team went left, while their rival opted for the right. With a fairly poor gybe, Artemis Racing let the French team get away again and they went on to complete the first lap with a comfortable 43-second lead. Sailing very cleanly, remaining faster than their opponents, Yann Guichard’s crew sailed away alone on the upwind leg to mark 5 to begin the final downwind run. Energy Team easily win this second race and in so doing qualified in fine style for the final of the San Diego Match Racing Championship.
Yann Guichard, skipper, Energy Team: “The goal was not to take any risks on the start today. After the start, we were very confident in our speed and tactics. So we started just behind but in a position to pass on the first gybe… Then, the wind was very shifty and sometimes we were a little lucky, but a great day. I’m so happy for the team.”
Final : Energy Team vs Oracle Spithill
In the other semi-final, which saw Emirates Team New Zealand (Dean Barker) do battle against Oracle Spithill, it was the latter that came out on top eliminating the Kiwis in just two races. On Saturday, the final of the San Diego Match Racing Championship will see the French team, Energy Team up against the American Defender, Oracle (James Spithill).
From : Agence Mer et Media / Energy Team
Credit : G. Martin Raget
Match 1: Energy Team and Artemis Racing (Terry Hutchinson) set off in a light wind, blowing between 7 and 9 knots, but which was relatively stable in strength and direction. The Swedish team had a slight advantage crossing the line half a length ahead of the French and rounding the first mark in the lead. Early in the second downwind leg, Yann Guichard, in the wake of Terry Hutchinson, gybed a few seconds before Artemis, allowing the French to gain the advantage and round the second mark with a lead of twelve seconds. They held on to this advantage on the upwind climb towards the third mark. On the second downwind leg, Yann Guichard and his men kept their calm sailing along at 17 knots and widening the gap. The result, a lead of 18 seconds at mark 4. Terry Hutchinson was to recover in the next upwind leg after opting for the left hand side of the race course: the French boat only had a lead of 11 seconds over Artemis Racing at the fifth mark. Feeling the pressure, Energy Team had to give a faultless performance on the final downwind leg. Thanks to their smooth manoeuvres and good constant speed, the French were able to control their opponent and went on to win an excellent first race.
Match 2 : Artemis once again got the best start, but Energy Team was just a length behind. Still trailing at the first mark, Yann Guichard gybed again at the right time and sped away to gain the advantage on the first downwind leg. History was repeating itself. Energy Team rounded the leeward mark with a lead of 13 seconds. On the upwind leg Artemis Racing opted for the left-hand side of the race course to head for mark 3, and took advantage of a puff of air to get back in the game. But Terry Hutchinson then lost a lot of time with two changes of tack more than Yann Guichard, who was way out in front by the windward gate. The two boats took different options on the second downwind leg: Energy Team went left, while their rival opted for the right. With a fairly poor gybe, Artemis Racing let the French team get away again and they went on to complete the first lap with a comfortable 43-second lead. Sailing very cleanly, remaining faster than their opponents, Yann Guichard’s crew sailed away alone on the upwind leg to mark 5 to begin the final downwind run. Energy Team easily win this second race and in so doing qualified in fine style for the final of the San Diego Match Racing Championship.
Yann Guichard, skipper, Energy Team: “The goal was not to take any risks on the start today. After the start, we were very confident in our speed and tactics. So we started just behind but in a position to pass on the first gybe… Then, the wind was very shifty and sometimes we were a little lucky, but a great day. I’m so happy for the team.”
Final : Energy Team vs Oracle Spithill
In the other semi-final, which saw Emirates Team New Zealand (Dean Barker) do battle against Oracle Spithill, it was the latter that came out on top eliminating the Kiwis in just two races. On Saturday, the final of the San Diego Match Racing Championship will see the French team, Energy Team up against the American Defender, Oracle (James Spithill).
From : Agence Mer et Media / Energy Team
