The Orient Express Racing Team crew lost after experiencing a technical problem and found themselves caught up in the standings by Alinghi.
Big disappointment for the French challenge in the Louis Vuitton Cup, this Tuesday in Barcelona. The Orient Express Racing Team lost to Alinghi Red Bull Racing, which scored its first point in the challengers’ competition responsible for selecting Team New Zealand’s future opponent in the America’s Cup, in October. A defeat that allows the Swiss to come back level with the French, with one win each, at the back of the pack in the standings, knowing that the last at the end of this round robin will be definitively eliminated from the competition.
“It’s not over”
In this crucial duel played out in the rain and between 10 and 15 knots of wind, the French challenge crossed the starting line late, before being the victim of a technical problem on the second tack of the first close-hauled leg. The Swiss took advantage of this to take the lead. It’s unfortunate but it’s not over yet “, indicated Quentin Delapierre, the skipper of the French boat at the end of the regatta which ended with a delay of 1 minute and 10 seconds, after having counted 1 minute and 38 seconds at the first buoy.
After this defeat which comes at the worst possible time against its closest rival, the French crew must meet the leader of the ranking, the Italian Luna Rossa, this Tuesday afternoon.
