 Victory Challenge can still reach the Louis Vuitton Cup semi-finals |
Sweden's Victory Challenge kept alive their hopes of grabbing the last semi-final spot in the Louis Vuitton Cup with a win over Desafio Espanol. The Swedes closed the gap on their Spanish rivals but need to win both their last two races and hope that Desafio Espanol lose theirs.
BMW Oracle, Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa have already secured their places in the final four in Valencia.
The Louis Vuitton Cup winners will race holders Alinghi for the America's Cup.
With two flights of races to go, Oracle lead the rankings on 35 points, just one ahead of Team New Zealand with the two boats going head-to-head in the final flight on Wednesday.
Luna Rossa are third with 31 points, while Desafio have 29 and Victory Challenge 26.
The boat that finishes top of the standings after round robin two will have the advantage of choosing their opponents in the semi-finals.
Desafio must win one of their remaining races against Oracle and Luna Rossa or hope that Victory lose to Team New Zealand or Mascalzone if they are to clinch the remaining semi-final berth.
"We have to be optimistic because there are two races left and if we win either one we are through," said Desafio trimmer Marcos Iglesias.
Round Robin 2nd stage. Flight nine.
Emirates Team New Zealand (NZ) bt Luna Rossa (Ita) 36 sec
+39 Challenge (Ita) bt Team Shosholoza (SA) 50 sec
Areva Challenge (Fra) bt China Team (Chi) 3:03
BMW Oracle Racing (USA) bt Mascalzone Latino (Ita) 57sec
Victory Challenge (Swe) bt Desafio Espanol (Spa) 7sec Bye: United Internet Team Germany (Ger)
Standings: matches/points
1. BMW ORACLE Racing 18/35
2. Emirates Team New Zealand 18/34
3. Luna Rossa Challenge 18/31
4. Desafio Espanol 2007 18/29
5. Victory Challenge 18/26
6. Mascalzone Latino 18/20
7. Team Shosholoza 19/18
8. Areva Challenge 18/15
9. +39 Challenge 18/8
10. United Internet Team Germany 18/5
11. China Team 19/3
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