VALENCIA, Spain – Shosholoza upset Italian syndicate Luna Rossa in the fourth flight of the Louis Vuitton Cup on Tuesday, leaving American entry BMW Oracle Racing as the only unbeaten boat.
The South African yacht led from the start on the southern “Juliet” course to inflict the first defeat for Luna Rossa in America's Cup challengers series racing.
Later Tuesday, BMW Oracle Racing takes on second-place Luna Rossa on “Juliet” in the fifth flight.
Meanwhile, Desafio Espanol beat Mascalzone Latino of Italy on the northern “Romeo” course.
Mascalzone Latino won the pre-start jostling for the starboard position, but Desafio Espanol took the lead on the port side to ultimately win by 39 seconds.
Also on “Romeo,” Emirates Team New Zealand beat Areva Challenge of France by 1 minute, 55 seconds.
BMW Oracle Racing beat Swedish boat Victory Challenge by 1:18 on “Juliet” to move atop the first-stage standings, and United Internet Team Germany won for the first time against winless China Team.
Racing was initially delayed Tuesday because of a lack of wind. The challengers' series has been postponed for six of the previous eight days, allowing only three of a possible 16 flights to have been raced.
Also later on “Juliet,” Victory Challenge races the Germans; the Chinese sail against Shosholoza; +39 Challenge of Italy takes on Mascalzone Latino after its bye; and the Kiwis meet Desafio Espanol.
Areva Challenge has a bye for the fifth flight.
The Louis Vuitton Cup will decide which of the 11 challengers will sail against America's Cup champion Alinghi in the final from June 23-July 4.