Dubai: Overall leaders, BMW Oracle asserted their right at the top on the opening day of fleet racing in the RC 44 World Sailing Championships for the Islas Canarias Puerto Calero Cup in Lanzarote, Canary Isles.
After Thursday's three fleet races, BMW Oracle Racing were sitting pretty at the top of the standings with nine points, with two second places and a fifth.
The BMW Oracle crew that includes four-time America's Cup winner Russell Coutts as tactician showed great speed in the light winds, even coming back from a penalty turn in the second race.
Anders Myralf and Jimmy Spithill kept pursuit in their boat, 17, with a third place, a fifth and a top finish in the third and final race of the evening for a total of 15 points and within striking reach of BMW Oracle.
In third was Team Sea Dubai led by Harm Mueller-Spreer and Markus Weiser with 17 points, while Torbjorn Tonrqvist and Terry Hutchinson followed in fourth on board Artemis with 18 points.
Winning feeling
Italian challenger Mascalzone Latino with Vincenzo Onorato and Francesco Bruni on board were tied with Pieter Heerema and Ray Davies in their No Way Back with 19 points apiece.
"I feel like I'm in heaven," exclaimed Jose Juan Calero after guiding BMW Oracle Racing to the top.
BMW Oracle Racing lead the overall standings going into this penultimate round of sailing this season.
But tied in joint second are Team Aqua, No Way Back and Artemis, just one point away from the American leader.
