France’s Energy Team clinches top seed in 2011 America’s Cup World Series at San Diego Bay
France’s Energy Team skippered by Yann Guichard put up a convincing performance at the San Diego Bay to hit first podium spot of the seeding race. The French team earned 24 points in three seeding races and grabbed top seed in the 2011 America’s Cup World
Series. While defending champions, Jimmy Spithill’s ORACLE Racing Spithill could finish on third place overall.
Yann Guichard Energy Team impressively edged past two of the top sailing teams to emerge on the highest podium on opening day of America's Cup World Series. The French team finished third, fifth and first in the three fleet races on the first day to compile
a score line of 24 points and clinch top seed to take part in match racing championships.
Speaking to media at the conclusion of the day, Guichard said, “It's a perfect day for us. It's a big surprise for us tonight but we sailed really, really well. My team has done a fantastic job. I'm getting more comfortable with the boat each day and I can
really feel the boat well now. We had some good starts and were very fast today. The small teams like us are improving each day.”
The overall America’s Cup World Series leader, Dean Barker’s Emirates Team New Zealand finished second with 23 points. They were followed by Oracle Racing – Spithill, who took third seed and surged directly into the semi-finals match racing along with the
first two.
Overall seeding race standings:
1. Energy Team, Yann Guichard (FRA) 3, 5, 1 - 24 Points
2. Emirates Team New Zealand, Dean Barker (NZL) 2, 3, 5 - 23 Points
3. ORACLE Racing Spithill, James Spithill (USA) 5, 4, 2 - 22 Points
4. Artemis Racing, Terry Hutchinson (SWE) 7, 1, 4 - 21 Points
5. Team Korea, Chris Draper (KOR) 4, 2, 8 - 19 Points
6. ORACLE Racing Coutts, Darren Bundock (USA) 1, 8, 6 - 18 Points
7. Green Comm Racing, Vasilij Žbogar (ESP) 8, 9, 3 - 14 Points
8. ALEPH, Pierre Pennec (FRA) 9, 6, 7 - 12 Points
9. China Team, Charlie Ogletree (CHN)6, 7, 9 – 12 Points
8. ALEPH, Pierre Pennec (FRA) 9, 6, 7 - 12
9. China Team, Charlie Ogletree (CHN)6, 7, 9 – 12
AC 500 speed trials results:
Emirates Team New Zealand - 21.22 knots
ORACLE Racing Spithill - 21.10 knots
ORACLE Racing Coutts - 19.86 knots
Artemis Racing - 19.65 knots
Energy Team - 19.36 knots
Team Korea - 19.18 knots
China Team - 18.54 knots
ALEPH - 18.33 knots
Green Comm Racing - 17.91 knots
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