Oracle starts showdown with win over OneWorld

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — In a major water fight yesterday, Seattle's OneWorld Challenge lost to San Francisco-based Oracle BMW Racing in the first race of the America's Cup challenger series semifinals.

Oracle's black-hulled racing yacht, financed by database tycoon Larry Ellison, crossed the finish line 4 minutes, 8 seconds ahead of OneWorld as a fickle breeze died on Hauraki Gulf.

It was a day of strategic maneuvers, intense tacking duels and physically demanding sailing.

Oracle's victory gives it a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series in the semifinal repechage round. The winner will advance to the Louis Vuitton Cup challenger finals in January.

Seattle's defeat actually puts the syndicate two points behind. OneWorld entered the repechage round with a one-point race penalty because of technical violations.

Yesterday's race began in calm seas and winds of about 7 knots. Large rain clouds lingered over nearby volcanic Rangitoto Island, threatening to produce a squall on the course.

OneWorld helmsman James Spithill won the start from Oracle helmsman Peter Holmberg by securing the favored leeward position and crossing the starting line a second ahead of Oracle.

When the two boats first crossed tacks several minutes later, OneWorld's blue-hulled yacht was still ahead. When they crossed tacks again, OneWorld skipper Peter Gilmour chose to stick to the right side of the course. His gamble failed to pay off. Oracle found a pocket of wind on the left side, capitalized on it and rounded the first mark 49 seconds ahead.

Running downwind with a genaker, Oracle held onto its lead of 8 boat lengths as a school of dolphins swam nearby.

OneWorld nibbled away at Oracle's lead but couldn't close the gap much. Dropping its spinnaker and rounding the second buoy, Oracle was 42 seconds ahead.

On the second windward leg, OneWorld forced Oracle into a fierce tacking duel. Halfway up the course, OneWorld pinched Oracle's lead to within 4 boat lengths. But rounding the third mark, Oracle was still 25 seconds ahead.

OneWorld forced Oracle into another tacking duel on the final windward leg, hoping to wear Oracle down. OneWorld momentarily burst into the lead near the final mark, but Oracle rounded it 10 seconds ahead.

On the last downwind leg, the breeze died to just 4 knots and rain began to fall. OneWorld's skipper had hoped to find some fresh wind on the left side of the course. There was none. Oracle pulled ahead by 20 boat lengths.

Semifinal repechage

(best of seven)

(OneWorld penalized one point for rules violation)

Yesterday

Oracle def. OneWorld by 4 minutes, 8 seconds (Oracle 1, OneWorld -1).

Today

OneWorld vs. Oracle.

Louis Vuitton Cup

Jan. 11-25

Alinghi vs. semifinal repechage winner in best of nine.

America's Cup

Feb. 15-28

Team New Zealand vs. Louis Vuitton winner in best of nine.