"She points like a Hollywood tour guide" -- the somewhat mixed metaphor (but definitely cleaner than one or two that subsequently occurred to me) offered up just now by our master machinist Trevor "Rev" Berry (NZL), referring to how close-winded Alinghi's SUI-75 is. In today's race she started to leeward of ETNZ and, once again, used the infamous Alinghi "high mode" to squeeze off ETNZ, and force them to tack away. That was pretty much race over, as Alinghi went on to spank ETNZ -- winning by more than half a kilometer.

Our match with Luna Rossa was tight at first, but 76 extended throughout and led wire to wire -- winning by a dozen or so boatlengths and giving us 10 wins and 1 loss to Alinghi's 11-0. ETNZ is third on 8-3 (having lost three in a row), and Luna Rossa 4th, also on 8-3 but losing on the tie-break as ETNZ beat LR in their match.

Hats off to Alinghi for another fine job; and while we were the best of the Challengers, there is room for improvement. But a good step forward in Act 6 for BMWOR. Needless to say, ours is a happy and relaxed camp this afternoon -- I think the best it has been in some time.

Now two days off (well, at least no racing), and then the fleet racing Act 7 Friday through Sunday. Two races each of Friday and Saturday, and one slated for Sunday. In the big picture, Act 7 counts the same as Act 6.

Below, this morning's HOD ("heads of department") meeting, a daily 08:00 gathering of "mission control." Clockwise from the lower left: p.r. manager Jane Eagleson's (USA) back, sailing team coordinator Aimee Hess (USA), marketing coordinators Alejandra Mato (ESP), and Kerstin "Handstand" Schulz (GER), ops director Laurent Esquier (FRA), meteorologist Chris Bedford (USA), support boat manager Captain Craig Christensen (NZL), rules advisor Richard Slater (AUS) and the back of shore team manager Tim Hacket's head (AUS). Sorry Jane and Tim, but then I never claimed to be Gilles Martin-Raget!


The intensity in the faces at this morning's HOD has given way
to broad smiles this afternoon.