Italian's winning formula

The Italian and two American syndicates were the winners yesterday in the first day of the semi-finals of the Louis Vuitton Cup challenger series for the America's Cup.

After a two-week break for Christmas and the New Year, the Louis Vuitton Cup resumed in Auckland's Hauraki Gulf, the original field of 11 challengers now culled to six for the start of the semi-finals.

Prada's Luna Rossa resumed its winning form with a convincing win over America True after the Italians stretched a small lead.

Dennis Conner capitalised on an early windshift and Stars and Stripes beat Nippon deftly.

AmericaOne launched its second boat USA61 to a successful debut, beating the French Le Difi Francais with superior boat speed on the upwind legs.

Racing started in about 10 knots of north-northeast wind and during the race the wind ranged from eight to 18 knots.

In the match between the Italians and America True, John Cutler on America True used the spectator fleet to escape from Francesco de Angelis on Prada's Luna Rossa.

The Italians made a short tack out to the right just after the start and picked up a small shift that they converted into a tiny lead.

When the boats converged again, de Angelis pressed his advantage, forcing America True to the left. Nippon Challenge's Asura showed his match racing skills with a spectacular bear-away escape. His crew chose the right side of the start line and crossed it one second ahead of Ken Read steering Stars and Stripes.

Nippon had some separation to windward but Stars and Stripes pulled slightly ahead - the Americans showing good speed and pointing well.

Gilmour tacked to the right, while Stars & Stripes continued on a starboard tack, expecting a lefthand shift.

The Stars and Stripes was proved correct. When the pair first crossed, the Americans were more than 300 metres in the lead.

Stars and Stripes sailed conservatively from then on, defending its impressive lead in the shifty conditions.

Finally AmericaOne skippered and steered by Paul Cayard took early control and led at all markers to beat Le Difi Francais.