Ready and steady for the pressure ahead

Sometimes difficult sailing conditions in Barcelona contributed to a frustrating day for Orient Express Racing Team, but still leaves the determined French challenger with two more races to qualify for the Semi Final of the Louis Vuitton Cup.

While weather conditions were stable for the opening races it became trickier later in the afternoon with big wind holes on the racecourse.

Orient Express Racing Team's first race of the day saw them take on the unbeaten Italian crew on Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli. An early penalty for a boundary infringement saw Orient Express Racing Team lose the initiative, and though they were able to keep pace with Luna Rossa they were unable to challenge them for the lead.

On their second race against Emirates Team New Zealand both teams found the sailing conditions difficult, with both AC75s falling off their foils, with the French team at one point clear ahead of the defending America's Cup team.

However, as a frank and honest French skipper Quentin Delapierre explained: "It was a shame today as we had an unforced error in the first start. And then in our second race we were in the lead against Emirates Team New Zealand and I lost my rhythm in the gybes, and that was another unforced error."

With Alinghi Red Bull Racing claiming an earlier victory over American Magic, the day ended with Orient Express Racing Team at the bottom of the Louis Vuitton Cup standings but still with all to play for over the weekend.

As a still determined Delapierre said: "Nothing is done yet, and there is plenty to do on Saturday and Sunday. We have a quick boat and we as a crew have improved a lot and are a lot tighter."

And of their US opponents on Saturday he added: "We need to get back to a winning mindset on Saturday. If Alinghi Red Bull Racing can beat American Magic we are also able to, and that's what we need to do to equalise the standing. And then on Sunday, against the British, we shall see what happens."

Delapierre today raced with fellow co-pilot Kevin Peponnet, trimmers Jason Saunders and Matthieu Vandamme, and the powerhouse cyclor squad of Timothé Lapauw, Olivier Herlédant, Antoine Nougarède, Germain Chardin, Maxime Guyon, François Pervis, and brothers Rémi and Thibaut Verhoeven, with four taking part in each race.

Friday is a lay day before Orient Express Racing Team take on NYYC American Magic on Saturday, and INEOS Britannia in Sunday's first race.

SCHEDULE FOR SATURDAY 7 SEPTEMBER 

Match 22: USA vs ITA
Start: 14:10
Match 23: GBR vs SUI
Match 26: USA vs FRA
Match 27: NZL vs SUI
Match 25: ITA vs GBR