Challenger for America’s Cup

BMW Oracle Racing widened the gap at the top of the leaderboard with two more victories Thursday in the Louis Vuitton challenger series in Valencia, Spain:

* Highlights: BMW Oracle’s unbeaten USA 98 took a three-point lead by beating Mascalzone Latino of Italy after a victory earlier in the day over another Italian boat, +39 Challenge. Still another Italian boat, Luna Rossa, handed second-place Emirates Team New Zealand its second loss.

* Lowlights: China Team, scheduled to sail against New Zealand and Areva of France, was unable to start because of a keel box problem and forfeited both races.

* What’s next: BMW Oracle and New Zealand will race each other again today. The American boat also will race Desafio Espanol, tied for third.

* Quote of the day: “It is nice to have a three-point margin on the leaderboard but it is very early days.” Peter Isler, BMW Oracle strategist.

*--* STANDINGS Boat Pts 1. BMW Oracle Racing 19 2. Emirates Team New Zealand 16 3. Luna Rossa 15 3. Desafio Espanol 15 5. Mascalzone Latino 14

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