Challenger for America’s Cup

Sweden’s Victory Challenge stayed alive Monday in Louis Vuitton Cup sailing, beating Desafio Espanol at Valencia, Spain, in the series that will determine the challenger for Alinghi in America’s Cup racing this summer.

Highlight: The Swedish boat kept to the middle of the “Juliet” course and won by seven seconds, keeping the Spanish boat from clinching the last semifinal spot.

* Lowlight: Desafio Espanol declined to protest after Victory Challenge purposely dropped its spinnaker to the water to save time rounding the second marker.

* Oracle: BMW Oracle, with a semifinal berth assured, stayed in first place by a point by beating Mascalzone Latino of Italy. The Italian boat had to restart after crossing the line early.

* What’s ahead: Desafio Espanol can clinch the last semifinal spot with a victory over BMW Oracle today -- or if Victory Challenge loses. The Swedish boat needs to win twice, against New Zealand and Mascalzone Latino.

* Quote of the day: “The team that makes the first error will probably lose.... We’ve been winning so to change anything in our preparation would be idiocy.” -- Navigator Matt Wachowicz of Desafio Espanol.

*--* STANDINGS Boat Pts 1. BMW Oracle Racing 35 2. Emirates Team New Zealand 34 3. Luna Rossa Challenge 31 4. Desafio Espanol 2007 29 5. Victory Challenge 26

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Source: Times Wire Reports