AC35: Day 1, Race 6 - Another Ben Ainslie pre-start "love tap," GBR penalized, JPN wins

LAND ROVER BAR FAILED TO RESPOND to a pre-start luff by Dean Barker and SoftBank Team Japan. The yachts collided side-to-side with a big bang, and GBR was penalized. JPN sped off after the start, and led the entire race. But there was visible damage to both yachts – ACTV took multiple live shots of it from the several cameras strategically located on each yacht. The grinders on JPN came dangerously close to taking some of the impact of the collision from the GBR hull, but shook it off and did their jobs without apparent injury. JPN won by almost a kilometer, and there was speculation by the TV commentators as to whether GBR was falling back due to the damage, or if they had throttled back to prevent further problems. The delta in the day's final race: 48 seconds.

Rex Cameron is a young friend and racing sailor and member of SDYC and StFYC. He just texted to suggest that, instead of "There is no second," ACEA could adopt a new slogan, such as "Hull to hull combat" or, as they say in NASCAR, "Rubbin' is racin.'" Either way, no doubt the shore teams for both teams have a long night ahead.

After their win over GBR, the crew with some shore team checking for damage aboard JPN following the pre-start collision with GBR. Land Rover BAR was penalized for not responding to a luff by SoftBank Team Japan.