AC35: Day 7, irrelevant Races 13, 14 and 15 at the end of RR2

Race 13 – JPN v. GBR

An uninspiring but fairly close battle of two in the running for last place among the Challengers going forward to the Playoffs. GBR look a bit better today, but both teams are likely on their heavy-air foils in the lighter air that has come earlier to the race course than predicted. GBR win the start (Dean Barker's second dismal start in a row after arguably winning all his previous starts) and take the win by 13 seconds.

Race Director Iain Murray has set the shortest race courses yet; obviously just going through the motions and trying to get all four completed within two hours, not the 2.5 hours used for other four-race days.

Race 14 – SWE v. FRA

FRA are pinged for an obvious intentional windward-leeward foul at the start. The penalty for an intentional foul is doubled – four lengths of go-slow. SWE cruise to a huge 2:35 win. Boooooring and ugly. Sad for gentlemanly Franck Cammas et Cie on Groupama Team France as they are now – as the New York YC would say during the 12M era in Newport –excused from further participation. Even the TV commentators called it an exhibition race for Artemis.

Race 15 – USA v. GBR

OTUSA easily win the start and sail off to a comfortable lead which they maintain around the tack. It's obvious to your Ed. that OTUSA are keeping it close so as to not make it an obvious walk-over. You can tell just by the Fly Times – OTUSA's is worse than LRBAR as clearly Jimmy is reining in his steed "17" so as not to trounce Sir Ben in this final race of of the Qualifiers. And Kenny appears to have bought it hook, line and sinker as he gas-bags on about what a great race GBR are having. However, I am sure that Ken knows the real story here but is talking up BAR's "continuing improvement" to do something, anything, to lend some gravity to this sadly irrelevant race. OTUSA win by :36.

N.B. NZL will reveal at the Skipper's Post Race press conference which team they will choose as their Semifinal opponent. We will carry the presser live here on SAILING ILLUSTRATED.

OTUSA win two today, and with their win over the Kiwis are on top at the end of the Round Robins thereby gaining a 1-0 lead in the America's Cup Match which starts in two weeks.