Cup challenge

It stays tied at the top in the Louis Vuitton Cup sailing series to determine the challenger in America’s Cup racing.

Highlights: American team BMW Oracle Racing survived two close races against middle-of-the pack teams, beating Shosholoza of South Africa by 43 seconds and then Victory Challenge by 14 seconds in Valencia, Spain. Luna Rossa stayed in a first-place tie with the Americans by giving United Internet Team Germany its 12th loss and beating Shosholoza by 25 seconds.

* Lowlights: Mascalzone Latino, the Italian team that had lost five consecutive races before bouncing back to beat Desafio Espanol, picked up a $13,640 fine for having the wrong kind of paint on its hull.

* What’s next: The top four boats all sail against each other today. BMW Oracle and Luna Rossa fight it out, and Emirates Team New Zealand races Desafio Espanol.

* Quote of the day: “If we had lost today it might well have been me to step down next.” -- Helmsman Cameron Dunn of Mascalzone Latino, who had replaced Flavio Favini in the post after the team had struggled.

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*--* STANDINGS Boat Pts 1t. BMW Oracle Racing 27 1t. Luna Rossa Challenge 27 3. Emirates Team New Zealand 24 4. Desafio Espanol 2007 21 5. Victory Challenge 18 6. Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia 16 7. Team Shosholoza 14

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