Barker top of the leader board after two days at Naples

Barker top of the leader board after two days at Naples

April 12 2012

Emirates Team New Zealand is leading on points after four fleet races at the America’s Cup World Series Naples regatta.

Starting the day equal first with Oracle Racing 4, Barker began where he left off yesterday - with a win.

The team’s scoreline for Naples reads 8,10,10,10, which translates to 38 points on the regatta leader board, nine ahead of Oracle Racing 4, skippered by James Spithill.

Skipper Dean Barker said the team’s crew-work today was excellent. “I think we stepped up from yesterday.

“With conditions sharply different from yesterday – eight to 12 knots and flat water – life on board was much easier and we made the most of it. The boys we slick in all the manoeuvres and boat speed felt good.”

Today’s first race saw Emirates Team New Zealand get away cleanly and lead around the first mark, get clear air and sail away. Dean Barker, Glenn Ashby, Ray Davies, Jeremy Lomas and James Dagg were never troubled.

They sailed a faultless race, extending on every leg and finished 2m27s ahead of Luna Rossa P with a procession following in quick succession – Artemnis 2m33s and Oracle Racing 5 2m45s.

The second race was almost a carbon copy of the first with the exception of the lacings at the first mark. Emirates Team New Zealand was second around, chaing Luna Rossa Swordfish.

On the run they rolled the Ialians rounded the leeward gate in first place and were never headed. At the finish Barker was 45s ahead of the Luna Rossa S with Luna Rossa P 1m16s.

Leader board after four races.

Emirates Team New Zealand – 38pts
Oracle Racing 4 - 29
Luna Rossa Piranha- 27
Team Korea – 27
Energy Team - 25
Luna Rossa Piranha – 27
Oracle Racing 5 – 16
Artemis Racing – 12
China Team – 4

ENDS

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