Big blow forecast for final day at Cardiff

Emirates Team New Zealand update - big blow forecast for final day at Cardiff

Today’s pictures are here, the video here

August 24 2014

Another frustrating time for Emirates Team New Zealand on Day 3 of the Extreme Sailing Series.

The day started with the hearing into yesterday’s collision, resulting in the team being awarded average points for the three races missed because of it.

Dean Barker and crew climbed one place in the standings but were unhappy with on-the-water performance overall, and back on shore, immediately debriefed and put their focus on the final day tomorrow.

Today’s forecast was for eight to 10 knots, but with three races sailed the breeze faded across the track and it looked like a complete shut down would occur.

Expecting racing to be called off, the teams waited, hoping for the breeze to build. Their patience was rewarded as it settled and filled in to eight knots and two more races were held.

Dean Barker summed up the day on the water:“We had a couple of better races early on but couldn’t hold the momentum and finished with a couple of average results.”
A big breeze up to 25 knots is forecast for tomorrow, setting the stage for a spectacular finish.
Tomorrow’s final races will be streamed live on www.extremesailingseries.com from 1530 BST (2.30am NZ time.
Cardiff standings after Day 3, 25 races (24.08.14)
1st The Wave, Muscat (OMA) 172 points.
2nd Alinghi (SUI) 165 points.
3rd J.P. Morgan BAR (GBR) 158 points.
4th Realteam by Realstone (SUI) 138 points.
5th SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN) 135 points.
6th Oman Air (OMA) 129 points.
7th Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) 126 points.
8th Emirates Team New Zealand 110 points.
9th GAC Pindar (AUS) 106 points.
10th Gazprom Team Russia (105 points.
11th Groupama sailing team (FRA) 99 points.

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