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Emirates Team New Zealand: First "real" point on the board
Emirates Team New Zealand update - First "real" point on the board
Emirates Team New Zealand beat
Luna Rossa today in the first real race of the 2013 Louis
Vuitton Cup challenger series. Three previous races ion
round robin 1 were sailed without opponents on the
course.
It was a comprehensive win. Emirates Team
New Zealand put on a flawless display of boat handling in
the breeze that peaked at just under 20 knots.
The
pressure was on today. Emirates Team New Zealand won the
start, denying the Italians the leeward position; Dean
Barker started fast, crossing the line at more than 40
knots.
At the first mark, Barker and crew were 5s
ahead. At the finish the advantage to New Zealand was 5m
23s.
The fans were the really big winners. They
were treated to a magnificent display by both AC72s with a
hint of bigger things to come.
It was the first
time the AC72s have raced on an America’s Cup course with
a point at stake. There were lessons to be learned and one
of the main ones would apply to any match race in any class
of yacht and on any race course.
Get a good start.
Dean Barker and crew nailed the start today, crossing the
line ahead and at speed. They rounded the first mark ahead
by only 5s and extended on the run to the bottom
mark.
There was a big tide today. In the
conditions, the San Francisco Bay course has few passing
options for the following boat even if they are
faster.
Great crew work can win races. The boys
sailed superbly today in the first contested race of the
Louis Vuitton Cup. Wing trimmer Glenn Ashby said they felt
that today they sailed the AC72 better than they ever had
before.
On the water time is extremely valuable.
Grant Dalton: “Everyone knew their job and they just
clicked into it straight away.”
No one on
Emirates Team New Zealand thinks there’s an easy road
ahead.
“It was a good encounter. We are further
ahead on the development curve. Luna Rossa’s target has
always been to peak in the Louis Vuitton Cup finals. We will
have to keep on getting better.”
Tomorrow Artemis
v Emirates Team New Zealand. Artemis will not
start.
ENDS
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