Drama during practice in chicago

DRAMA DURING PRACTICE IN CHICAGO

Emirates Team New Zealand had a dramatic introduction to racing on Lake Michigan today, capsizing their AC45 while leading into a tight bottom mark during its match race against defender Oracle Team USA

No one was injured and the boat, once upright again, rejoined the competition for the final fleet race of the day where they beat main rivals Oracle Team USA and Land Rover BAR.

With temperatures reaching 30 degrees and an average windspeed of around 14 knots, the puffy conditions which varied from 5 to 20 knots, set the stage for some of the best action the World Series has seen.

“We certainly needed the practice day today,” said skipper Glenn Ashby, “We haven't sailed together since New York and it was certainly a baptism of fire here in Chicago, but we weren't the only ones that were a bit wobbly getting around the track. There were plenty of boats having difficulty today.”

Ashby was referring to Oracle who also capsized in the final race of the day.

The day’s schedule consisted of two practice fleet races, a match race and a ‘spare’ fleet race which will be kept in reserve in case the full race schedule does not get finished on Sunday. There were constant position changes and the differences in gains or losses were down to the smallest mistake or the slightest difference in pressure on the race course.

“What we saw today, and now know for the weekend, is that no matter how comfortable ahead you are or how far back you fall you can be in the complete opposite position within seconds” said tactician Ray Davies.

The real drama of the day was no doubt in the match race. Emirates Team New Zealand helmsman Peter Burling showed his class getting the better of the veteran James Spithill in the pre-start and leading Oracle around first mark, maintaining their lead until the final rounding mark where the Emirates Team New Zealand boat wound up and tipped over directly in front of the Navy Pier crowd.

“We had a little bit of a rudder ventilation going into the turn and two of our guys got ejected off the boat. I didn't quite make it to the tiller in time and we rolled the boat on its side.” said Ashby.

“Luckily no one was hurt and the support boat did an amazing job getting the boat back upright to minimise any damage.”

Helmsman Burling continued, “You have to push hard and certainly against Oracle you don't want to take your foot off the accelerator so these things can happen especially in great breeze like we have today. It’s all part of the learning, it’s what training days are for, so we will check the boat tonight and get it back in the water and be ready for racing tomorrow.”

LVACWS Chicago will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sports NZ

LIVE ON SKY SPORT 3

Day 1 Sunday 12th June, 6:30am, SKY Sport 3

Day 2 Monday 13th June, 6:30am, SKY Sport 3

plus : highlights - check guides for broadcast details

ENDS

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