AC World Series Naples - Artemis Racing move on to semi-finals

by Artemis Racing on 14 Apr 2012 At the America’s Cup World Series Naples, rain, rain, rain and lighter air conditions were the order of day three as competition got underway. Artemis Racing were on form in match racing, defeating Emirates Team New Zealand to move to the semi-finals tomorrow, but struggled in the fleet racing.

'On the whole, we had a pretty tough day, particularly getting off the line. It’s difficult when you get tangled up. Even if guys are over the line, they are in front of you and it is difficult to get past in the short amount of time you have to the reach mark. We had two tough fleet races, but it was nice to finish on a high, by beating Emirates Team New Zealand in the match race,' said wing trimmer Rodney Ardern (NZL).

Recounting Race 1, Skipper Terry Hutchinson (USA) said: 'In the first race we had a reasonable spot on the start line then one of the Oracle Racing boats fouled us at about six seconds. But, we battled back and were going around the track in fourth and everything was going well. Then on the last run, we gybed simultaneously with Luna Rossa, yet lost two boats to finish sixth.'

'As for the second fleet race, it will be interesting to see the video as we were called over, but it certainly didn’t feel like we were over. It was a tough battle from there. That was a bit unfortunate as we were the last one called in the sequence. It was a good effort on everyone’s part to remain composed, take the lumps when we did and keep fighting hard. The hardest part about the day is that I don’t feel that we are sailing as badly as our results reflect in the fleet racing,' continued Terry.

Artemis Racing is first up in the match racing semi-finals tomorrow against Luna Rossa – Swordfish, followed by two fleet races on what promises to be another windy day on the Gulf of Naples.

Artemis Racing website
America's Cup website