Louis Vuitton Pacific Series - Fisher's View- Smiles in the rain

by Bob Fisher on 14 Feb 2009 The rain that fell on the Waitemata could not douse the delight of the locals as Emirates Team New Zealand firmly pummelled Alinghi in three straight races on the final day of the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series.

It came as general relief to the populace of the City of Sails after a fortnight of glorious racing in sunshine, relief that its team had won with the added poignancy of defeating the team that had beaten the Kiwis in the America’s Cup in Valencia eighteen months ago.

More so because Emirates Team New Zealand had entered the day one down, badly trounced by a confident Alinghi in the first race of the final on the previous day when it had been breezy – too breezy for any more racing. It was a day when record speeds downwind had been achieved in the ACC Version 5 boats, probably because no one had been racing in those conditions before.

So, the change around was definitely surprising and helmsman Dean Barker, who had handed the start of the race that Alinghi won to his opponents on a plate, had seemingly re-read his play book and nailed all three starts. Or did he?

Ed Baird, the helmsman of Alinghi claimed: 'Except for the second start, we got what we wanted, but it didn’t go our way.' That’s yacht racing, Ed. Or maybe Dean just made a better choice.

Whichever it was the Kiwis’ team were tougher and the more determined of the two, and their efforts were rewarded.

Once ahead they never gave their opponents a single chance to get back and this was due to slick crew work, the result of many hours of practice. The steely look had returned to Dean’s eyes and he appeared more relaxed as Ray Davies fed him the tactical information – it was a complete contrast to the previous day.

And what a goodly spectator fleet turned out to cheer on the home team. It was magnificent, both for Emirates Team New Zealand and Louis Vuitton, that Yves Carcelle, the Chairman of the sponsors, was 18th man on the Kiwis’ boat for the first race of the final day.

He might well have not been allowed to get off – a winning talisman is hard to find.

The crowd at the regatta village cheered like mad when Dean was about to speak – he could do no wrong – and even their antipathy towards Alinghi skipper Brad Butterworth was forgotten when he replied to the question at the Press Conference of when he would be back, with: 'I am.'

It eased what might have been a difficult moment. But earlier he had proved that he is not omnipotent when caught with a penalty in the pre-start of the second race.

By then the liquid sunshine had ceased to fall from the skies, and the smiles became grins. Emirates Team New Zealand had done what few beyond its own inner sanctum had predicted and produced a result that, hopefully, will energise its sponsors nto persist with their support.

The philosophy of the Number 8 fencing wire will nevertheless persist – there are few teams, if any, that can do as much as Emirates Team New Zealand on their budget. So there was a special grin on Managing Director and sewer operator, Grant Dalton.

Winners are grinners