America's Cup WS Naples- Emirates Team NZ wins Coastal Race - Video
by Emirates Team NZ on 15 Apr 2013
- Emirates Team NZ - Coastal Race, Naples Italy Hamish Hooper/Camper ETNZ/Volvo Ocean Race
The first event in the America's Cup World Series, Naples was staged today with the Coastal Race, a 21 mile jaunt around the picturesque coastline surrounding the Naples venue.
Sailed in light airs, Emirates Team New Zealand won the event, here is their video and report of the day:
Emirates Team New Zealand began their 2013 Naples ACWS program in dominant fashion by winning the 21 mile coastal race along the picturesque Naples coast line.
Although today's race and its results have no points or bearing on the standings of the regatta which commences on Thursday, it was a strong and satisfying way to start the week.
The race began in light 6 knots of breeze and by the first mark Emirates Team New Zealand had worked their way into rounding in 4th position.
By the third mark the team lead by skipper Dean Barker had moved up into first place where they remained throughout the race in what he described as 'very stressful conditions'. For a large part of the race the wind was barely above 2 knots of breeze as the fleet drifted around the top end of the course.
By the time Emirates Team New Zealand led around the final mark to head back along the coast the breeze began to build again and as tactician and navigator for the day Ray Davies said, ‘the rich got richer’ and they sailed the later part of the course with a significant lead under no real pressure crossing the finish line approximately three minutes ahead of Luna Rossa Piranha.
'Today was a really enjoyable race, it was a massively stressful one but a great way to start the week, hopefully we can continue the rest of the regatta as started.' Dean Barker
The Coastal Race did not count for points, other than bragging rights and the World Series event gets underway on April 18 to April 21, 2013
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