Please select your home edition
Edition
Hyde Sails 2024 - One Design

America's Cup- Dean Barker's Blog - It's over

by Dean Barker on 29 Sep 2013
San Francisco, 34th America’s Cup Final - Emirates Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker Carlo Borlenghi/Luna Rossa http://www.lunarossachallenge.com

Writing on his blog at Kiwi Yachting Consultants' websites, of which he is a substantial shareholder and director, Emirates Team NZ's skipper Dean Barker gives his view on the after the conclusion of the 34th America's Cup

This is not the entry I was ever hoping to have to write. But here we are the day after and it hurts.

Yesterday's loss in the deciding race was a bitter pill to swallow. But the writing was on the wall the day before when Oracle sailed around us on the upwind leg showing some serious pace. The final race was tough. We knew we needed to win the start and lead around the bottom gate to have any chance. We did that but very quickly we knew we were in trouble as they sailed past us and kept extending. There was nothing we could do.

I am so incredibly proud of the Team. What we have achieved over the past three years has been amazing and something I have enjoyed more than any other time in my sailing career. The attitude of the Team even after Oracle began their comeback was incredible with not a person ever close to throwing in the towel.

Credit has to go to Oracle for the way they turned things around. Having had a good speed advantage over them in the first week upwind, this quickly changed to them having an advantage over us in the second week. How they managed to do this was phenomenal. Unfortunately for us we had pretty much tapped out all the performance we could from our boat.


The emotion of having lost this Cup is pretty raw. Having been only one win away from bringing the Cup home, to then lose it makes things so much tougher. I can honestly say we could have done no more. The two final races we had the lead at the bottom gate and normally would have extended from there. But things had changed so dramatically with Oracle's upwind performance, that they pretty much sailed around us.

I have never been so touched as I feel today.

I have had a constant stream of emails directly and through ETNZ and Kiwi Yachting. Most emails are from people who I have never met but the kind words of support and encouragement are very strong and humbling. To me losing the AC is a failure.


As a Team we came to San Fran to win the AC not to compete. We came so close but unfortunately fell just short and to finish second is just not enough. Through the support of all these amazing people it certainly helps to soften the hurt, but it still does not change the result.

One thing I will never forget is the support the Team has received from NZers both here in San Fran and at home. It gave the Team a huge lift to have such passionate supporters. I just wish we could have given all our supporters the result that they wanted.

I cannot say enough about how moving the messages of support have been. I want to say thanks to all of our supporters in NZ and around the World for the compassion they have shown. It is incredibly moving for me.

To see more of Dean Barker's blogs go to www.kiwiyachting.co.nz




Pantaenius Sail 2025 AUS FooterB&G Zeus SR AUSAllen Dynamic 40 Footer

Related Articles

Team Malizia starts Course Des Caps
Challenging race around the British Isles Team Malizia set sail today from Boulogne-sur-Mer, kicking off the inaugural Course des Caps race in light winds and challenging conditions with a solid start.
Posted today at 8:45 pm
Holcim-PRB set off on the Course des Caps
With Nicolas Lunven, Franck Cammas, Annemieke Bes, Alan Roberts, and onboard reporter Anne Beauge Today at 2:00 PM (French time), the IMOCA Holcim-PRB set off on the Course des Caps Boulogne sur Mer - Banque Populaire du Nord, a challenging route of over 2,000 nautical miles around the British Isles.
Posted today at 8:15 pm
America's Cup: Confidential settlement reached
(Updated) A confidential settlement reached over five year Cup legal claims. Confidential settlement reached between the America's Cup team Emirates Team New Zealand and their formerly contracted Event Managers, Mayo & Calder, and others associated with the company. But what of Mainstream Media's role in the affair?
Posted today at 4:58 pm
J/70 Mixed-Plus Worlds at Lake Garda Overall
Winners crowned at inaugural event, hosted by Circolo Vela Torbole It's hard to imagine a better debut for the inaugural J/70 Mixed-Plus World Championship, held in the iconic sailing venue of Torbole on Lake Garda in Italy.
Posted today at 3:40 pm
Kieler Woche Day 10
Seven nations celebrate victories at the finale On the final sailing day of Kieler Woche 2025, there were beaming faces all around the Olympic Centre in Schilksee. Eleven decisions were made on Sunday and alongside Germany, Denmark, France, GB, Malta, Sweden, & Hungary were able to celebrate victories.
Posted today at 3:29 pm
Dan Turner prepares for Mini Globe Race 2025 Leg 3
Sailing aboard his homebuilt yacht, Immortal Game, Dan has navigated treacherous ocean conditions South Australian sailor Dan Turner finished in 2nd place and is now preparing to embark on the third leg of the Mini Globe Race 2025 — a gruelling solo circumnavigation challenge for sailors in compact 5.8-metre yachts.
Posted today at 3:08 pm
SGS Gold at Kieler Woche goes to France and GB
The best German team, Theresa Löffler and Christopher Hoerr, finished fifth With a victory in the final medal race of the Kieler Woche, the British team of Martin Wrigley and Bettine Harris secured gold in the 470 class on Sunday (June 29).
Posted today at 2:39 pm
Reach Your Sailing Potential Today
Elevate Every Outing with North Sails EDGE is the addition to the 3Di ENDURANCE family. Designed for crossover sailors, ENDURANCE EDGE is as ready for regattas as it is for day sailing.
Posted today at 1:00 pm
From ORC to DH: The XR 41 Delivers Again
All eyes were on the new XR 41 during the Maior Regatta in Kiel All eyes were on the new XR 41 during the Maior Regatta in Kiel, where she convincingly won under ORC. The boat has proven her versatility by taking on Denmark's Fyn Cup — and winning again.
Posted today at 9:07 am
Introduction to the Admiral's Cup/Fastnet 2025
After a 22 year abscence, the renowned Admiral's Cup is back. After a break of 22 years, the renowned Admiral's Cup is returning to the international yacht racing scene in July 2025. One short ocean race, three days of inshore racing, and then the fabled Fastnet to finish
Posted today at 4:37 am