Emirates Team NZ- Royals duke it out on the Waitemata
by Warren Douglas on 11 Apr 2014
Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit Emirates Team New Zealand to match race each other on version 5 America’s Cup Yachts NZL41 and NZL68. 11/4/2013 Chris Cameron/ETNZ
http://www.chriscameron.co.nz
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge joined Emirates Team New Zealand today for a taste of match racing on Auckland Harbour.
With crowds lining vantage points around the Viaduct and the harbour, the Duke at the helm of NZL68 and the Duchess on NZL41 - both boats from the America's Cup monohull era - had two races on the inner harbour.
Grant Dalton called tactics for The Duke, Dean Barker for the Duchess.
The race yachts - now owned by Explore Group - were crewed by a mix of Emirates Team New Zealand members, RNZYS youth training scheme members and young sailors form Auckland yacht clubs.
The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron laid a course between the bridge and Princes Wharf. Rain was in the air; a heavy shower passed over when they arrived at the Viaduct Harbour, and there was not a lot of breeze.
Everyone agreed the result didn't matter but, for the record, Team Duchess won both races. And just like the real America's Cup, there was no second. Team Duke is unlikely to debrief the racing tonight.
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