America's Cup WS Bermuda Artemis survives crash to win Day

by Rob Kothe & the Sail-World Team on 19 Oct 2015 America’s Cup World Series Bermuda Super Sunday – after a nothing first day, the double points three race Sunday was pressure for everyone, breeze on the Great Sound was 10-14 knots.

Race 1. Drag race to the reaching start, Nathan Outteridge had Artemis well clear, at the top mark, Jimmy Spithill’s Oracle Team USA second behind the Swedes, and split to opposite side, Ben Ainslie and Land Rover BAR was third sucking gas.

At the bottom mark Artemis was clear, Oracle just ahead of BAR, Dean Barker’s Softbank Team Japan overtook the series leader Emirates Team NZ, Franck Camas’ Groupama sixth.

Oracle had closed up on the leader but Artemis was away. BAR had gained with a code zero and was perhaps in second place, Oracle split with the fleet again.

Artemis still leading but Oracle closed right up with BAR well in the hunt. The Japanese were in fourth place.

At the top mark for the last time, Oracle had the lead but Artemis came in with rights and Oracle had to duck.

Down the last run Oracle sailing out of their skins, managed to steal the win from Artemis, with BAR third.

The Kiwis had a shocker in last place.

Race 2. In the prestart Artemis, as helm was crossing the boat in the tack, an umpire boat presented like a deer in the headlights. Suddenly the RIB was between the hulls.

There was no time for a post mortem, the Artemis crew cut away their bow pole and ditching their Code zero from the boat.

Artemis was back into the starting box, just 80 seconds before the gun, with adrenaline pumping, Artemis won the start at speed and led around the reaching mark, Oracle second at top mark, Kiwis third.

From other side of the course BAR having gained from fourth to fifth, crossed a boat length ahead of Artemis, and then crossed Oracle. But then a major mistake by BAR cost five places at mark.

Artemis foiled back into lead, after Japan had taken last rounding.

At Gate 4, Artemis, then New Zealand, Japan and placing were unchanged at Gate, 5, the last top mark.

A full foiling gybe into the finish from Artemis, then came New Zealand, Oracle third Japan fourth, BAR, then Groupama.

Outteridge’s grin looked like it might split his face.

Thence to Race 3.

Peter Burling Emirates Team New Zealand won the start and the first mark, BAR was second, Artemis third same placing at bottom of course, Oracle well last having been left in irons prestart out manoeuvred by Artemis

Artemis split from other two, and lost a lot of ground. Up ahead Emirates Team NZ lead from BAR, flying on foils around third mark, SoftBank Japan next, Artemis having to duck back in fifth place.

Emirates clearing out at Gate 4, BAR second but 24 seconds back, Japan next, Oracle had sailed thru Artemis,

The Kiwis clear at the top mark for the last time, BAR second, Oracle had to do a major dip behind Softbank.

Emirates Team NZ impressive third race win. BAR second, Softbank Team Japan third, Artemis blasted down the course, to take out Oracle fourth.

Artemis won the Bermuda regatta overall, a great come back after the big prestart crash before race 2.

Overall an amazing instinctive foiling performance from the dual Moth World Champion Nathan Outteridge, great tactical calls by Ian Percy, lifted the Swedish team up the overall series leaderboard.

A steady by Emirate Team New Zealand and some disappointing results from the Brits and the American's have seen them fall back.

Artemis's results today have lifted them into fourth place overall behind ENTZ,Oracle and BAR.

Lots of images, video interviews to follow from a great days racing in Bermuda.