America's Cup - Countdown begins for ACWS Final in Japan - NZ TV times

by Emirates Team NZ on 17 Nov 2016 Emirates Team New Zealand is on the ground preparing for the final event of the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series in Fukuoka, on the northern shore of the Kyushu island in Japan. The home team, SoftBank Team Japan, become the fifth of the six America’s Cup teams to host a home world series event, following those in UK, Sweden, Bermuda, Oman, New York, Chicago and France.

For the first time in its 165-years history the America’s Cup touches down in Asia where the circuit champion will be crowned and Emirates Team New Zealand has the final chance to put points on the board for the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Qualifiers in Bermuda 2017.

The stakes are very high as the overall ranking position in the America’s Cup World Series will determine the starting points score of the 2017 challenger selection series: the winner begins the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Qualifiers in Bermuda next year with two points, the second with one point.

A thrilling showdown is gearing up with just 17 points separating the top three teams. Emirates Team New Zealand stands in third position behind Oracle Team USA (in second place) and the leading Land Rover BAR. Just one slip-up could see a team out of contention for the win, especially given that double points are up for grabs in the second day of races.

Rio gold medalist Peter Burling, helmsman of Emirates Team New Zealand, is pretty confident and said: “The bottom line is we have to sail well here in Japan and we know how to do that. You cannot overthink the big picture situation, in terms of the overall win. If you concentrate on doing all of the small things right on the race course then the overall result should technically look after itself. We will just sail every race like it’s the only race.”

“It’s going to be exciting, that’s for sure.” Continued Emirates Team New Zealand Skipper Glen Ashby “We just want to stay clear of everyone else and stay fast. Land Rover BAR did a nice job to arrive in pole position but with three double points races scheduled, there are still plenty of points on offer. The good thing for us is we have great sailors onboard who can perform well under pressure so bring it on – we can’t wait.”

The forecast looks set for more light air racing, which has been the standard in the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World series so far, with practice racing in Fukuoka beginning on Friday 18th followed by standard points racing on Saturday 19th and double points racing on Sunday 20th.

Racing will start every day at 1:00pm local time (5:00 pm in New Zealand).

The Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series Fukuoka will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sports NZ:

Day 1: LIVE from 5:00pm Saturday 19 November on SKY Sport Pop Up 56 -
REPLAY 1:00pm Sunday 20 November on SKY Sport 2

Day 2: LIVE from 5:00pm Sunday 20 November on SKY Sport Pop Up 56 -
REPLAY 11:30am Monday 21 November on SKY Sport 2

The Emirates Team New Zealand crew for Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series Fukuoka is:

Glen Ashby (Skipper)
Peter Burling (Helmsman)
Ray Davies (Tactician)
Blair Tuke (Trimmer)
Guy Endean (Grinder)

Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series Overall Leaderboard

Land Rover BAR 437
Oracle Team USA 423
Emirates Team NZ 420
Softbank Team Japan 399
Artemis Racing 391
Groupama Team France 360