LV Act 8, Day 4- Business as usual for NZL-82

by Emirates Team NZ on 3 Oct 2005 It was a businesslike day on the water for Emirates Team New Zealand on Sunday, a welcome contrast to the previous day’s nerve-wracking 3sec win over BMW Oracle.

NZL 82 claimed wins against Sweden’s Victory Challenge and the Italian +39. Both teams that have proved themselves to be dangerous given half a chance.

Today’s breeze was from the south from 8 to 16 knots, but oscillated as the land heated up as the day wore on. Tactically it was a day to play a conservative game, to play to the strengths of the team’s crew work and to cover the opposition and deny them an opportunity to break away and find a better breeze.

In the first race of the day, the start was even and NZL 82 got away cleanly, and went about the business of building a lead on SWE 63, extending to 100 metres, and then covering as the Swedes tried to break out of the grip.

NZL 82 was never troubled, rounding the first mark 34sec ahead and then extending by 25 sec on the run to round the second mark 59 sec in front. NZL 82 extended by a further 22 sec on the second beat and finished with a winning delta of 1min 30sec.

In the second race of the day, the Italian +39 had no answer for NZL 82’s clinical approach to ensuring another win.

In the shifty conditions NZL 82’s afterguard sailed a conservative tight cover on ITA 59. The Italians threw 21 tacks at NZL 82 on the first beat and 17 on the second but could not break out.

NZL 82 led right around the course, with deltas of 18sec at the first mark, 32sec at the second, 21sec at the third and 19sec at the finish.

Grant Dalton said: “Today we had a job to do and that was to take the lead and keep it. We were out there to win points to ensure we finish the regatta well up the rankings. In the conditions it would be possible to go from winning to losing very quickly.
“The Swedes and +39 gave us a good workout. Unlike some of the other teams we had no damage except for a small tear in a spinnaker.”

Tomorrow Emirates Team New Zealand is matched against the China Team and Alinghi.

NZL 82 crew Race Day 4

Helm: Dean Barker; Tactician: Terry Hutchinson; Navigator: Kevin Hall; Strategist/traveler: Adam Beashel; Weather/runner: Ray Davies; Mainsheet: Don Cowie; Trimmer upwind: Rob Salthouse; Trimmer downwind: Andy Hemming; Grinder: Rob Waddell; Grinder: Chris McAsey; Main Grinder: Chris Ward; Pit: Jared Henderson; Runner/pit: Tony Rae; Mid-bow: Richard Meacham; Bow: Jeremy Lomas; Mast: Nick Heron; Runner/grinder:Grant Dalton

Results today:

Flight 6

USA 76 beat CHN 69 by 3min 22sec
NZL 82 beat SWE 63 by 1min 30sec
FRA 60 beat ITA 59 by 60 beat 3min 2sec
ITA 74 beat GER 72 by 41sec
SUI 75 beat ITA 77 by 1min 48sec
ESP 67 beat RSA 83 by 26sec


Flight 7

ITA 74 beat RSA 83 by 52sec
SUI 75 beat GER 72 by 2min 16sec
ESP 67 beat ITA 77 by
USA 76 beat SWE 63 by 19sec
NZL 82 beat ITA 59 by 19sec
FRA 60 beat CHN 69 by 1min 19sec


Rankings after seven races

1 Alinghi (SUI 75) 7 pts
2 Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL 82) 6pts
2 BMW Oracle Racing (USA 76) 6pt
2 Luna Rossa (ITA 74) 6pts
5 K-Challenge (FRA 60) 5pts
6 Victory Challenge (SWE 63) 3pts
7 Desafio Espanol (ESP 67) 3pt
8 Shosholoza (RSA 83) 2pts
9 +39 (ITA 59) 1pt
9 Mascalzone Latino (ITA 77) 1pt
9 United Internet Team Germany (GER 72) 1pt

9 Team China (CHN 69) 1pt

Source:www.emiratesteamnz.com