Comfortable win for NZL 92

by Emirates Team New Zealand media on 6 May 2007
Emirates Team New Zealand took another win today, continuing its unbeaten run in round robin 2 of the challengers’ elimination series.

Only one race was scheduled today. NZL 92’s margin was a comfortable 2m 7s over United Internet Team Germany.

Four flights of round robin 2 remain to be sailed. Flight eight will be sailed tomorrow and challengers will meet to discuss sailing two flights on Monday and one on Tuesday if the weather makes it necessary.

With two more points earned, NZL 92 retained its third place on the leader board and is the only unbeaten team in round robin 2. With 30 points, NZL 92 is one point behind joint leaders Luna Rossa and BMW Oracle. Fourth in the rankings is Desafio Espanol on 25 points.

NZL 92 still has a race in hand.

Racing today got underway on time in an easterly breeze of 14 knots. It was a steady 11 – 12 knots throughout the race. The NZL 92 – GER 89 race started evenly, then NZL 92 got into a rhythm and sailed away. The deltas: top mark 32s, first leeward 59s, third mark 2.08 and the finish 2.07.

British yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur sailed as 18th man on NZL 92 today. Famed for her solo races around the world, Ellen said she was impressed with the team work that an America’s Cup syndicate requires.

'These people devote years of their lives with the only goal of winning the America’s Cup, and they work many hours for very long…'

As 18th person, MacArthur was not allowed to speak to the team during the race and giving any input is banned by the rules. 'That will be very difficult,' she said before the race.

'I’m used to sailing solo and doing everything by myself. Now I’ll be sailing with 17 other people and I won’t be able to do anything.'

Tomorrow: NZL 92 races CHN 95.

Tomorrow’s weather: south-east breeze 9 – 12 knots, 13 – 25 degrees, 45% humidity, sunny.

TODAY’S SAILING TEAM
Skipper - Dean Barker
Tactician - Terry Hutchinson
Navigator - Kevin Hall
Strategist - Ray Davies
Traveller - Mark Mendelblatt
Pit - Barry McKay
Runner/pit - Tony Rae
Mainsail trimmer - Don Cowie
Main grinder – Chris McAsey
Trimmer upwind - Grant Loretz
Trimmer downwind - James Dagg
Grinder – Winston Macfarlane
Grinder - Jono Macbeth
Mast - Matt Mason
Floater - Grant Dalton
Mid-Bow – Richard Meacham
Bow - Jeremy Lomas

TODAY’S RESULTS
Flight 7
ITA 99 beat CHN 95 +2.22
ESP 97 beat RSA 83 +47
NZL 92 beat GER 89 +2.07
USA 98 beat FRA 93 +1.28
ITA 94 beat ITA 85 +1.04
Bye Victory Challenge

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