NZL 92 climbs to second on leaderboard

by Emirate Team New Zealand media on 7 May 2007
Emirates Team New Zealand earned two more points today, climbing to second on the leaderboard of the America’s Cup challenger elimination series.

NZL 92, with 32 points, is one point behind BMW Oracle (USA 98) and one point ahead of Luna Rossa (ITA 94), which had a bye today. The top teams have now sailed the same number of races.

Desafio Espanol is fourth with 29 points.

With three flights to race in round robin 2, Emirates Team New Zealand is now assured of a place in the semi-finals, as are Luna Rossa and BMW Oracle.

Today’s win by NZL 92 was over China Team and the margin was 3min 02sec.

The leaderboard after flight eight stands at:

1 USA 98 BMW ORACLE Racing 33
2 NZL 92 Emirates Team New Zealand 32
3 ITA 94 Luna Rossa Challenge 31
4 ESP 97 Desafio Espanol 2007 29
5 SWE 96 Victory Challenge 24
6 ITA 99 Mascalzone Latino- Capitalia Team 20
7 RSA 83 Team Shosholoza 18
8 FRA 93 Areva Challenge 13
9 ITA 85 +39 Challenge 6
10 GER 89 United Internet Team Germany 5
11 CHN 95 China Team 3

Tomorrow: NZL 92 races ITA 94
Tomorrow’s weather: south-east breeze 9 – 12 knots, 14 – 25 degrees, 30% humidity, sunny.

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

TODAY’S RESULTS
Flight 8
NZL 92 beat CHN 95 +3.02
ESP 97 beat GER 89 +1.08
RSA 83 beat ITA 99 +6s
SWE 96 beat FRA 93 +34s
USA 98 beat ITA 85 +53s
Bye – Luna Rossa