Extreme 40's- Emirates Team NZ tests the waters at Almeria
by Warren Douglas on 9 Oct 2010
Emirates Team NZ try the Extreme 40 on for size off Almeria, ESP SW
The jib is borrowed but everything else about this Extreme 40 is 100% Emirates Team New Zealand....
Emirates Team New Zealand is competing in the Extreme 40 regatta being sailed this weekend at Almeria, Spain.
The aim for skipper Dean Barker, grinder Winston Macfarlane and bowman Jeremy Lomas, is to get a taste of multihull racing against top-level competition.
They will be joined by multihull specialist Australia Darren Bundock, a double Olympic silver medallist.
The Extreme 40 is a 40ft catamaran. The regattas feature short, sharp races close inshore. The rarely last more than 15 minutes. If the breeze co-operates, 30 races can be held at each of the six regattas in the European series. Almeria is the last regatta of the Extreme 40 European Series.
The team’s interest in catamaran’s follows publication of the America’s Cup design rule which dictates the 34th America’s Cup will be sailed in 72ft catamarans. Pre-regattas, starting next year, will be raced in 45ft one-design catamarans.
Winston Macfarlane has raced the Extreme 40 previously, as has Darren Bundock. Dean Barker and Jeremy Lomas have not.
Dean Barker says he wants to get a feel for the racing and pick a few brains while he’s at it.
'We’ll be looking for a win or two, but the main aim is to gain some experience.'
Event director Gilles Chiorri said: 'With 103 races down and up to 30 more to come, Almeria will test the teams in new ways.
'There will be a mix of racing, some outside the harbour walls in ‘open water’ before the teams start the stadium battles right in the heart of the port from 3.30pm each day.'
Teams that competed at Almeria last year know that there is very little room for 'run-off' and mistakes will be punished hard. 'It will be challenging for the teams and exciting for the spectators. It’s a perfect Extreme Sailing Series venue.'
Dean Barker described the inner harbour at Almeria as not much bigger than the Viaduct Harbour at Auckland.
Practice day is Friday with four races scheduled. The regatta proper starts on Saturday and runs to the 12th.
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