Extreme Sailing Series- Emirates Team NZ makes podium again in Russia

by ETNZblog.com on 30 Jun 2014 Emirates Team New Zealand sailed an outstanding final day in the Extreme Sailing Series, Russia to make the medal podium again.


Emirates Team New Zealand did all they could to win the Extreme Sailing Series in St Petersburg today including winning the final double points race to give themselves every chance of overhauling the leaders Alinghi, as well as second placed The Wave Muscat.

After 22 races over the four days of racing the difference between a step up on the podium came down to just two points as The Wave crossed the finish line a single place away from relinquishing 2nd overall to Emirates Team New Zealand despite having a 12 point lead at the beginning of the day.

'Obviously a little disappointed to get so close to second, but we are always feeling like we are getting better and better, so still happy to be on the podium,' said skipper Peter Burling

It was a day where one tactic looked great and within a blink of an eye the same option looked awful.

'We were sailing with a brand new team combination this week, so to get on the podium again, and not be too far off the pace overall was really satisfying.' Said tactician Ray Davies who was sailing with Burling and Tuke for the first time.

'The difference is pretty clear. The other teams have been together for a long time. This is the first time we have had this combination.

'We are mixing it up to learn about each other and looking ahead to the America’s Cup so to get a few more regattas under our belt sailing together we will be better and better. So we are pretty happy to be sitting at 3rd overall at the halfway stage of the Extreme Sailing Series season.'

The next event is in August in Cardiff Wales where Burling hands back the helm Dean Barker as he and 49er crew Blair Tuke go back to the Olympic class for the 49er European Championships.

'It’s back over to him here, and back over to Blair and myself to try to maintain the pressure on the rest of the world in the 49er.'

Final Leader board – after 22 races:

1st Alinghi 160 points

2nd The Wave, Muscat 148 points

3rd Emirates Team New Zealand, 146 points

4th J.P Morgan BAR, 120 points

5th Realstone, 117 points

6th SAP Extreme Sailing Team, 113 points

7th Gazprom Team Russia, 97 points

8th Oman Air, 96 points

9th Red Bull Sailing Team, 95 points

10th GAC Pindar, 88 points

11th Groupama, 88 points

12th Russian First, 40 points


Extreme Sailing Series Overall 2014 Leader board:

1st Alinghi 38 points

2nd The Wave, Muscat 35 points

3rd Emirates Team New Zealand, 32 points

4th Realstone, 28 points

5th Gazprom Team Russia, 19 points

6th J.P Morgan BAR, 17 points

7th SAP Extreme Sailing Team, 14 points

8th Red Bull Sailing Team, 13 points

9th Groupama, 13 points

10th Oman Air, 11 points

11th GAC Pindar, 4 points