NZL380 on top after five races in Portugal
Friday 21 August 2009, 10:46AM
By Emirates Team New Zealand
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Emirates Team New Zealand shares the lead after the second day of the Audi MedCup Portugal Trophy regatta.
A first and a third finishes in the two races sailed today put Emirates Team New Zealand on 15 points, the same number as Artemis. On count back ETNZ takes the lead.
After two days’ racing at Portimao the top teams are tightly bunched. Quantum is on 17 points and Bigamist 7, with two wins at Portimao, on 20.
Today’s conditions were described by race officials as: “A gusty, puffy breeze once more rich with both pitfalls and opportunities. Even when the north westerly had kicked in and the wind topped 20-21 knots there were lines of lighter breeze to avoid.”
NZL380 skipper Dean Barker says the regatta is still about getting a good clean start, “not necessarily winning the end of the line that is favoured, but getting a clear lane so we can sail how we want to sail. That’s not always easy.
“Today’s first race started in an on-shore sea breeze of reasonable strength but it dropped away quite quickly. The beat went well, rounding first with a good lead. On the run a quite a big wind shift – about 60 degrees - came across the course and a couple of boats were able to get away.
“By the second race, the breeze had become established in the low 20s and the boat was going really well on the flat water and stronger breeze and we extended all the way.
“Once the breeze went round to the nor-west it provided some great sailing, but we could see that even when the breeze was up in the 20-21 knots range there were lines of dangerous lighter breeze.”
Grant Dalton: “Today we came good and sailed better to put us first equal on points for Portimao. We have further increased our series lead to 48.5 points.
“But as usual it was not straight forward. Dean is starting really well - we haven’t had a bad one yet - and again we led at the top mark, again with a reasonable lead.
“We gybed about 200 metres too early and bam, lost one boat. On the second run we were not quite in the right place, and lost another boat.
“In race two we bolted, never put a foot wrong and sailed away. The breeze was up to 22 knots at times and we extended on every leg. The boat was flying and we were sailing well.”
Audi MedCup Circuit 2009
Portugal Trophy Overall - Day 2
1. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), 2+3+6+3+1= 15 points
2. Artemis (SWE), 3+4+2+2+4= 15 points
3. Quantum Racing (USA), 1+1+4+8+3= 17 points
4. Bigamist (POR), 5+5+1+1+8= 20 points
5. Bribón (ESP), 6+2+3+7+7= 25 points