Two wins and a third for NZL 380

Emirates Team New Zealand has finished the first day of the MedCup Marseille regatta with two wins and a third, putting NZL 380 at the top of the leader board.

While happy with the opening day performance, the team remains focused on the four race days that remain.

Grant Dalton: “We sailed well and the boat was on the pace in a light but reasonably steady breeze. But it was only one day in a five-day regatta. Tomorrow is another day.”

Dalton said the afterguard demonstrated effective combination: “Dean Barker started really well. We were always in the front row, clear and heading in the direction we wanted.

“Then Ray Davies (tactician), Adam Beashel (strategist) and navigator Kevin Hall kept us in the right part of the ocean. That’s critical when the boats are all pretty even.”

Dean Barker: “The breeze never got up over nine knots and was 6-8 knots most of the time, but it was nowhere near as shifty as it was for the practice race. It was still a demanding and difficult day.

“The left of the course was paying off and we had to find the best ways of getting there…. We placed the boat just where it needed to be, creating the opportunities and giving the boys something to work with.

“Everyone had to be on their game to extract the maximum from the boat.
We are all really pleased with the way the day went…. now we’re working on tomorrow.”

Today’s results and overall standings

TP52 Series
Overall - Day 1
1. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), 1,3,1= 5 points
2. Bribón (ESP), 6,1,5 = 12 points
3. Matador (ARG), 2,6,4 = 12 points
4. Quantum Racing (USA), 8,5,2 = 15 points
5. Bigamist (POR), 5,4,6 = 15 points
6. Artemis (SWE), 7,2,8 = 17
7. Synergy (RUS), 3,9,9 = 21
8. Audi Q8 (ITA), 4,8,10 = 22
9. Valars III (RUS), 10,11,3 = 24
10, Pisco Sour (CHI) 11,7,7 = 25
11, Cristabella (GBR) 9,10,11 = 30