NZL380 increases overall MedCup series lead

Race Day 1 of the Portimao MedCup TP52 regatta was mixed for Emirates Team New Zealand.

NZL380 tightened its grip on the series, adding 11 points to its overall points lead. On the water today after three races at Portimao, NZL380 on 11 points was equal third on the Portugal Cup leader board, behind regatta leader Quantum Racing on six and Artemis on nine.

It was a long day on water waiting for the breeze. With a longer range forecast for continuing fickle winds, the race committee was determined to get three races away.

With finishes of second and third in the first two races, Dean Barker and his crew were happy with their performance on the opening day of a regatta where consistency in the predicted light and shifty conditions would be the key.

By the time race three started, the breeze had built up to 20 knots and NZL380 was showing good speed upwind.

NZL380 rounded the first mark in the lead with Bribon second and Bigamist third. On the run the right side of the course picked up a puff and NZL380 went from first to sixth and from then it was follow the leader to the finish.

Dean Barker: “Losing five places on a run is big … and in the conditions there was little we could do about it.”

Barker said he was happy with boat speed upwind and crew work. “We missed a puff – it happens from time to time, but it doesn’t make it any the less frustrating.”

Matador, closest to NZL380 on overall points at the end of the Cagliari regatta, had an even worse time, ending the day on 22 points after a fourth and seventh finishes and being disqualified from the day’s second race.

Audi MedCup Series
Points overall after Alicante, Marseille, Cagliari and three races at Portimao

1. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), 38+27.5+28+11 = 104.5 points
2. Matador (ARG), 36+47.5+42.5+22 = 148 points
3. Quantum Racing (USA), 40+41.5+65+6 = 152.5 points
4. Artemis (SWE), 37+62.5+52.5+9 = 158 points
5. Bigamist (POR), 46+55.5+56+11 = 169.5 points
6. Bribon (ESP), 79+62.5+58.5+11= 211 points
7. Synergy (RUS), 74+63+57+26 = 220 points
8. Valars lll (RUS), 82+69+86.5+26 = 263.5 points
9. Audi Q8 (ITA), 89+88+94.5+21 = 292.5 points
10. Pisco Sour (CHI), 53+78+161+42 = 334 points