Emirates Team New Zealand update

Competitors in the America’ s Cup World Series Newport Regatta went practice racing today, revelling in the 12-18 knot breeze.

Practice starting sequences with the fleet were followed by three races in great sailing conditions.

With a third, second and sixth placing, Skipper Dean Barker was well satisfied with the day’s sailing which followed some intensive training in the few days since arriving at Newport.

The team raced without trimmer James Dagg who received a knock to the head early in the day and was taken to a doctor to be checked.

James had come into contact with tactician Ray Davies’ elbow during a manoeuvre. Doctors cleared him to sail tomorrow. Ray Davies reports no ill-effects to his elbow.

At the end of the third race the boat was damaged when it came into collision with a mark boat.
Barker says he had to luff to avoid a couple of spectator boats and lifted a hull to avoid the official boat. A collision could not be avoided and the port hull of the AC45 came into contact with the mark boat’s rail.   

“It probably looked more spectacular than it was.  No one was hurt and neither boat suffered serious damasge.”

The Ac45’s under-rigging and the port rudder were damaged and will be repaired overnight.  Barker says the AC45 will be back on the water tomorrow.