3-0 for the New Zealanders.

Document Actions

Spectacular! For the 3rd consecutive day, the New Zealanders have won their regatta…and to win is an understatement. They simply smashed their adversary.

Yet Spithill, the Italian skipper, got a good start. They wanted the left, they got it and crossed the line in front of the Kiwis, and they lead by some 20 meters in the first seconds. But very quickly that option didn’t seem so good! The New Zealand boat, to the right of the Italians, sailing higher and faster, quickly was able to nose out in front of the Italians. Can they sail higher? Are the Kiwis faster? In the middle of the first upwind leg, they are always 100 meters in front of the Italians. The regatta being in hand, the steamroller comes out. A 40 second lead at the first buoy, 55 the second, differences which continue increasing to 280 meters on the last leg. The Italians are left powerless, far behind. The final result is a thrashing. Dean Barker crossed the finish line 460 meters in front of Luna Rossa, which translates to a 1 minute 38 second lead. Who would have thought this to be possible only a few days ago? Simply incredible… Tuesday is the next race, Monday being a day off for the two teams!

Emirates Team New Zealand	3
Luna Rossa Challenge	0

Fdb/Lh – Valencia June 3rd 2007