NZL 92 goes through to the final
May 24, 2007 by TNZ Media | 0 comments
NZL 92 today won through to the finals of the Louis Vuitton Cup with a commanding semi-final win over Spain.
NZL 92 goes through to the final
24/05/07
NZL 92 today won through to the finals of the Louis Vuitton Cup with a commanding semi-final win over Spain.
Going 5-2 up, NZL 92’s crew sailed a great race in fresh conditions and led from start to finish.
The race started with a 20-22 knot north-easterly wind across the course and a seaway. NZL 92 revelled in the conditions, looking comfortable and well in control.
Grant Dalton: “We kept one eye on the gear and the other on the margin. There’s no point pushing too hard in over 17-18 knots and breaking something.”
Dean Barker controlled the pre-start, herding ESP 97 well out beyond the starboard layline. They had no choice but to follow NZL 92 to the line, starting 14 seconds after New Zealand.
With an immediate two-boat length advantage, NZL 92 was able to control the beat and after crossing in front of Spain, continued to extend while maintaining a close cover.
The beat was very wet. Both boats were taking a lot of water in the heavy conditions, Spain at one stage using two blue plastic buckets to bail.
As the yachts approached the first mark, NZL 92 was well in control, taking the action out over the port layline before tacking and heading straight for the mark with ESP 97 a good 150 metres astern. At the mark, NZL 92 was 38 sec ahead.
On the run, NZL 92 extended while maintaining a loose cover, rounding the windward end of the gate with an increased margin of 50 sec.
NZL 92 extended again on the second beat. As the breeze softened a little there was never any question that NZL 92 would round first, and they did 57 sec ahead.
At the finish the margin was 1min 18sec.
NZL 92 now faces Luna Rossa in the Louis Vuitton Cup final, a best of nine series, which starts on June 1.
TODAY’S SAILING TEAM
Skipper – Dean Barker
Tactician – Terry Hutchinson
Navigator – Kevin Hall
Strategist – Ray Davies
Traveller – Adam Beashel
Mainsail trimmer – Don Cowie
Trimmer upwind – Grant Loretz
Trimmer downwind – James Dagg
Main grinder – Chris Ward
Grinder – Rob Waddell
Grinder – Jono Macbeth
Pit – Barry McKay
Runner/pit – Tony Rae
Mast – Matt Mason
Floater – Grant Dalton
Mid-Bow – Richard Meacham
Bow – Jeremy Lomas
