Emirates Team New Zealand leads Damiani Italia Challenge. Image copyright Chris Cameron/Emirates Team New Zealand.
by Warren Douglas
Racing got underway in the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series on 30th January.
The south-west breeze of 12-16 knots was perfect for racing and it came in exactly as forecast. But it was not an easy day for strategists and tactictians.
Afterguards had to deal with some shifts in direction and an incoming tide that at times combined to destroy comfortable leads in very short space of time.
Four races were held today. The teams are divided into two pools of five; BMW Oracle Racing and Shosholoza each had byes.
Emirates Team New Zealand in its first race of the series beat Damiani Italia Challenge by 22 seconds. The race was sailed in BMW Oracle yachts.
Skipper Dean Barker says he always likes to get the first day of racing behind him. “You know you’re prepared but that comfortable race-day routine has not settled in and there are always things you can’t control.
“The two BMW Oracle boats are similar enough that it probably doesn’t matter which one you’re on. It’s still wasn’t like sailing our own boat... we had to adjust our style to suit the different characteristics
“It’s important to us to perform as well as we can all the way through the regatta and it’s good to finish the day with a win.”
Emirates Team New Zealand
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