Emirates Team New Zealand bears off after luffing Synergy. Image copyright Bob Grieser/OutsideImages.co.nz
by Chloe Daycard
One of sailing’s most revered brands will square off tomorrow against one of its most iconic brands when Emirates Team New Zealand races Azzurra in the Final of the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Côte d’Azur.
The final was scheduled to commence this afternoon, but light winds again frustrated competitors and organizers in their attempt to race. Although the championship was put on hold around 1440 CET, three races were held earlier in the day to wrap up the Semi Final Round and the Petit Final.
Azzurra of Italy advanced to the championship by defeating TeamOrigin of the U.K. in their showdown match. After a close first beat, the Italians luffed the British at the top of the leg to gain an advantage at the first mark.
Azzurra. Image copyright Stefano Gattini/Azzurra.
Yesterday the Italians suffered in the strong winds and big waves. But today skipper Francesco Bruni and crew revelled in the 8-knot winds and won by 29 seconds. “I think that we, as Italians, are used to sailing in lighter wind. We all know that,” said Bruni.
“I think that we were driving the boat fast today as trimmer and skipper. Also the acceleration on the start line and how the boat reacts in turns, we’re just more confident in those conditions.”
Emirates Team New Zealand then took to the racecourse and booked its place in the final by defeating the pesky Synergy Russia Sailing Team.
Louis Vuitton Trophy, Nice, Semi-Final wrap-up
Team New Zealand and Synergy had sailed three ding-dong battles, highlighted by yesterday’s second race when each team was penalised 1 point by a combination of the on-water umpires and International Jury. But this morning’s anticipated showdown proved to be more of a let down.
In a fashion similar to the day’s first match, the crews were evenly matched on the first leg. With both yachts on port tack and Team New Zealand to leeward, skipper Dean Barker, reigning champion of the Louis Vuitton Cup, luffed Synergy near the first mark.
During the incident the on-water umpires penalized the Russian-flagged yacht and Team New Zealand opened an advantage it wouldn’t relinquish. The Kiwis won by 4 minutes although the delta became skewed as Synergy completed a penalty turn on the finish line in light winds.
Emirates Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker wears his game face while trimmer Don Cowie cranes his neck to check the shape of the mainsail. Image copyright Bob Grieser/OutsideImages.co.nz
“We sort of parked it up and they didn’t give us enough room when we bore away,” said Barker of the incident at the windward mark. “It’s tough as the windward boat because you’re trying to not lose the race at that point. It was close through the manoeuvre. I don’t know if there was contact, I couldn’t see, but it was nothing like yesterday.”
After a break for lunch the four crews returned to the water to resume racing, but the Petit Final between Synergy and TeamOrigin was the only match sailed in winds between 4 and 6 knots. After trailing by 22 seconds at the first mark, Synergy scored a comeback win when it overtook the British on the first downwind leg.
“Not making the final is very disappointing,” said TeamOrigin General Manager Mike Sanderson, a past round-the-world race winner. “We put a lot more effort into this regatta than we did Auckland. We were here to win and to win it you need to get to final. I’d be lying if I said not making the final was a big disappointment.”
Racing tomorrow is scheduled to begin early with the warning signal slated for 0800 CET.
Synergy's asymmetric spinnaker blows back into the rig at the leeward gate. Image copyright Bob Grieser/OutsideImages.co.nz
The Kiwis swat away the pesky Russians after pinning a penalty on them
Semi Final Pair A
Emirates Team New Zealand d. Synergy Russia Sailing Team – Delta: 4:00
Emirates Team New Zealand 1, Synergy 0
Emirates Team New Zealand will meet Azzurra in the final of the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Côte d’Azur. The Kiwis advance after finally swatting away their nemesis, Synergy. The crews have sailed some thrilling matches in this regatta, but today’s heat was rather anti-climatic. After the first beat, anyway.
Team New Zealand started to the right to gain the starboard tack advantage. The Kiwis used it to leebow Synergy twice. On the third meeting Synergy was able to live on the windward quarter of their rival, much like in the first match between Azzurra and TeamOrigin.
In this match, however, Team New Zealand played the role of Azzurra and luffed from leeward. Both boats were on port tack and Synergy was obliged to keep clear. The on-water umpires deemed that Synergy did not keep clear and penalized the team.
Team New Zealand extended its lead around the course in the fading winds. The final delta was skewed in Team New Zealand’s favour because Synergy had to perform the 270-degree penalty turn on the finish line in the light winds.
Emirates Team New Zealand sails downwind with its A2 spinnaker. Image copyright Bob Grieser/OutsideImages.co.nz
Bruni finds his comfort level in the calmer conditions
Semi Final Pair B
Azzurra d. TeamOrigin – Delta: 29 seconds
Azzurra 2, TeamOrigin 1
Yesterday Azzurra skipper Francesco Bruni said he wasn’t ready for the strong winds and big waves and got dominated in the pre-start of his race against TeamOrigin. Today, Bruni was much more at home in the 10-knot northerly and flat water, and led his team to the final of the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Cote d’Azur with a 29-second victory over TeamOrigin. Azzurra wins the match, 2-1.
The pre-start of this match was docile compared to yesterday, when TeamOrigin’s Ben Ainslie gained two penalties on Bruni. The Italian said things snowballed out of control after the first penalty for jibing too close. Today, however, Bruni and Ainslie hardly mixed it up as both looked for positioning on the line.
The pair entered the course on starboard tack with TeamOrigin to windward of Azzurra. The match was close up the first beat, with Azzurra placing three leebow tacks on TeamOrigin, just keeping its bow ahead. On the third leebow Ainslie was able to live on Bruni’s windward quarter, but Bruni used his position to luff Ainslie. The two yachts were nearly stopped in the water when Bruni pulled his bow down and gained speed. He tacked to port and led by 18 seconds at the windward mark. From there, the race was all Bruni’s as he and tactician Tommaso Chieffi covered and extended the rest of the way for the final delta.
Louis Vuitton Trophy
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