Emirates Team New Zealand begins to head towards the windward mark after luffing Synergy. This was a pivotal moment in the match as Emirates Team New Zealand gained control and Synergy was penalised. Image copyright Bob Grieser/OutsideImages.co.nz
by Warren Douglas
The afternoon breeze at Nice failed to fill in on Saturday afternoon forcing postponement of the first of three final matches between Emirates Team New Zealand and the Italian team Azzurra.
That puts pressure on the race committee to try to get the best of three final finished on Sunday the last day of racing.
Earlier in the day, Emirates Team New Zealand had won its way into the final of the Louis Vuitton Trophy with an emphatic win over the Russian team Synergy.
In its sudden-death semi-final on Saturday morning ETNZ got away to a clean start, went bow-to-bow with the Russians up the beat and then forced a penalty at the first mark.
From there, Dean Barker, tactician Ray Davies, strategist Adam Beashel and navigator Jules Salter were firmly in control. The 10-12 knot northerly breeze started to collapse down the course as it swung into the east, keeping crew on their toes to keep the yacht moving.
As Synergy slipped further behind, its options and opportunities started to close down. ETNZ led through the leeward gate, extended on the beat and was never threatened. The margin at the finish was 4min 2sec.
TEAMORIGIN raced Synergy in the petit final for third and fourth placers, with Synergy winning by 2min, to take third place overall.
Emirates Team New Zealand
Louis Vuitton Trophy
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