Emirates Team New Zealand takes off. Image copyright Chris Cameron/Emirates Team New Zealand.
by Warren Douglas
The breeze grew stronger and Emirates Team New Zealand picked up the pace on the second day of Audi MedCup racing in Cascais.
The defending champions had a more confident day on the water, starting on the same upbeat note they ended Race Day 1, with another win, and followed it up with a gutsy fourth placing.
Close racing on day two of the TP52 regatta. Image copyright Chris Cameron/Emirates Team New Zealand.
Those solid results promoted them up the Portugal Trophy leaderboard to second place, only two points off leaders TeamOrigin, newcomers to the Audi MedCup circuit this season.
“We knew we needed to try to consolidate on a good last race yesterday so we went out with the approach of getting two good races today,” skipper Dean Barker said. “All in all, it was a pretty positive day. To come out of the day second overall is good, but it’s still very shifty out there, and hard to read.”
Emirates Team New Zealand. Image copyright Chris Cameron/Emirates Team New Zealand.
The day began with puffy and shifty northwesterly winds of 10-14 knots, as the fleet had seen on the previous two days of racing. But the breeze rose during the day, peaking at 23 knot gusts during race two, to generate fast and exciting downwind sailing; NZL380 cracking along at speeds in the early 20s.
Emirates Team New Zealand on day two of racing off Portugal. Image copyright Chris Cameron/Emirates Team New Zealand.
In the first race of the day, NZL380 got a good start and chased 2008 circuit winners Quantum Racing around the first top mark. Downwind, Barker took the boat a little further inshore, to gain from a wind shift and cross ahead of the US boat. They strengthened their lead on the run to the finish, for a 40s victory over the Russian Synergy crew.
TP52 fleet. Image copyright Chris Cameron/Emirates Team New Zealand.
As the wind gathered speed in the second race, it was still unpredictable, and Emirates Team New Zealand came out on the wrong side of a wind swing off the startline.
“ We got a good start at the pin end, but unfortunately the breeze clocked 30 or 40 degrees right on the first beat, and we found ourselves pretty deep in the fleet. Ray [Davies] and Beasho [Adam Beashel] did a great job cutting our losses and getting us back into the action. Fortunately we were able to stay in touch, seventh around first top mark in, and fourth at the bottom, and we managed to maintain that,” Barker said.
Cristabella (GBR) has Kiwi tactician John Cutler on board. Image copyright Chris Cameron/Emirates Team New Zealand.
“We had wanted to back up our win with a top 3 placing. But the most satisfying thing was that we dug our way out and back into the race. Instead of gambling and hoping the breeze would come back our way, we ground our way back through the fleet.”
The All4One crew won the race in a neck-and-neck battle with TeamOrigin, who christened their Kiwi-built boat just two days ago.
Emirates Team New Zealand. Image copyright Chris Cameron/Emirates Team New Zealand.
“It’s really enjoyable sailing, with plenty of action, and we should have a couple more races in those stronger breezes, which will certainly test all the teams,” Barker said.
Emirates Team New Zealand. Image copyright Chris Cameron/Emirates Team New Zealand.
Audio of Dean Barker discussing the racing on day two off Cascais
Portugal Trophy, Cascais: TP52 Series
Overall – Day 2
Emirates Team New Zealand behind the spray. Image copyright Chris Cameron/Emirates Team New Zealand.
1. TeamOrigin (GBR), 4+9+2+4+2= 21 points
2. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), 6+11+1+1+4= 23
3. Synergy (RUS), 8+1+6+3+5= 23
4. Quantum Racing (USA), 1+5+8+2+10= 26
5. Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE (FRA/GER), 9+7+4+6+1= 27
6. Cristabella (GBR), 2+8+3+5+9= 27 points
7. Artemis (SWE), 3+6+7+8+3= 27
8. Matador (ARG), 7+2+5+9+8= 31
9. Luna Rossa (ITA), 5+3+9+10+6= 33
10. Bigamist 7 (POR), 11+4+11+7+11= 44
11. Bribón (ESP), 10+10+10+12(DNC)+7= 49
Emirates Team New Zealand. Image copyright Chris Cameron/Emirates Team New Zealand.
Emirates Team New Zealand
Audi MedCup
