Semi-final Artemis (SWE) vs Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL. La Maddalena, Sardinia, June 4th 2010. Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena (22 May -6 June 2010), © Sander van der Borch / Artemis.
by Paul Cayard
Tough day for Artemis. The short story is we won the first race leading all the way around.
Semi-final Artemis (SWE) vs Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL. La Maddalena, Sardinia, June 4th 2010. Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena (22 May -6 June 2010), © Sander van der Borch / Artemis.
The second race was abandoned after one lap when the Northeasterly died as the Northwesterly filled.
Semi-final Artemis (SWE) vs Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL. La Maddalena, Sardinia, June 4th 2010. Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena (22 May -6 June 2010), © Sander van der Borch / Artemis.
The restarted second race was all about the left and ETNZ got the left at the start. They led all the way.
Semi-final Artemis (SWE) vs Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL. La Maddalena, Sardinia, June 4th 2010. Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena (22 May -6 June 2010), © Sander van der Borch / Artemis.
The third race was for all the marbles. The wind was the same. Both boats fought hard for the left and our helmsman, Terry Hutchinson got us the left and ETNZ had to tack and head off to the right.
Semi-final Artemis (SWE) vs Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL. La Maddalena, Sardinia, June 4th 2010. Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena (22 May -6 June 2010), © Sander van der Borch / Artemis.
Somehow, for 10 minutes out of the whole afternoon, the wind went right and held. So instead of us getting paid for getting the left like on all other legs today, we didn't and they rounded just ahead of us. From there they controlled the left, which was good again and that was it.
Crew packs the gennaker in between races. Semi-final Artemis (SWE) vs Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL. La Maddalena, Sardinia, June 4th 2010. Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena (22 May -6 June 2010,) © Sander van der Borch / Artemis.
The Artemis team sailed better this week than we have before. We take that and move forward.
Semi-final Artemis (SWE) vs Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL. La Maddalena, Sardinia, June 4th 2010. Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena (22 May -6 June 2010), © Sander van der Borch / Artemis.
Tomorrow, the other semi-final will be raced and then the final on Sunday. Time permitting there will be a petit final which we would be in.
Artemis
Louis Vuitton Trophy
