Emirates Team New Zealand in the mistral off Cagliari. Image copyright Chris Cameron/ETNZ.
by Warren Douglas
The mistral really blew at Cagliari on Saturday bringing an abrupt end to the 2010 Audi MedCup 2010 series.
With three of the regatta’s eleven races cancelled, Emirates Team New Zealand finished the Cagliari regatta third, behind Matador and Audi A1 team powered by ALL4ONE. Matador (Argentina) finished on 25.5 points and Audi A1 ALL4ONE and Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL 380) on 38, with the countback going to the French-German team. The Russian entry Synergy was chasing hard, finishing on 38.5 points.
The mistral, blowing well over 30 knots, ended the regatta and the season. Emirates Team New Zealand won the 2010 series, the first team to successfully defend the title.
The win was achieved in the face of a vastly improved standard across the fleet which kept the pressure on sailing and shore crews alike.
Emirates Team New Zealand in the mistral off Cagliari. Image copyright Chris Cameron/ETNZ.
Skipper Dean Barker acknowledged the strength of the opposition: “We had to work very hard and never felt comfortable or secure. We didn’t win as freely as we did in 2009. Crew work and tactics had to be spot on and reliability was tested over and over again.”
Emirates Team New Zealand set up the season with a win at Cascais, Portugal, in May, winning three races as well as the key coastal race and gaining an initial lead of 20 points. Then followed a fourth at Marseille, second at Barcelona and first at Cartagena.
Barker: ‘We were planning to finish the season with a flourish. We needed two more races today if we were to improve our position on the leaderboard. It was a very hard regatta and Matador sailed so well – they couldn’t do anything wrong.”
Barker said he was proud to be part of a great team. “Their professionalism is outstanding. They never give up.
“The shore crew prepared the boat so well. We did 44 races without any significant gear failure.”
The team now prepares for a Louis Vuitton Trophy regatta to be raced at Dubai in November.
Emirates Team New Zealand in the mistral off Cagliari. Image copyright Chris Cameron/ETNZ.
2010 Audi MedCup Circuit
Final results
1. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), 31.5+31+35+35.5+38= 171 points
2. Quantum Racing (USA), 59.5+22.5+44+53.5+40= 219.5
3. Matador (ARG), 60+27+67+45+25.5= 224.5
4. TeamOrigin (GBR), 59.5+31+63+46.5+41.5= 241.5
5. Artemis (SWE), 57+53+33+64+49.5= 256.5
6. Synergy (RUS), 64+35.5+73+68,5+38.5= 279.5
7. Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE (FRA/GER), 51.5+29.5+84+78+38= 281
8. Bribón (ESP), 88+41+58+70+45.3= 296.5
9. Cristabella (GBR), 65+43.5+62+85.5+62= 318
10. Luna Rossa (ITA), 77.5+44.5+73+69+74.5= 338.5
11. Bigamist 7 (POR), 88+78+70+78.5+102= 416.5
Region of Sardinia Trophy
Final results
TP52 Series
1. Matador (ARG), 2+8+2+1+5+1+1.5+5= 25.5 points
2. Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE (FRA/GER), 5+1+5+6+3+11(DNF)+6+1= 38
3. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), 8+2+1+10+2+3+9+3= 38
4. Synergy (RUS), 6+5+3+4+1+5+7.5+7= 38.5
5. Quantum Racing (USA), 9+3+7+2+6+4+3+6= 40
6. TeamOrigin (GBR), 7+4+4+8+4+2+10.5+2= 41.5
7. Bribón (ESP), 1+9+8+3+8+3(RDG)+8(RDG)+5,3(RDG)= 45.3
8. Artemis (SWE), 3+6+10+5+9+8+4.5+4= 49.5
9. Cristabella (GBR), 4+10+6+9+7+6+12+8= 62
10. Luna Rossa (ITA), 10+7+9+7+10+7+13.5+9= 74.5
RDG = redress given; DNF = did not finish
Emirates Team New Zealand
Audi MedCup
