Emirates Team New Zealand. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images/OC ThirdPole
by Warren Douglas
Emirates Team New Zealand climbed to third overall on Day 2 of the Boston Extreme Sailing series regatta.
With four wins from the seven races held, Dean Barker and crew (Adam Beashel, Jeremy Lomas and James Dagg) end the day on 106 points on a point adrift of second place The Wave Muscat.
Artemis is at the top of the leader board on 114 points, The Wave, Muscat, is second on 107 points and Emirates Team New Zealand third on 106 points, so, with three days of racing to go, the Boston regatta is wide open.
Dean Barker said: “We were really happy with today. We won four races and sailed in good shape for the rest. We copped a penalty in the last race and lost three places but overall we feel we have had a pretty good day."
Friday’s racing started in very light and fluky winds. Emirates Team New Zealand picked their way through the minefield created by the breeze to win. Three boats fell foul of the time limit rule – failing to finish within six minutes of the winning boat – and were listed in the results as dnf (did not finish). By the fourth race, the sea breeze really filled in and settled down.
Barker said the team’s scoreboard today looked much healthier. “We didn’t look so flash after he seven races yesterday, even though we sailed quite well considering it was Adam Beashel’s first race on an Extreme 40.
“Adam really settled in today – we had worked hard on our communications – and we sailed a lot better for it.”
The weather today was lighter than yesterday, Barker said, “and we had three downwind starts, which were very interesting ... We got some good starts and we’re happy with our speed. With three days – and more than 20 races – to go anything can happen.”
The weather forecast for tomorrow is south-east 10-12 knots turning to southerly 12-14 knots.
Extreme Sailing Series Act 4 Boston
Overall standings after 14 races, Day 2 (1.7.11)
1. Artemis Racing (SWE) 114 points
2. The Wave Muscat (OMA) 107
3. Emirates Team New Zealand 106
4. Groupe Edmond de Rothschild (FRA) 101
5. Luna Rossa (ITA) 88
6. Alinghi (SUI) 78
7. Niceforyou (ITA) 76
8. Red Bull Extreme Racing (AUT)70
9. Oman Air (OMA) 69
10. Team Extreme (EUR) 57
11. Team GAC Pindar (GBR) 44
Emirates Team New Zealand
Extreme Sailing Series
