America's Cup - Race Three

Probably the most thrilling race of the entire 32nd cup match racing to date. Both team's working hard under difficult conditions as lastnight's storm once again brought choppy sea's.

Dial Up: Barker fought hard to keep the right and sacrificed 8 seconds off the start in order to do so allowing Alinghi to gain 2 boat lengths but with a split tack start heading up the right hand side the wind shifts came and we clawed back and took the lead eventually rounding the top mark 1:23 ahead of Alinghi with a Hoist clean and spinnekar set in the face of Alinghi still to round the mark one.

Mark Two: Barker found difficulty in the boats direction against win direction and lost pace and caused the bowmen to faulter when the Spinnekar got caught in the clew but quickly recoverd and only lost 10 seconds.

3rd Leg: Having a strong gain over Alinghi is was their marvellous efforts and determination the they were able to fight back at ETNZ and close the gap only nearing the top mark getting their bow in front and taking the mark ahead of ETNZ whom followed shorlty after.

Last Downwind Leg: This moment brought about several nail biting situations as the lead changed several times from 80 ahead to 50 behind and back again. ETNZ were able to read the shifts right and align themselves in a better position towards the finish line which brought them a 25 second delta win over Alinghi going 2 up with only 3 more wins to successfully secure that "The America's Cup is once again New Zealands Cup"

(had a few emotional tears typing that last line)

Maks Update June 25th 2007

Maks and I had a quiet weekend staying mostly at home as too keep her warm and out of the cold winter winds as she presently has a sniffly nose so don't want her getting any sicker and keep her away from lastyears frightful winter flu's and fevers.

Picking her up from kindy at 5pm she jumped into my arms telling me she'd lost her shoe which flew off in the process of her rushing over to me. It was a quick run to the car before the rain set in and off home for a quick bath and change of clothes so we could run down the road to Betty's 60th birthday family dinner. She enjoyed most of my steak and salad so once we got home I had to make myself a sandwich as was a little hungry still.

I was happy that she awoke at 7am the following morning instead of the usual 6am so count my blessings for one hours extra sleep in. Then we got the day started with breakfast and games and the normal destruction of my lounge. Later on we went to visit Simon and Yoni before coming home to prepare her dinner, Yoni was to babysit Maks while I had a team Dinner event to go to (booked the team into Grand Harbour Restaurant and ordered the lobster, NICE) I left the restaurant walking like a penguin I'd had so much to eat. Got home and put maks to bed before Simon and I waited for the first race of the America's cup to start. (details on that race noted below)

Sunday we woke up at again around 7am with her jumping out of bed and running around to wake Simon and Yoni up, which as I lay curled up in my bed laughing hearing her trying to wake and get them up. Had told them to stay over as Yoni was to babysit maks so simply figured they could stay over and Simon and I could stay up to watch the match racing.

Sunday we did the usual grocery shopping and laundry, the FUN Stuff and just relaxed around home before dropping her back home at around 5pm. Wanted to get her home before the sunset and the temperature dropped. She was fast asleep in the car and remained so even as we walked in the door, took her a while to pry her off me as she was stuck like glue and wouldn't go to anyone which made it difficult as couldn't drink my hot cup of coffee with her on my. Untill Donne came up with the perfec distraction but telling her to come see the big Cat (and it was HUGE) next door. That did the trick and I was able to finish my coffee in peace and have a good chat with Jeff in the process.

Putting my jacket on ready to leave, Maks knew I was going and firmly attached herself to my leg so I gave her a big cuddle before getting ready to rush out into the cold seeking the warmth of my car. As usual Maks and Donne came out to wave goodbye from the balchoney.

Kiwi Pride

America's Cup Race 1 & 2

Race One

With stern faces ETNZ took to the waters in ValNZcia cheered on by the many kiwi supports with our flags rippling in the wind of about 10 knotts.

Having won the coin toss we opted for the starboard advantage which Barker defended brilliently willing the start as both boats headed upwind thru the first leg with ETNZ taking an early lead from the start, then disater struck as the wind shifts and pressure dropped and shifted over to Alinghi whom bounced back and took a convincing lead and forced a tacking dual up to the top mark. Rounding the first mark closely behind Alinghi, however the second downwind leg just put Alinghi further ahead increasing their lead and finishing the race a full 35 seconds ahead of the kiwi's.

Race Two

Barker again won the start well and headed up the first leg rounding the top mark behind Alinghi and then again on the bottom marker. Then the decisive moment occured when ETNZ continuing to place the pressure, Alinghi made their one and only mistake and Barker was right there to take advantage and get our bow in front and round the top marker in the lead with a fantastic hoist and sails set before Alinghi rounded the mark we took gain and flew out to demand a well earned first win for New Zealand

The Score is even with one win a piece.

No racing tonight, stay tuned.

COUNTDOWN: 10 day's to go

The time ticking away and the Dalton boy's of ETNZ are fully aware and making the most effort to maximise what remaining time they have until June 23rd when the America's Cup is due to kick off.

The racing crew have been having a break with the shore and sail crew's working around the clock to prep the boats and sails in stead for testing which will be evaluated prior to a decision on the exact set up of the race boat. A few changes to the boats configurations have been made similar to what they trialed in Auckland, NZ to pull maximum speed in light wind conditions.

The race team will have a short break prior to race but David Slyfield and Jon Ackland are still working on the crew's physical and mental readiness as the big day lumes ever closer. Its important not to burn them out as it's still a long road travelled to securing the outright win.

Whilse Alinghi are still the benchmark team with a boat that can hold good speed and a very capable crew, ETNZ are still looking to come out on top. There is somewhat of a grudge match between these two teams but for Dalton and the crew its all business as the ultimate goal is to win no questions asked. As Grant has said in past, he would rather let his deeds speak louder than words. Team New Zealand have a good shot at the win and they have done all in their powers to do so with top management, planning, tactics and execution and I trust in them.

Everyone at the base is in a very positive frame of mind as are the kiwi supporters I speak with showing great initiative to bring the cup home, GO BOYS.

America's Cup: No Small Feat

With a little over a week till the face off against old foe's Alinghi the team took a much needed are deserved 3-day break following the win of the LV Cup over Luna Rossa. The 5-0 win as noted in past has allowed us valuable extra time to refine our boats which have once again hit the waters off Valencia. It's allowed them time to refine the boat to match Alinghi whom they know have a depth of technology and pace they need to match or better.

Grant Dalton was thankful for the time they spent in Auckland working on the boats that meant they didn't fall into the same problems that Luna Rossa did where they were still working on their boat right up to the final race, and that ETNZ are just checking on a few things they did back in AKL, NZ.

Also noted that they are reviewing how to squeeze extra speed out of NZL92 and evaluating from top to bottom and then after the tests, the team will take some time off prior to the first race.

Grant Dalton siad the he and the team can feel the support from their loyal kiwi supporters and its great to know that the excitement surrounding the America's Cup hasn't died in the hearts of Kiwi's. After the 2003 loss a concious decision was made to not court the NZ public and rather let deeds prove stronger than words.

Countdown

Makayla's grandparents arrive home this Friday landing into NZ at approximately 9pm.

She hasn't seen them since they were here earlier in the year where prior to that it was at her Christening. It will be great to see them and for them to see how much their little grandie has grown and how much she's talking now.

She likes to talk on the phone more and more, whether there is someone on the end or not saying "Hello how are you good" and singing happy birthday, twinkle twinkle little star, the wheels on the bus, phee bind mouse(3 blind mice) and more. A regular little singstar she is and to my ear is able to carry a tune, but then again I'm biased as she's all sweet to my ears.

Alinghi v's Emirates Team New Zealand

Last week I checked out Alinghi's website and while it was loading I could not but hiss at my computer screen with sheer frustration. Feeling like a traitor, I reminded myself that its just a fact finding mission to see what they are up to and if I could pull any information about their boats and crew. Instead I decided to close the window and research elsewhere, my comments are noted below.

The chosen helmsman will either be Ed Baird or Peter Holmberg with the leaded skipper rumoured to be Baird. Baird was apart of the 1995 Team New Zealand campaign where he was the tune up skipper for Russel Coutts before 2000 with Young America and then 2003 with Stars and Stripes. Baird is an 8 time world champion since his 1980 laser world campionship win, ranked first in the ISAF Match Racing for 2004-2005 sparking a strong competitor for Barker.
Dean Barker during the 1995 campaign was stuck somewhere in Europe after his van broke down and spent 10 days bunkered in a small town that fortunately televised the racing which he watched wrapped at our achievement.
The MAIN fear factor for ETNZ is the worlds best Afterguard/tactician Brad Butterworth, whom has won the last 10 consecutive America's cup race's (excluding the 95' campaign).
A fearsom foe with his experience going back as far as NZ's first challenge for the cup off Fremantle, Australia as the tactician on KZ7 (the Big Boat) and from their he's only become stronger.

BIRTHDAY NOTICE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

goes out to Davina Bicker who is some where in either the UK or Europe for work at present where she'll spend her day of birth.

Many happy celebratory cheers

Mike

Maks Update 12th June 07

The weekend was spend mostly indoors with the weather being somewhat dismal. I picked her up from Daycare and we took the back roads home making good time even with a quick stop into Nosh to pick up some snapper for lunch the following day. Arrived home around 17.30hrs and promptly got her changed and we went down the road to meet up with the work crew for a little function, not staying too long as Maks was tired.
Back home with her little arms around me and her little head down on my shoulders I thought she would be in bed early so quickly gave her a bath and into her PJ's after she had her dinner. We sat down to watch some tv snuggled up next to me then fell asleep so I kept her comfortable untill she was fast asleep before transfering her into bed, and I followed suite shortly after.
Saturday, I'm struggling to recall what we did, in fact come to think of it, so is Sunday.
All I know is that we had a relaxing time at home together reading books and playing games, I'd spent some of the time cleaning while she had her afternoon naps and got done quickly that I was able to close my eyes for a short while which I never seem to get a chance to do.
OH YES - Saturday night we went to Karyn's birthday party which started at 5pm, and stayed until about 8pm so Stef (my cousin) could she her. Stef's is my number one babysitter, she's awesome, and her and maks play well together. Staying an hour longer than initially planned it was a good time for them to relate to each other so she can be up for more baby sitting opportunities in future till Ma-Ma aka Poh Poh comes home.
We did phone Poh Poh a few times especially on her birthday where maks was able to do a short rendition of Happy Birthday before running off to make more mess.

CONGRATULATIONS TEAM NEW ZEALAND

ETNZ Win LV Cup

Emirates Team New Zealand in the early hours (NZST) secured the final race over Luna Rossa to take a clean sweep win with 5 straight wins to take the Louis Vuitton Cup. The last time we won the cup was with Black Magic in 1995 under the management of the Late Great Sir Peter Blake.

We now secure the right to challenge Alingi (Swizz Syndicate) in the best of 9 races (first to five) to best outright ownership of the worlds oldest trophy cup.

With the win there was time for celebrations on board and on the shores of Valencia as in the hearts of all Kiwi supporters all around the world to share in the victory.

RACE SUMMARY.

The start was fierce and tactical as the two skippers battled it out and with 20 seconds to run both boats had till spill some air off their sails and burn some time for fear of crossing too early. Barker sailed strong and conservatively protecting their chosen line and whilst sailing very tight was still clear of any impending penalty calls which would've killed our chance for this victory.

As the beat started up the first leg it was ETNZ crossing the line at speed pin end and heading up the left side of the course with the Italians ever so slightly ahead.
Barkers ability to head the boat with the bow at a higher angle gave us a marginal advantage and were able to take the cross and round the top mark a head of the Italians. The team sailed perfectly with clean tacks, gybes and overall top seamanship teamwork. We could see Barker communicating constantly with his trimmers and the afterguard as they searched for any wind shifts and proctected their tactical sailing. In the end we crossed the finish line 22 seconds ahead of Luna Rossa. A marvellous finish but not at all an easy win as this was one of the more pressured raced they have had in the Final Challenge series.

Luna Rossa seemed to have a quicker upwind boat after flat waters increased their boats performance. An additional note is that the shore crew spend all night making changes to the boat, what exactly that was is still unclear as their were rumours they changed the bulb yet the rig was still outside which took that idea away. Possible changes could've been to the keel & rudder to help it reduce any side shifts and increase its upwind speed.

WHAT NOW FOR ETNZ

well it's a two week break before the first race off against Alingi is scheduled so that time will be spent most likely giving our boy's a rest while the shore crew work on the boat and refine any improvements to the might might boat in prep for the America's Cup with possible testing and refinements to the sailing team through strategy meetings, fitness and on boat training.

Wish the team every bit of support mustered in the hearts of kiwi's everywhere.

NZL 92 goes 4-up in the LV Cup final

A nerve racking race lastnight up the first beat with a nail biting excitement.

It was a split tack start with NZL92 crossing at speed off to the leeward side while ITA94 tacked and headed up towards the right side of the course. NZL92 won the start with a small margin but that was soon taken back as before halfway up the first leg the Italians had increased to a 100m lead. The tacticians aboard NZL92 decided to stick to their game plan with the information provided by their weather team and hold out to the left and patiently wait for the wind shifts to come. While it had benefited ITA94 initally the shifts came and we started to close the margin loosing the first cross but edging the bow in front we won the second cross to gain right of way and rounding the first mark ahead of the Italians after going outside the layline to obtain the most benefits from the wind and a better attack angle at the mark. It was a marvellous clean set with the large red Emirates sail bearing down over ITA94 as it's done so many times to many of its competitors during the LV cup regatta.

Taking the windward mark, NZL92 further extended their lead after ITA94 rounded the leeward mark which wasn't expected, and could have affected their closing gain as they rounded the top mark a full minute behind NZL92.

Barker and the ETNZ crew sailed conservatively down the last beat protecting the right and crossing the line 52 seconds ahead on ITA94.

********************************************************************

Emirates Team New Zealand have their eye's on the prize with the LV cup within their grasp. While the supporters and viewers can get excited about this, it's still business for ETNZ as they know they still have a long way to go to securing the America's Cup victory.
They can't afford to relax now as that could prove disastrous and lose of momentum right now would be detrimental to our campaign as a 5-nil win over ITA94 would increase the teams morale going into the America's Cup facing off against Alingi.
Should we take the final 5-nil win tonight we would have a good rest break before facing Alingi allowing the crew a rest period and time to evaluate and put to the test strengthening area's they want to improve.

But until full victory, may support stand strong and the team spirits held high.

Maksdaddy's Comments on The LV and America's Cup

ETNZ have a strong crew both experienced and more than up to the task. Grant Dalton has managed the crew superbly with Dean Barker at the helm we are looking much stronger than our defense campaign of 2003 which many like myself have put behind us and looking to the future for better and brighter things to come.

When I heard that Grant Dalton was to become CEO of Team New Zealand, I was exstatic, as it's his character, passion and drive which was what we needed in term's of defined leadership which was so lacked in 2003. His experience and management goes back to that of the 95 and 2000 campaigns under the watchful eye of Sir Peter Blake with a long standing history of sailing. His calibre of involvement sparked a new revival and trust that we could once again bring the America's Cup back to NZ shores. Widely respected in both sailing and as a kiwi, he was someone we could get behind with knowledge that he will do all in his prowress to successfully challenge Alingi as we know are a great threat now that BMW Oracle are out of the picture and Luna Rossa almost out of the picture, everything to this point is going according to plan, well my plan at least.

NZL92 is a fine boat in deed and holding up very well in light and strong winds showing perfect balance under the hands of a very tightly knit crew that know how to pull every knot of speed out of her, Marvellous. The advantage at this point over Luna Rossa is that we have more new sails to our disposal than they do which shall increase our ability to create speed where and when its required and too this we hope that there will be plenty left over for the match up against Alingi whom at this point are still training and refining their boat. At the time of the America's cup when they take to the line, they will find themselves fresh and up to the task to take on their challenger having not been exhausted by months of racing. ETNZ have now been racing solid for several months now, while there is a break between the final and the America's Cup Series there is still much preparation to be done by both teams. ETNZ will have the grip tight in the face they have sailed competetively now for 2-3 months and know exactly how the boat will operate in those conditions. However both team's and boats will face off soon and the decider will be who has the better balance.

Alingi - with the loss of Russel coutes their is much hope for us yet, however they still have a very strong team on board with Butterworth(top afterguard), Monk(was our top bowman) and Daubney(trimmer). Alingi are still to be feared and ETNZ are well aware of their capabilities as they are of ours and without a doubt they would be evaluating every race we've had and applied that to their strategy, this is the disadvantage we have so we have to be strong on the day and come up with a few surprises win the right of way and defend to the death.

It can be said that Alingi won't go quietly into the night and will force our hand at every opportunity to apply the pressure and hope we make a mistake. A penalty against us in the dial up would be catastrophic to say the least so we entrust that barker will continue to sail as he has done, conservatively with grit and determination for defense and attack at the opportune moment.

KAZZIE GET'S MUCH OLDER

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIBLING SISTER

Karyn Lian Stark, Daughter of Lord Mervyn (your name is Mervyn...) Ian Lewis Stark and Layd Mary Stark of Tutbury Province, Shall today turn of the age 29.

Hippo Birdy Tui Ewe

Not fair being the older, can't really laugh at their age as it can be thrown straight back at you.

Maks Update Tuesday 5th June 2007

Working Saturday and being Queen's Birthday Weekend we found the phone lines dead quiet as most people were out enjoying the extra day in the weekend. Therefore we had a raffle draw of names in the hat of whom would be able to go home early. Of the three drawn mine was the first, so at the hour of 2pm I packed up and raced out the door. The plan was that Leighann would take maks with her to watch her friends play indoor cricket and I would collect her from there instead of driving all the way out to howick. But with the extra time I used that to race down the road and do the groceries as figured that she'd be really hungry when we got home.
On picking her up, Leighann said that's she'd been full of beans and with her running around after Maks hadn't actually seen any cricket and had been there for 4 hours.
As soon as we got in the car and drove off Maks was asking for Simon, so we called him but unfortunately he was busy at work. Advising Maks of this she asked if we could go see Yoni, so we did. This worked out perfectly as Maks had fun playing with Yoni and her friend who are nuts about kids. We left to come back to mine after a quick dinner with Simon, Yoni and her friend and it was straight to bed for the little one after bath and her evening glass of milk, so Simon and I could watch the AB's kick France's C-Team quite easily (but with a few injuries).

I decided not to repeat my mistake where I would stay up to watch the Louis Vuitton Cup and get 3 hours of sleep so instead went to be early at 11pm with Maks waking me up at 1am and ended up sleeping with me till 6am when it was time for breakfast.

Today we went to Butterfly creek where maks got to got two rabbits and pat a big goat before we went to the play ground slide. We then left and went to dress mart for all of 5-10 minutes before she got grumpy and I brought her home where we had a quick nap. At about 4pm we went around to see simon and yoni as I had some Lamb steaks that needed cooking so thought they would be better done on their bbq.
After a short visit, we came home to a bath and supper for maks before friends came round, KJ and Howie.
The next day we just relaxed and chilled out at home playing games, cooked her some nice french toast for lunch, then tried for 2 hours to get her to take a midday nap. Finally got her down for just ovr an hour, then up and atom for games with her daddy (that's me !!) before I got her dinner and bathed prior to Donne picking her up.
It's nice that she wanted me to come with her as I strapped her into her car seat as she cried and screamed for me not to go, love that feeling, but was time for her to go home with her mom.

Needless to say - I took an early invitation to my awaiting bed lastnight as was completely knackered after a long week at work and then with maks.
Still woke up this morning completely knackered though

Congratulations Are Given On Board

As shown by the photo's, there is still time for a quick congratulations but the team still work on knowing there is still a long way to go yet to securing the LV Cup first and the suequentially the America's Cup

NZ Support ETNZ

Kiwi's Showing their Colours

ETNZ Go 3 Up In LV Final

LV Cup Final – Results
Winner: first team to win five matches.

ETNZ 1 1 1 Total 3
LUNA ROSSA 0 0 0 Total 0

The Third Race of the Louis Vuitton Final saw ETNZ gain their 3rd straight victory and put them right in contention for the match up against Alingi. With 3 wins under their belt the pressure has eased but not at all released on ETNZ however the LR camp must be under some effects of morale knwoing that much pressure is on their shoulders now. This is a time that we need to consistently be better than the day before with the lead up to the America's Cup. The team work is solid and easily seen with the clean set around the top mark where the only concern is the Gybe routine which lacks the finess when matched to all other facets of ETNZ's game. It's this area that could possibly open a passing lane to LR or even Alingi even if we are sailing tight we cannot afford to allow any opportunity for the opposition to gain any advantage.

We haven't seen Alingi sail for a few months now since possibly the pre-regatta Act 1-12 races and the fleet race where they faired quite well against all the other teams. With plenty of time for Alingi to further test the boat and rigging they have the advantage of having raced with Barker before. Brad Butterworth (afterguard and possibly the worlds best) was in the 2000 campaign with Barker who was the backup skipper to Russel Coutes at that time,so there a moderate advantage but it's been two campaigns since then so it will be interesting to see how we fair once again. Unlike the defense campaign our boat is sturdy and is holding up well in the Valencia waters. The boat is good and strong boat and the team equal to the task, Kiwi support could not be any less required at this point. It's Time To Show Our Colours Kiwi's so get behind our lad's and GO TEAM NEW ZEALAND.

Maksdaddy Update 2nd June 2007

Had a rather entertaining phone call with Makayla lastnight with her verbal communication coming along very nicely as Donne put her to bed and I could say "goodnight"

Donne is going away for the long weekend and seeing as I have to work today, will pick her up from Leighann after I finish work, race off to get some groceries (as I presently have none) and then home for dinner, bath and bed. Not the most entertaining of times of how I wish to spend my time with her but as it's the queens birthday weekend I at least will have her Monday also. Not quite sure what we'll get up to over the next two days but if the weather holds out maybe a visit to butterfly creek might be in order? we'll just play it by air.

Louis Vuitton Final Race One

Some photo's of the first race (Group 1)

LV FINAL

June 1st : Emirates Team New Zealand take the first win over Luna Rossa in the best of nine match races to win the right to challenge for the America's Cup.
It will be an all out furious fight to be the first team to win a total of 5 matches in order to progress to the Ultimate Yachting challenge.

Whilst I did all in my power to try and stay up to watch the race lastnight I just didn't have it in me and most likely looking back, fell asleep just before the race was to commence (just after 1am NZST) and raced back into work this morning 'early' so I could check my web updates to see the glorious result.

It was marked as a very close race with both boats crossing the line at speed and ended with an 8 second win to ETNZ with Luna Rossa never more than one step behind. Unable to find a passing lane, Barker and his team found their welknown tactics served them well once again and the afterguard and tactician being bang on the money with the expected wind shift which could've meant if missed, allowing Luna Rossa the passing opportunity they were hunting down.

ETNZ fpreparation for the final has been flawless, with a strong boat and crew to match. Experienced sailors including Rob Waddell (olympic Gold Medalist) the crew have prepared long and true to this and with their level heads and teeth gritted, they will bring the cup home to open arms of all kiwi's.