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.