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.