Louis Vuitton Cup - Semifinals - Day 8: Emirates Team NZ score comfortable victory over Desafío Español and move to finals

Adios Desafío Español! The Spanish America's Cup said adios to the 32nd edition of the event after succumbing to the powerful New Zealanders in the seventh and final match of the Louis Vuitton Cup semifinals.

Today's conditions were testing for both the boats and the crews with winds reaching 20 knots and waves almost 1.5 meters. The New Zealanders seemed to be in command and helmsman Dean Barker won the race before it even started with his aggressive prestart. He managed to push Desafío Español way beyond the right-hand corner of the prestart box and after tacking powered ahead to starting line. Both boats were late at the start but that was meaningless for the kiwis as Desafío Español was trailing them by 14 seconds.

With that initial lead in the pocket, Emirates Team NZ had little to worry about. Not only did they lead throughout the race, they extended their lead in every mark. Although the kiwis avoided pushing the boat too hard - they had no reason after all - their speed was superior to the Spanish. Finally they crossed the finish line 1:28 minutes ahead of ESP-97 and secured their place to the Louis Vuitton Cup final. They will have to face Luna Rossa starting June 1st.

Prestart of the race between Desafío Español and Emirates Team NZ. Valencia, 23 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Desafío Español were cornered by Emirates Team NZ beyond the right-hand corner of the start box. Valencia, 23 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Dean Barker decides to tack away and Emirates Team NZ rush to the start line. Valencia, 23 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Emirates Team NZ power ahead the start line. Valencia, 23 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The race is over right after it starts. The Spanish team cross the start line 10 seconds after Emirates Team NZ. Valencia, 23 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The right side being the favored one, both boats chose to go that way. Valencia, 23 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Desafío Español's ESP-97 struggling upwind. At some stage the crew had to use buckets to throw out all the water coming in. Valencia, 23 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Halfway down the first downwind leg Emirates Team NZ had extended their lead. Valencia, 23 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Emirates Team NZ rounded the right buoy of the leeward gate and went to the right. Valencia, 23 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Emirates Team NZ and Desafío Español at the leeward gate. Valencia, 23 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Desafío Español went to the right as well. Valencia, 23 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

In the last stretch of the race Emirates Team NZ had increased their lead to 500 meters. Valencia, 23 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Emirates Team NZ cross the finish line, win the match and the semifinal. Valencia, 23 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing