Emirates Team NZ lead Portugal Trophy

[Source: AUDI Medcup] Emirates Team New Zealand, 2009 Audi MedCup champions, was second and first today, and leads by 3 points over TeamOrigin. Tomorrow, the TP52 Series Coastal Race is due at 1300h.

Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) lead the Portugal Trophy, Cascais after posting a strong second and first place from the two TP52 races today.

But for an error by Team Origin (GBR) which required them to take a penalty turn early in the second race, the emerging duel between the Kiwi Audi MedCup champions and the British team might be even closer.

Conditions were ideal for the third day of racing for the 11 strong TP52 fleet, 16-22 knots of breeze and two good tests proved enjoyable tests for crews through the fleet. As the breeze peaked during the both races, several gennaker sails were shredded, a tough punishment for small mistakes, and consistency was never easily achieved.

Since their faltering opening day, when they scored a sixth and 11th, languishing at the back of the pack at the finish of Race 2, Emirates Team New Zealand are back to something close to their best. Now they have won three of the last five starts and lead TeamOrigin by three points as the TP52 Series approaches tomorrow’s Coastal Race.

Emirates Team NZ found their form and are now leading the Portugal Trophy. Cascais, 14 May 2010. Photo copyright Chris Cameron / Emirates Team NZ

With 2008 champions Quantum Racing (USA) remaining slightly compromised in the absence again today of skipper-helm Terry Hutchinson (USA), who was still under final observation after taking a knock on the head before yesterday, Emirates Team New Zealand have found themselves an adversary very close to their level in Team Origin who are still only on Day 3 of their TP52 racing experience.

Adrian Stead (GBR) took the helm of Quantum Racing again today but, according to the Quantum Racing team, Hutchinson should be back on board for tomorrow’s coastal race.

TeamOrgin won the first race and were serious contenders in the second heat of the day, until they had to take a penalty for infringing Jochen Schuemann and the crew of Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE near the top mark. But the British team, which has a trio of gold medallists, Ben Ainslie (GBR) on the helm, Iain Percy (GBR) as tactician and Andrew Simpson (GBR) as strategist, forming their afterguard has otherwise been consistently strong starting and nailing the vital windshifts. Percy spoke yesterday of not putting themselves in potentially expensive positions, and so they will draw important conclusions from their de-brief today.

The Russian team on Synergy, with Karol Jablonski (POL) as helm and Rod Dawson (NZL) as tactician, have been impressive with their regular results – third in the second race today – keeps them two points ahead of Torbjorn Tornqvist’s Artemis (SWE) which paired a second to a seventh today.

Team Origin follows Emirates Team NZ close behind in the overall leaderboard. Cascais, 14 May 2010. Photo copyright Ian Roman / Team Origin

TP52 Series - Race 6
Emirates Team New Zealand lead off the pin end of the start line and were able to get to the favoured right side of the course early to gain the initial advantage along with TeamOrigin. But TeamOrigin managed to get a better wind shift slightly inshore to round in the lead ahead of Team New Zealand.

The breeze built from inshore on the last run, when Emirates Team New Zealand stayed further off. After gybe setting, as did TeamOrigin, Bribón (ESP) stole ahead of the champions on the final run, challenging for second, but when a problem with their spinnaker sheet after their final gybe, just 100 metres from the finish line, dropped the Spanish boat to fourth. TeamOrigin won comfortably and Luna Rossa (ITA) gained on the final run to earn third.

TP52 Series - Race 7
Emirates Team New Zealand lead from the first mark to the finish line, with another display of cohesive team work and immaculate tactics. With the breeze peaking at over 23 knots, the action near the windward mark which was some 600 metres off the shore, was intense and exciting. Artemis took second place.


Portugal Trophy, Cascais - Overall – Day 3

1. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), 6+11+1+1+4+2+1= 26 puntos
2. TeamOrigin (GBR), 4+9+2+4+2+1+7= 29
3. Synergy (RUS), 8+1+6+3+5+8+3= 34
4. Artemis (SWE), 3+6+7+8+3+7+2= 36
5. Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE (FRA/GER), 9+7+4+6+1+5+5= 37
6. Quantum Racing (USA), 1+5+8+2+10+9+8= 43
7. Cristabella (GBR), 2+8+3+5+9+6+10= 43 points
8. Luna Rossa (ITA), 5+3+9+10+6+3+9= 45
9. Matador (ARG), 7+2+5+9+8+12(DSQ)+6= 49
10. Bribón (ESP), 10+10+10+12(DNC)+7+4+4= 57
11. Bigamist 7 (POR), 11+4+11+7+11+11+12(DNF)= 67