No sure things for Emirates Team NZ at MedCup Marseille

[Source: Emirates Team NZ] The Marseille regatta of the Audi MedCup circuit starts on Tuesday with a practice race and racing for real starts overnight on Wednesday.

Marseille is where Emirates Team New Zealand started its unbeaten winning run last season. Since then the boys have built some momentum and leads the 2010 series by 20 points after the regatta in Portugal.

However, the sailing team knows three bad results at Marseille could wipe that buffer in a day.

Dean Barker again is looking for consistency over every race and every day of the regatta to maintain the team’s lead.

And that won’t be easy. Barker is expecting improved performances from Quantum Racing, with skipper Terry Hutchinson at the helm, and TeamOrigin, the Britsh entry with Ben Ainlie at the helm and Ian Percy calling tactics.

Third placed team at Cascais, Artemis, is also seen as a threat. But Emirates Team New Zealand does not dismiss any yacht in the fleet. “Any boat could win any race. There’s not pecking order in Marseille, no easy races. We will have to work hard.”

Points after Cascais
1. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), 31.5 points
2. Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE (FRA/GER), 51.5
3. Artemis (SWE), 57
4. Quantum Racing (USA), 59.5
5. TeamOrigin (GBR), 59.5
6. Matador (ARG), 60
7. Synergy (RUS), 64
8. Cristabella (GBR), 65
9. Luna Rossa (ITA), 77.5
10. Bribón (ESP), 82.5
11. Bigamist 7 (POR), 88


Emirates Team NZ during Monday's unofficial training session. Marseille, 14 June 2010. Photo copyright Chris Cameron / Emirates Team NZ

Emirates Team NZ during Monday's unofficial training session. Marseille, 14 June 2010. Photo copyright Chris Cameron / Emirates Team NZ

Emirates Team NZ during Monday's unofficial training session. Marseille, 14 June 2010. Photo copyright Chris Cameron / Emirates Team NZ