Emirates Team New Zealand update - At the end only one point in it

Emirates Team New Zealand finished the Istanbul regatta of the extreme Saying Series just one point away from winning the title.

After five days of intense racing skipper Dean Barker, Glenn Ashby, James Dagg and Jeremy Lomas finished on 306 points, one behind the Swedish Artemis.

Three teams went into the final race with a chance – Artemis, the French Groupe Edmond de Rothschild and overnight leader Emirates Team New Zealand.

After 43 races at Istanbul, Barker was only five points behind Artemis. Scoring double points – 22 for the win - it was an achievable target.

The New Zealand crew did their work well, winning the race. If Artemis finished fourth or further back in the fleet the job would have been done.

Then they had to watch as Artemis climbed to third on the final gybe of the final downwind leg to take the Istanbul title.

Extreme Sailing Series Act 3 Istanbul
Current overall standings after Day 5 (29.5.11)

Position / Team / Skipper & crew / Points
1st Artemis Racing (SWE) 307 points
2nd Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), 306 points
3rd Groupe Edmond de Rothschild (FRA), 296 points
4th The Wave, Muscat (OMA), 274 points
5th Luna Rossa (ITA), 272 points
6th Red Bull Extreme Sailing (AUT), 254 points
7th Alinghi (SUI), 245 points (ahead on countback)
8th Oman Air (OMA), 245 points
9th Team GAC Pindar (GBR), 237 points
10th Niceforyou (ITA), 212 points
11th Team Extreme (EUR), 188 points