ETNZ leads series

Emirates Team New Zealand leads both the match racing and fleet racing sections of the America’s Cup World Series.

After two regattas the team has 19 points of a possible 20 in each.

The wind was up  for the last day of the Plymouth regatta. On the programme: one 40-minute  race and the title of Plymouth fleet race champion.

With the match racing championship firmly in the bag the previous day, Emirates Team New Zealand was expected to do well.

But with strong winds predicted all bets were off. Getting around the track in one piece was a priority.  As it was three yachts capsized and two were in a major collision and did not finish the race.

The breeze was between 20-25 knots, with gusts to 30. The wind speed was not the problem, but its shifty and puffy character as it came off the hills was. Tactician Ray Davies said the secret of getting around the track is to keep the speed up where the breeze is more stable and crews can see the  puffs coming. “We have to keep pushing – a timid approach can get you into trouble.”

Emirates Team New Zealand and Oracle 4 and Oracle 5 led the fleet from the start. The lead changed hands several times and Oracle 4 led across the finish line with Dean Barker and crew close behind followed by Oracle 5.

Yachts to capsize were Energy Team (France), China Team and Artemis Racing. Artemis had previously been damaged in a collision with Green Comm Racing. Both Artemis and Green Comm retired. Aleph was also damaged in a collision with Green Comm.

STANDINGS – PLYMOUTH FLEET RACING CHAMPIONSHIP 

1. ORACLE Racing Spithill

2. Emirates Team New Zealand

3. ORACLE Racing Coutts

4. Aleph

5. Team Korea

6. Energy Team

7. China Team

8. Artemis Racing

8. Green Comm Racing 

PLYMOUTH MATCH RACING CHAMPIONSHIP (Saturday) 

1. Emirates Team New Zealand

2. Team Korea

3. Artemis Racing

4. ORACLE Racing Coutts

5. ORACLE Racing Spithill

6. Energy Team

7. Green Comm Racing

8. China Team

9. Aleph