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Emirates Team New Zealand got off to a solid start to the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series in Toulon today as racing got under way as scheduled in very light and puffy Mediterranean breeze.
Starting well in the light wind is always vitally important and Emirates Team New Zealand, with Rio gold medalist Peter Burling back on the helm, was on the money at the start gun getting two strong starts at the windward end of the line in the first two races of the day eventually ending in two second places.
But it wasn't all about the starts on a course that was always open to big gains and big loses through being in the right position of the course and picking the ever changing wind shifts.
Tactician Ray Davies spent the day perched on the bow of the Emirates Team New Zealand AC45 continually scanning the course ahead for the next indication of best breeze.
“It was certainly a day to keep your head out of the boat, the conditions were extremely testing out there.”
“Other than the third race we sailed pretty well.” said Davies referring to the last official race of the day where, after rounding the bottom mark Emirates Team New Zealand found themselves on the wrong side of a very big wind shift that left them fighting an uphill battle once all of the pressure made a hasty shift to the right hand side of the course.
“It was wobbly third race but we are third overall at the end of the day, just one point from second and five points off the lead. So we are pretty happy because it was a really tricky day and to be in touch with the lead with double points on offer tomorrow we are certainly in the mix to finish the regatta strongly which was our goal at the beginning of the day.”
“Overall we made gains on both Oracle and Land Rover BAR, so that certainly is a step in the right direction with our overall objective in mind.”
With similar conditions forecast for ‘Super Sunday’ and three double points races scheduled, there are still plenty of points on offer and the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series Toulon regatta remains wide open.
Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series Toulon Leaderboard
Position – Team - (Race Finish Positions) – Total Points
1. Artemis Racing (1, 1, 3) – 28 points
2. Groupama Team France (4, 3, 2)– 24 points
3. Emirates Team New Zealand (2, 2, 6) – 23 points
4. ORACLE TEAM USA (3, 5, 4) – 21 points
5. Land Rover BAR (6, 6, 1) – 20 points
6. SoftBank Team Japan (5, 4, 5) – 19 points
Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series Overall Leaderboard
1. Land Rover BAR – 387 points
2. ORACLE TEAM USA – 387 points
3. Emirates Team New Zealand – 380 points
4. SoftBank Team Japan – 347 points
5. Artemis Racing – 343 points
6. Groupama Team France – 316 points
The Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series Toulon will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sports NZ
Day 2: LIVE from 12:30am Monday 12th September on SKY Sport 5
REPLAY 7:00am Monday 12th September on SKY Sport 2
