Team NZ takes points in farcical first race
‘Win’ was like a practice day for Kiwi skipper reports Duncan Johnstone. Team New Zealand took little pleasure out of their ‘‘solo’’ victory in the America’s Cup opener yesterday as the regatta remains bogged down in protest action that has Italian syndicate Luna Rossa sidelined on principles.
The Kiwis voiced their frustration throughout an opening day of the challengers’ schedule that saw them forced to sail by themselves.
Before the ‘‘race’’ even started Team New Zealand boss Grant Dalton had a crack on the main stage at the cup village in San Francisco.
‘‘I respect what Luna Rossa are doing, but Christ almighty, this is a boat race,’’ Dalton said when quizzed about the farcical circumstances about to unfold.
Then in the middle of an impressive blast around the course, the team tweeted: ‘‘Half way through race 1. No surprises to be leading in a race with ourselves.’’
On their return to land, Dalton likened the action to ‘‘kissing your sister . . . [there’s] nothing in it’’.
When skipper Dean Barker was asked if it felt like a victory, he replied: ‘‘No. For us it’s just another day of practice in terms of getting better for the knockout stages in August.’’
And therein lies Team New Zealand’s decision to not only go out and race yesterday but demand the longer racing course when regatta director Iain Murray offered them a shorter version to reduce everyone’s embarrassment.
‘‘We won’t get sick of that, simply because it’s good training for us,’’ Dalton said.
‘‘Hopefully that’s the last day of it in terms of Luna Rossa anyway.’’ Time will tell on that matter. The Kiwis will certainly have to race by themselves tomorrow to get the championship point against the absent Artemis Racing who are trying to get their second boat ready for action.
There’s no guarantee Luna Rossa will sail solo on Friday when the schedule had them down to face Artemis. The next race after that is Sunday between the Kiwis and Italians.
But if the jury doesn’t make a ruling quickly on the rudder protests lodged by Luna Rossa and Team New Zealand who see the introduction of design changes
Team New Zealand sails solo near the Golden Gate Bridge yesterday in its opening Louis Vuitton Cup race after Luna Rossa pulled out in protest. Photo: Getty Images under the safety banner as illegal, then more chaos looms.
‘‘We will wait till the jury comes out [with their decision] and then we will make our plan,’’ Luna Rossa skipper Max Sirena said yesterday, emphasising that was the right order for them to proceed. They don’t want to be seen to be endorsing the current rulings by competing under them.
Like everyone, he wants a quick resolution. ‘‘We didn’t come here for a fashion show or anything like that.
‘‘Our goal and our dream is to be out on the water racing.’’
At least the Kiwis got a taste of the course and pushing their work in winds of 13-17 knots yesterday.
They got around the 16 nautical mile course in 46 minutes, 27 seconds, hitting a top speed of 42.8 knots and averaging 20-7 knots.
They lifted on to their foils instantly after crossing the start line and drew praise from commentators and observers.
The only hiccup appeared to be double jibe to readjust their line heading into the final mark before turning to dash to the finish line.
‘‘You never finish a race in one of these boats and think it’s all gone perfect.
‘‘We made a couple of mistakes today but it was good to get out and go through the paces,’’ Barker said.
‘‘We actually enjoy it when it’s windier, then you really start ripping downwind and can pull off some slick jibes.’’