Team NZ smashes Luna Rossa in first head-to-head race
NZ tech entrepreneurs out in support.
Team NZ has easily won its first head-to-head race in the Louis Vuitton Chup, finishing 5 minutes 23 seconds ahead of Luna Rossa.
"There are a lot of boats out here on the water watching the race, and we can see big crowds on the water front," Kiwi LandingPad director Catherine Robinson told NBR ONLINE from San Francisco, where she was out on the harbour with Paul Cameron, CEO of NZ startup Booktrack. The Kiwi contingent also included Jamie Sutherland, who heads Xero's US operation.
"The city has been waiting for a race day and a reason to come out, support the America's Cup regatta and party. A lot of Kiwis are here supporting."
Cup rules require the second-placed boat to finish within five minutes of the winner, meaning the Italians technically did not complete the race.
Team NZ won a tacking duel in the two-minute build-up to the start of the race, with skipper Dean Barker gaining an immediate 10 seconds over the Italians.
Luna Rossa never caught up. At times, Team NZ extended its lead up to 2km as both boats topped 38 knot speeds.
The win came just before 8am Sunday NZ time.
The race was the third time Team NZ has collected points following Luna Rossa and Artemis Racing's no-shows last week. The two syndicates are back on the water after an international jury upheld a Team NZ and Luna Rossa challenge to design rule changes.
Team NZ's next race will be its first head-to-head matchup against Artemis on Friday NZ time. Each team will race 10 times in the round robin America's Cup challenger series (see race schedule here).
NBR staff
Sun, 14 Jul 2013
Sun, 14 Jul 2013
© All content copyright NBR. Do not reproduce in any form without permission, even if you have a paid subscription.
Team NZ smashes Luna Rossa in first head-to-head race
30792