Emirates Team NZ Update - Second place after Day 2

February 21 2014

Emirates Team New Zealand update - Second place after Day 2 at Singapore

Emirates Team New Zealand has advanced to second overall in the Extreme Sailing Series Singapore regatta.

After two days of racing Dean Barker and crew (Glenn Ashby, James Dagg, Jeremy Lomas and Edwin Delaat) are on 90 points, 21 behind Alinghi and six ahead of third, The Wave, Muscat.

Six races were completed in trying conditions. In complete contrast to the first day’s gentle 4-10 knots, today’s breeze went from three knots to testing gusts to 24 knots.

Dean Barker was much happier with the day’s performance. “We left the dock with a simple game plan: avoid the shockers that we had yesterday.”

It worked. The team is adapting quickly to the stadium format of the series with a string of mid-fleet finishes and a win in the fourth race of the day.

They may have lifted their overall placing from fourth to second but with two days of racing to go, Barker concedes anything could happen. “We have given ourselves a good chance but we have two tough days ahead.”
The Wave is only six point adrift and chasing hard are Groupama and Realstone on 81 points. JP Morgan BAR is sixth on 80 points.

Realstone, the overnight leader, was in collision with Oman Air. With a damaged rudder and a hole in the hull and in danger of sinking they finished the race. Realstone retired for the day and Oman Air managed to patch a hole in the bow and completed the day. Both yachts need repairs overnight.

Extreme Sailing Series™ 2014 Act 1, Singapore
Standings after Day 2, 15 races
1st Alinghi (SUI 111 points.
2nd Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) 90 points.
3rd The Wave, Muscat (OMA) 84 points.
4th Groupama sailing team (FRA) 81 points,
5th Realstone (SUI) 81 points.
6th J.P. Morgan BAR (GBR) 80 points.
7th SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN) 73 points.
8th Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) 71 points.
9th Oman Air (OMA) 61 points.
10th Gazprom Team Russia (RUS) 56 points.
11th GAC Pindar (AUS) 32 points.
12th Team Aberdeen Singapore (SIN) 31 points.

ENDS

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