NAMs Team Racing
Race Day 3 ( teams racing)
Well what day it was today - Racing started at mid day with a breeze ranging from 15 to 20knots, a big chop, and bitterly cold, not ideal conditions for teams racing. Racing began with NZ up against Uruguay - Uruguay did not show for this race so it was a win by default. This meant that our team did not race until the second round leaving them sitting in tough nasty conditions. Unfortunately the draw had us racing against the top ranked racing team of Ecuador and this was always going a hard fort match. We raced well only just losing in the last seconds of the race.
Race three - Argentina 3 - this race was easy going in the 22 knot breeze with the kiwis controlling the start and winning 1,2,3,4.
The breeze started to blow up, so the racing was delayed and the teams were direct to shore with AP over H. Arriving at shore they were all freezing cold and glad of the shelter from the wind. While searching for some food and something hot the Bermuda team manager arrived at our camp with a cast of hot chocolate - this was just awesome, thanks to Ron Stan.
At 3.30pm the AP was taken down and the sailors not impressed - they were not keen to go back onto the water - heading to the launching ramp they were dragging their feet.
Race 4 - Argentina 2 - The breeze had now dropped a little and the teams racing had started to become a little bit more competitive, with the team not looking good Nick pulled the great mark trap, and we went on to win with a 1,3,5,7
After the buzz of winning this race the kiwi team were on fire and reved up for their next race against Argentina 1 the top seeds. They started well with positions changing through the first beat, but a great reach and run from NZ set them up for a tight victory.
It is just so hard to express in words the elation from our team and coach after beating this team - they were just so ecstatic. They were PUMPED going into the semi finals
Up against Japan and it was all over from the get go, all eight sailors were OSC with only Trent and Eliza returning, this set NZ up for the first ever final. The shore crew were starting to sweat - there was a challenge set by the coach that if we won Kerrie and Pete would swim with ONLY the nation flag out the race area for the team. Put it this way - we didn't have any swimming suits.
The Finals - Race One and two saw the best teams racing of the day. Both teams raced well and with some tightly contested battles, many position changes and plenty of red flags it was definitely unclear and the end of both races as to who was the actual winner. Unlucky for NZ Ecuador managed to seal the win.
As you can well imagine Ecuador were elated, as this win was big for them with their fine teams racing history. They enjoyed the traditional ritual of up turning their boats and flying the flag with pride.
Although with losing, reality set in for the kiwi team that they were the first NZ team to ever make a final, it was amazing to see the support and congratulations from judges, officials and other teams.
The kids were not off the water till 7.00pm after which we all headed out for a celebration dinner at Lone Star.
Results
Race One NZL vs Uruguay win
Race Two NZL vs Ecuador loss
Race Three NZL vs Argentina 3 win
Race Four NZL vs Argentina 2 win
Quarter final NZL vs Argentina 1 win
Semi final NZL vs Japan win
Final NZl vs Ecuador loss
