Emirates Team New Zealand held its nerve under pressure on Saturday, the last day of the MedCup regatta at Cagliari, Sardinia, winning its second successive regatta in the series.
Starting the day with a paper thin 4.5-point overall lead, Emirates Team New Zealand took a third, first and a second to win by 14.5 points.
Before leaving the dock, Grant Dalton, Emirates Team New Zealand’s Managing Director, said they were hoping for a better breeze, saying the team was just hanging on after Friday’s unpredictable light and shifty breeze had made for difficult sailing.
The team got its wish when the mistral breeze returned, building to 20 knots as the day progressed.
Skipper Dean Barker and crew again showed the patience and composure that has become their trademark on the MedCup circuit.
Dalton said, “We were a little nervous going into the last day as we have had a few mixed results in the light air over the previous three days.
“We started the day just 4.5 points in front, and ended it with 14.5 points. It was a pretty good day, made better because our main opposition had ordinary days.
“It had been a stressful regatta. But today we fired up, while the others failed. I put this down to the mental state of the guys. When it gets tough, it shows.
“We didn’t crack under pressure while people were cracking around us, but that is just the way we sail.â€
Emirates Team New Zealand arrived in Cagliari with a series lead of 16 points and leaves with a buffer of 32.5 points. Matador is second overall and Quantum, the defending Med Cup champion, third.
The next regatta in the series takes place in Portugal on the 18th – 23rd August.
