Emirates Team New Zealand by 3:20 / America’s Cup

Luna Rossa Challenge says that its boatspeed and crew work is improving, but the Italians still can’t find a way to crack Emirates Team New Zealand. The Kiwis today completed a sweep of their one-time training partners in the round robin portion of the Louis Vuitton Cup, the America’s Cup Challenger Series.

With skipper Dean Barker back on the helm after yesterday’s breather, the Kiwi team grabbed the lead on the first reach leg and never looked back. The Kiwis led by 7 seconds at the first turning mark, 35 seconds at the second turning mark and 1:35 at the third turning mark en route to a 3:20 victory.

Today’s win was the team’s ninth in nine starts, of which four were contested races. Earlier this week Emirates Team New Zealand clinched victory in the round robin, which gives the team the option of advancing to the Louis Vuitton Cup Final or choosing its opponent for the semifinal round.

The Kiwis are expected to announce their decision at a press conference scheduled for 3:30 pm PT. The conference will be streamed live globally on the America’s Cup YouTube channel.

Today’s performance data

• Course: Seven legs
• Course length: 15.27 nautical miles
• Elapsed time: ETNZ – 45:05; LR – 48:26
• Total distance sailed: ETNZ – 18.29 NM; LR – 19.75 NM
• Average speed: ETNZ – 25.21 knots (29 mph); LR – 24.5 knots (28 mph)
• Top speed: ETNZ – 42.76 knots (49 mph); LR – 39.55 knots (45 mph)
• Wind speed: average 15.3 knots; peak gust 19.6 knots