Final preview: Emirates Team New Zealand versus Azzurra
The Petite Final features TeamOrigin against Synergy
The final of the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Côte d’Azur sees Emirates Team New Zealand racing Azzurra.
The pair has raced before only once in this regatta and Team New Zealand scored a 35-second win on 10 Nov. Team New Zealand comes into the round with an 11-2 record on the water and Azzurra at 9-5.
Like the semis the winner will be the first to score 2 points (barring penalties and jury decisions). In the first match Azzurra enters the start box on starboard tack and aboard ITA-99. Team New Zealand will sail ITA-90.
“Azzurra’s sailing really well,” said Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker. “They’re fast, they’re starting well. They get in front and don’t give many opportunities.”
Azzurra skipper Francesco Bruni likes the calmer conditions expected this afternoon, in contrast to yesterday’s strong winds and big waves.
“I think that we, as Italians, are used to sailing in lighter wind. We all know that,” said Bruni. “I think that we were driving the boat fast today as trimmer and skipper. Also the acceleration on the start line and how the boat reacts in turns, we’re just more confident in those conditions.”
The first race of the Final will be held this afternoon. Subsequent races are scheduled for tomorrow. A warning signal isn’t expected before 1300 CET.
The Petite Final between TeamOrigin and Synergy will be the first start this afternoon. It’ll be a one race match with the winner placing third and the vanquished finishing fourth.
“Not making the final is very disappointing,” said TeamOrigin General Manager Mike Sanderson. “We put a lot more effort into this regatta than we did Auckland. We were here to win and to win it you need to get to final. I’d be lying if I said not making the final was a big disappointment.”
In an interesting development, TeamOrigin chose to race FRA-93 in this match as opposed to its own GBR-75. Synergy skipper Karol Jablonski thinks he knows why.
“We’re looking forward to the last race in this very, very good event for us. We’ll see what we get out of it,” said Jablonski. “For sure 93 is faster in light wind. That’s why Origin chose this boat. Normally they would choose their own boat. Obviously, they know 93 is much faster. So we’ll have a tough time out there. In flat water and 7 knots, 93 is much, much faster.”
