KEY POINTS:
Well Team New Zealand are into the final of the Louis Vuitton Cup.
They got there by beating the Spanish in helter skelter sailing conditions this morning. The waves were pounding, the wind blowing.
Just the kind of conditions Kiwis love, just the kind of conditions our kids grow up sailing P-Class yachts in.
Dean Barker won the match at the start boxing the Spanish out. It was a good aggressive start for him and is a good start to end on before heading into the final against Luna Rossa.
The New Zealanders powered over the line well ahead and extended on every leg.
The only concern for Team New Zealand in the race was the injury to bowman Jeremy Lomas who was hanging on to the spinnaker and big wave came whipping a bit of skin off his finger. But it appears he is okay.
Team New Zealand have come out of the semis in good shape. We went into this thing thinking Spain were easy opponents but they have turned out to be formidable opponents - when you come to Spain to sail the Spanish they are usually very good.
I think this team is the same. They were very comfortable in their own environment. I think it was a good reality check for the Kiwis.
It was also interesting to see how they reacted to their losses. That was to come back pretty ruthlessly both times and take the Spanish apart.
So it is on to the final against Luna Rossa, What a match that will be.
COMMENTS
Rod HarveyIn opening the real treasure chest of this international yachting competition - at battles end when the guns have cooled and feats of derring-do immortalised - I think what we'll all take away with us is the incredibly good press, the camaraderie of the crews and the fascination of even better design on the high seas.
Kiwi Bob of BrisbaneGreat win in semi-final but very predictable.
Now for the battles from June 2nd against Luna Rossa with James Spithill at the helm. Do you know that the Australians are so out of touch with this event that no newspaper or TV station acknowledged Luna Rossa's Aussie helmsman's feat in defeating the much touted heavy weight BMW Oracle until I sent an email to Channel Seven. This was acknowledged on the 'Sunrise' morning show's sports segment along with the comments that Spithill's prowess should perhaps be noticed and nurtured by Australian yachting's big guns. James Packer was mentioned as a possible future sponsor.
It would be great if he could pick up the mantle of his Grandfather Sir Frank who repeatedly challenged the Americans during the 1960's with 'Gretel' and what a final it would be in 2011 if Australia was racing New Zealand in Auckland.
Kiwisailor, AucklandCongratulations on actually getting the early morning result of the semi final onto the front of your print edition! Wish TVNZ could provide an evening time slot somewhere for those who don't want to get up at 1am, and can't afford to delay the commute to watch a 7am replay.
John Rudd
Well done NZ team getting into the finals.
My comment is we are having some problems with getting sailors injured and some errors in sail settings e.g. race 6. Guess its sign of THE pressure. So could be a concern. Your comments some time Julie.
And when do you get to go as No. 18?
Drew - Brisbane
To enjoy the thrill of the highs, you have to experience the lows. NZ is developing a checkered American Cup history. What a wild ride. Go hard guys and bring the dame cup home.
Kiwi USA
Way to go team New Zealand. Makes me proud to be a kiwi living in the USA for the last 20 years. Top job Well done.
John, AucklandGood on you boys. At last NZ is waking up to the fact that we could just get the Americas cup back and extract our revenge.
What a great and stupendous thing for Auckland, thanks to Dean Barker, manager Grant Dalton and the boys, and to the sponsors and government who are really getting payback for their support. We're all behind you in the early hours of the morning. Great sailing and commentary fro Peter Lester, Pete Montgomery and all.
Ian MorineGo Team NZ !
I think, if we can beat the Italians in the final, and that won't be an easy task as they have improved considerably since the heats, I am now becoming much more confident that we can win the Americas Cup itself.
Team NZ and Luna Rosa have both improved throughout this regatta, whereas the Swiss are standing still and I think that will work to our "considerable" advantage, if we can beat the Italians!!
All the very best.
