Team New Zealand and Desafio Espanol race during their second semi-final. Photo / Reuters
Well it was another good day of racing in Valencia. The sun was shining, although it was a little cool, the wind was blowing. And blowing in a much more civilised manner unlike yesterday where it was all over the show.
Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker dominated
the start in their match against the Spanish. They basically won the start, won the first cross and won the match. They are now 2-0 up.
The other race between Luna Rossa and Oracle was far more intriguing. Luna Rossa helmsman James Spithill was brilliant at the start absolutely clearing Chris Dickson out. The action got over to the right by the committee boat. Oracle set up above the layline, Luna Rossa set up to leeward of the layline and then shut the gate. There was nowhere for Oracle to go.
However, Oracle came back and ran them down on the final run. Some of it was speed, some of shifts. Chris Dickson did well to defend his small lead to the finish.
The strategy of Luna Rossa seems to be to sail their own race. Some of that is probably tactician Torben Grael, that is his style. But some of it might be if we are to beat these guys we have to sail from point A to point B as quick as we can. They don't want to get in a boat speed race with them. Oracle are faster.
And in Dancing With The Stars news... No, not the New Zealand show, the Spanish one. So good are the "stars" that you are never really too sure who is the pro and who is the "celeb". Not sure that could ever be said about the NZ version.
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