KEY POINTS:
"Go Deano," they bellowed as the black boat eased its way down the canal out to the race course.
I know we harped on about yesterday, but the amount of support Team New Zealand have here in Valencia is really incredible.
The good thing about them is that they are both colourful and loud. There have even been new tee-shirts created which read valeNZia.
It must give the guys a huge boast sailing out.
Well, today's race started off in an interesting manner.
Luna Rossa controlled the start with the starboard entry. The New Zealanders scrambled. They got what was left and they got the right.
Team New Zealand were actually bow back at the line but what was relevant was how quick they accelerated. As they crossed the line Team New Zealand were two knots slower.
Within a boat length and a half they were up to speed. That is either incredibly acceleration or as they came off the line they got pressure. It was probably a bit of both but it was pretty good acceleration off the line. They are down playing their speed but they were quick all day.
Three nil up, the Kiwis are in a good spot. It is going to be hard for Luna Rossa to come back. Their boat is a tad off the pace.
COMMENTS
kiwicafe
I believe all the negativity that was aimed at Dean Barker has made him only dig deeper, now the task is to continue the focus, all the pressure is now on Jamie Spithill and he will be wanting to prove a point. It is great to see two young Anzacs battling it out on the World Stage. In these days of negative press it is great to see the next generation is a positive light.
Go Deano!
Alan Sorrell
Peter,
We are enjoying your commentary. I wondered about the suggestions by the TVNZ team last night that Luna Rossa could have come over to TNZ shortly after the start. It seemed they were immediately disadvantaged by the side they were left with?
We also appreciate the continuation of the positive attitude towards the Luna Rossa team who we all enjoyed when they were in NZ.
Ray from Auckland
I watched the first 3 races, from midnight to 3AM, have had no proper sleep, but that's fine..."Go Deano..."
Keith Levy
Fantastic guys. Keep it up! Love the new flag! If you can dream it - you can do it!
Main Lander
As great as it is to have a contingent of enthusiastic Kiwis here to support the boys from home attempting to bring the cup back to NZ, the reality of what I saw last night was a pack of drunken yobs hardly able to stand let alone convey ambassadorial qualities.
Not quite the legacy of Sir Peter Blake in action.
They may wear red socks but the behavior on display is somewhat akin to our own opinions of the "poor cousins" across the ditch at their worst.
United Arab Emirates
As I have been watching with great interest Emirates Team New Zealand through all stages. It looks like we are powering ahead to take out the LV Cup. I am a Kiwi living in Dubai and as you can imagine they have great TV coverage of the cup here. Go Kiwis, bring home The Americas Cup.
Mike of Manukau
I see the Europeans are starting to whine at the prospect of a Kiwi win in the Americas Cup.
Far too many sports venues are denied to the rest of the world because Europeans and Americans are greedy and petulant when it comes to holding these competitions outside Europe or the USA.
Sport must find a way to fund or otherwise hold the big events in more nations across the world or the sports themselves will suffer.
I applaud A1GP for their insight but condemn the money motivations behind the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Formula 1, Moto GP and the America's Cup.
Sport does not belong to Europe and the USA and unless less wealthy countries are given equal opportunity to host such events, sport will become a farce.
