Yachting: Barker takes the blame for Alinghi thrashing

Alinghi lead Team New Zealand yesterday. Picture / Reuters

TRAPANI - A disappointed Dean Barker yesterday found himself explaining yet another loss to the invincible Alinghi in the fifth day of the America's Cup pre-regatta in Trapani, Sicily.
Following their epic win over Oracle, Emirates Team New Zealand were touted as the ones with the best chance of ending Alinghi's 30-race unbeaten record.

But it was game over at the start as Alinghi accelerated over the line almost a boat-length ahead.

"I am completely at fault for that," Barker said.

"I had a shocker and can't afford to start like that against a boat that we know is at least equal - more than likely faster.

"It is just the sort of thing you like to forget, really."

Going into the match, Team New Zealand talked about how their crew work needed to be flawless to beat the Swiss syndicate.

But it seems the message did not compute - Team New Zealand's normally slick crew work went out the window.

Alinghi gained the favoured side of the startline and powered over the line 4 seconds ahead.

Although they trailed Alinghi up the first beat, Team New Zealand were still in the hunt. But a sloppy spinnaker hoist at the top mark and then a trawled spinnaker at the bottom mark ended what chance they had.

With Ed Baird at the helm and Brad Butterworth calling tactics, Alinghi killed Team New Zealand up the last beat, sailing higher and possibly tuning in to a bit more breeze.

Rounding the last mark 52s ahead, Alinghi gained 51 seconds on the last run to win by 1m 43s.

The loss was a demoralising blow for Team New Zealand and once again highlights the significant gap between the defender and the challengers.

It was a tough day for the teams off the coast of Trapani, with rain, wind, thunder and lightning all making an appearance.

In their other race of the day, Team New Zealand beat China by 35s. They were scheduled to race Spain and Luna Rossa overnight in the final day of the regatta, while Oracle and Alinghi battled it out for the match-racing title. The three-day fleet racing regatta starts on Friday.