Hydraulics Problem Costs Kiwis A Race

By Warren Douglas, Emirates Team New Zealand

San Francisco (August 18, 2013) – An electronics problem disabled the hydraulics system on board Emirates Team New Zealand’s AC72 today, bringing the boat to a halt at the third mark of the second race in the Louis Vuitton Cup final.

Without hydraulics the crew can operate neither the wing or the daggerboards. Leading Luna Rossa by a relatively comfortable 400 metres at the time, Dean Barker and crew could only watch as Luna Rossa closed the gap, rounded the mark and sailed away.

With a 2.3-knot ebb tide taking the disabled yacht towards the Golden Gate bridge, technicians were summoned. They climbed on board and had the problem fixed in a few of minutes. The assistance, though meant the team had to retire from the race, handing the point to Luna Rossa.

With the hydraulics working, Dean Barker and crew prepared for the third race of the final. The start was delayed because the breeze was over the limit and then postponed until tomorrow.

Grant Dalton said today’s problem was not connected with the dunking the boat received in yesterday’s nosedive. “Today we had a good start. The boat was going well and we were well clear. Conditions were good, everyone was focused and settled in. We need a couple of good races tomorrow and put today behind us.”