The conditions clearly did not suit America’s Cup champions Oracle Team USA, as the Tom Slingsby skippered 13.4m catamaran craft went into the regatta trailing Ainslee by a single point but has now dropped 14 behind.
Advertisement
Tactician Ray Davies spent the day perched on the bow of the Emirates Team New Zealand AC45 continually scanning the course ahead for the next indication of best breeze.
Nathan Outteridge’s Artemis Racing followed up on Saturday’s form to clinch victory in the penultimate leg of the America’s Cup World Series at Toulon on Sunday.
The mishap came two days after another World Cup-winning former All Black, Ma’a Nonu, was involved in a training crash while a guest on board Team NZ.
“It was wobbly third race but we are third overall at the end of the day, just one point from second and five points off the lead”.
The British boat finished third in the weekend standings to pick up 70 points as their chief rivals and defending champions Oracle Team USA finished last of the six contenders with 57 points. “I can say though that we will certainly be going for the win in the last round and the overall series, so let’s see what happens”.
Dean Barker’s Team Japan had a good regatta to finish second and Ainslie, despite the hiccup with the Kiwis, finished third to retain their overall lead in the series.
Advertisement
An incident in the final race entailed series leaders British BAR colliding with Team NZ and incurring a penalty. Emirates Team New Zealand (2, 2, 6, 5, 6, 2) – 63 points 6. Land Rover BAR – 437 points 2. Artemis Racing – 391 points 6.
