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Louis Vuitton Trophy

Kiwis Victorious at Louis Vuitton Trophy Dubai

Grant Dalton : "The Oracle guys are a class act and they sailed really well"

dimanche 28 novembre 2010Redaction SSS [Source RP]

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Racing in its second home, Emirates Team New Zealand won the Louis Vuitton Trophy Dubai, defeating the USA’s BMW Oracle Racing in two straight races.

Today’s victory concluded an incredible performance by the team from Auckland, New Zealand, which over two years won four of five Louis Vuitton Trophy events and finished second in the other.

Adding extra luster to their performance, Dean Barker and his Kiwi team came from behind to win their last four races in Dubai, including the two today against BMW Oracle Racing, the outstanding performer during two weeks of match racing off the Dubai International Marine Marine Marine nationale Club.

Today also saw the announcement that Louis Vuitton Malletier will continue its sponsorship of the America’s Cup America's Cup #AmericasCup and challengers for the Cup.

“We are thrilled to announce today the continuation of our 30-year partnership with the America’s Cup America's Cup #AmericasCup . Having met with the organizing team several times, we believe that the 34th edition will be the best America’s Cup yet,” said Yves Carcelle, Chairman and CEO of Louis Vuitton Malletier.

The finish gun today signaled the end of 20 years of competition in the America’s Cup, Louis Vuitton Cup and Louis Vuitton Trophy for the International America’s Cup Class. Introduced 20 years ago, the boats competed in five America’s Cup events.

Serenaded by boat horns and sirens the Kiwi crew were hugging, cheering and hi-fiving for a minute and a half before the American boat finished.

As Yves Carcelle boarded their boat with the obligatory celebratory magnums and jeroboams of Moët & Chandon champagne, the New Zealanders hoisted a giant national ensign in their foretriangle.

“It’s been a tough couple of weeks,” said Grant Dalton, the managing director of Emirates Team New Zealand who also races on the boat, his normally serious face split by a huge smile.

“We kinda saved our best ‘til last. Oracle have been the form boat for the whole regatta. We came out today with determination knowing that on our day we are good enough but we would really need to produce. The guys in the back of the boat did a real nice job today. The Oracle guys are a class act and they sailed really well.

“It was shifty today. Both times we got the side we wanted and bless me, it went the other way. It happens a bit that way. We launched in that first race straight into a great big right shift. It wasn’t our intention. But we never let go. It’s a hallmark of this side.”

Asked about the secret to his team’s success, Dalton said : “It’s a team that lives on the smell of an oily rag. Everyone buys into the culture and the way we operate. We’re not frivolous at all. You can’t spend a hundred dollars without a requisition order for me. And in a funny sort of way that helps to build our culture.

“We’re proud that we represent New Zealand and we’re good mates. We’ve built that over the years. It takes a long time to get those combinations. Its jelling for us now. In the new era if we can hold onto that culture, and we will and we can, we can take it into our new projects.”

James Spithill said : “We’re obviously disappointed. Ripping a spinnaker and having a problem when it didn’t hoist, helped put us on the back foot. But full credit to Team New Zealand. They did a good job and all we can do is take our hats off to them.”

- Info presse World Sailing Teams Association


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Louis Vuitton Trophy : Emirates TNZL wins Auckland’s trophy

America’s Cup : Multi or big mono : you are undecided

33rd America’s Cup : Larry Ellison : "I’m really proud"

33rd America’s Cup : Ernesto Bertarelli : "We exit with our head high"


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