Peter Burling’s Emirates Team New Zealand, after beating Sweden’s Artemis 2-1 in their three games on the day, has been a single victory (4-2) to win the Louis Vuitton Cup – Challenger Tournament – and be in the grand final of the 35th Copa América.
The first leg of the day fell from the Swedish side after a great start and better Swedish speed, which reached the fourth of the seven sections of the route with 26 seconds of advantage, avoiding the direct confrontation with the New Zealanders.
In the fifth stage, Nathan Outteridge has ‘nailed’ the bow of the ACC50 and this mistake has taken Peter Burling to cut distances and reach the last leg with only eight seconds apart. At that moment Iain Percy, tactician of the Artemis ordered direct course to goal in the last section to win by 15 seconds.
The tie was equalized (2-2) and Burling again used Van Velthooven’s relay by Carlo Huisman, to give more power to his ‘tandem cyclist’ on board.
It was a masterpiece and, after the initial dominance Nordic, the New Zealand, very aggressive, with chilling crosses on his rival, were placed leaders at the end of the third section with 13 seconds of advantage.
And if Percu opted for the direct course, without turning in the final stretch of the previous round, now Glenn Ashby ordered the same to Burling and extended the advantage.
Perhaps a technical problem in the direction of ‘Artemis’ made him lose speed and with 39 seconds of disadvantage, Outteridge chose not to risk and retire.
‘Artemis’ could repair his breakdown and take the start in the third and last round of the day, but Team New Zealand’s tactic was to pressure his rival and force him to maneuver. In the second buoy of the route the New Zealanders were ahead; The Swedes would advance in the third and the boat of Burling entered the final section with 13 seconds of advantage.
Here came the biggest Swedish speed tip, scoring second after second to his rival and reaching the goal with less than a second difference, but Team New Zealand crossed first and the protest of the Norse or illegal maneuver of its rival Was dismissed.
Peter Burling’s agonizing triumph that puts him 4-2 and closer to bringing New Zealand to his seventh Copa América final, which he won in 1995 and 2000.
Final Cup Louis Vuitton results second round
(With six matches played)
Artemis (SWE) wins Emirates Team New Zealand for 15 “(2-2)
Emirates Team New Zealand wins Artemis (SWE) by withdrawal (3-2)
Emirates Team New Zealand wins Artemis (SWE) for 1 “(4-2)
Sorting after six sleeves
Emirates Team New Zealand- Artemis Racing (SWE) 4-2.
