Barker wins NZ Match Racing Championship (27/11/05)
(source
: RNZYS)
Emirates Team New Zealand helmsman
Dean Barker sailed into today’s finals with a clear
lead over the competition.
Barker selected to race 22 year old Simon Minoprio
(Vision Yachting). This left BMW Oracle racing skipper
Chris Dickson to sail Cameron Appleton (K-Challenge).
In the first race Barker beat Minoprio by 35 seconds,
but in the second race Minoprio lead from start
to finish taking the win by 9 seconds. Race 3 and
the winner would go through to the finals.
It was a tough battle right from the start, with
Minoprio leading Barker to the top mark for the
first time. Minoprio then picked up a penalty for
hitting the top mark. At the top mark for the last
time Minoprio had a 5 boat length advantage and
there were numerous gybes and luffs on the run as
Minoprio tried to clear his penalty by getting one
on Barker.
Coming into the Committee Boat Barker got the inside
and was able to sneak home as Minoprio completed
his penalty turn on the line. This secured a finals
place for Barker & crew.
In the other semi final Dickson bet Appleton twice
to secure his spot in the finals.
In the petit final Appleton beat Minoprio by 12
seconds in the first race and 6 seconds in the second
to secure 3rd place for the regatta.
In the finals Dickson & Barker went head to head
for 5 straight matches leaving the decider to the
5th and final match.
The lead changed numerous times but Barker sailed
home to win the final race by 12 seconds and the
New Zealand championships for the 3rd time.
Following his 3rd place, Appleton will be invited
to fill the last available spot in the International
Sailing Federation-sanctioned and grade one Auckland
Match Racing Cup, which will take place between
ten skippers and their crews on the Waitemata Harbour
across five days beginning January 25. Barker and
Dickson have already been invited to take part.
