Emirates Team New Zealand update - Barker leads at Istanbul

Emirates Team New Zealand leads the fleet after four days of the Istanbul regatta in the 2011 Extreme Sailing Series.

With a day to go, Dean Barker and crew have a four-point lead over second-placed Artemis.

Lloyd Images/Extreme Sailing Series
Only 13 points separate the top five boats after 33 races at Istanbul.

Ten races were staged, starting with one-on-one speed duals and finishing after eight closely-fought fleet races. The breeze started at around 10 knots with stronger gusts – perfect conditions for the speed duals – then softened through the afternoon.

Barker and crew Jeremy Lomas, Glenn Ashby and James Dagg go into the final day knowing full well they will need a really good day on the water to stay on top.

Barker: “There’s no question that in this type of racing teams can have very mixed results. There are no form guides, no certainties. Every team aims for consistent top-five results and to avoid the shockers.... but the reality is no one can control their own destiny.

“We go out there to do what you can and hope no other team puts together a string of good races. We are sailing better and better but we never come off the water feeling like we have had a good day, we feel that we are just surviving.”

“Tomorrow we won’t try to protect a small lead. We will have to deal with what we get ... there will be seven or eight races and we will sail aggressively again with the aim of having another good, consistent day.”

The weather for the final day is expected to be softer – another difficult day on the water.

Extreme Sailing Series Act 3 Istanbul
Current overall standings after Day 4 (28.5.11)
1st Emirates Team New Zealand 228 points
2nd Artemis Racing (SWE), 224 points
3rd The Wave, Muscat (OMA), 218 points
4th Groupe Edmond de Rothschild (FRA), 217 points
5th Luna Rossa (ITA), 215 points
6th Red Bull Extreme Sailing (AUT), 187 points
7th Team Extreme (EUR), 177.6 points
8th Oman Air (OMA), 170 points
9th Alinghi (SUI), 161 points
10th Team GAC Pindar (GBR),160 points
11th Niceforyou (ITA), 153 points

© Scoop Media