HARD TIME IN THE BAY

EMIRATES TEAM NEW ZEALAND - Is taking time to get into its groove racing the AC45 at the America’s Cup World Series Regatta at San Francisco. After an indifferent first race day for the team – an eighth and a ninth in the two fleet races – skipper Dean Barker is looking for better over the next three days.

“Today we were far from our best. We know only too well that if we don’t get a good start and if we are not in good shape at the first mark, it’s difficult to make opportunities on a one-way course. We got to the first mark back in the pack today and we fought to pick up a place here and there but there was no way through.”

There are three days to go and the final fleet race carries extra points our times the points – the winner getting 40.

“Our aim is to get to the start-line on Sunday in good shape.”