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Team NZ in Med Cup - Source: Chris Cameron Photography -
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Emirates Team New Zealand showed its true fighting spirit today but not until the racing was over.
The ferocious scrapping was carried out back in the Spanish port of Cartage and the most determined were those trying to avoid being thrown in the harbour to celebrate a quite remarkable MedCup series win.
First Dean Barker struggled gamely to avoid a compulsory dip, but was no match for a couple of grinders who soon tossed him in. After that it was all on.
Most reluctant and putting up the biggest fight was the team boss, Grant Dalton, swimming not being his favourite pastime. But he managed to force a grin on his face as he swam back to the boat and then set about ensuring those who'd wrestled him in got their just and damp desserts.
Trimmer James Dagge tried to hide below decks but he was flushed out from his hiding place where, as Dalton said, he was "wedged like a possum".
The celebratory antics were hugely justified. Victory here in Spain could hardly have been more emphatic with three wins, two seconds and a third in the six races staged. In winning the MedCup series they'd also won four straight regattas. And as I type this an email alert from the MedCup media office has appropriately just popped up with the title "Simply the Best." Can't argue with that.
The day began with Team NZ's sailors packed into a little office which has been the base for the Virtual Eye graphics operation here, the boss of the Dunedin outfit, Ian Taylor, organising a satellite feed for the crew to watch the All Blacks beat Australia.
That set the tone and the crew set sail in determined mood.
Racing was delayed while the wind filled in and that reduced the action to one race. In light and shifty conditions the Kiwi start was poor, in fact at one stage they appeared to be last.
By the top mark they'd battled back to mid-fleet but this was not the way they wanted to end this campaign. Then on the run the afterguard spotted a windshift out right and NZL 380 took a flier, coming back to the pack in second place, which is where they finished.
This was a very satisfying series for ETNZ which ticked all the boxes. It kept the crew together and helped them bond and grow in confidence. The design team came up with the goods and the work of the shore crew ensured reliability.
They also sent out a message that, as a unit, they are stronger than ever, improving with each outing. Their display in the really heavy weather was faultless and they go now to the first regatta of the new Louis Vuitton World Series at Nice in France as the benchmark team.
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