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Source: Photosport -
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As celebrations go "subdued" would be a huge understatement.
That said the manner in which Emirates Team New Zealand achieved what they were celebrating was pretty low key too.
Going into day two of this five-day AudiMedCup regatta in Italy, the Kiwis knew they could wrap up the series title but did not help their cause with a dead last place in the first race. They then bounced back with a second and a third which gave them a points cushion that could not be overhauled.
With the title successfully defended for the first time in MedCup history skipper Dean Barker was quietly elated.
"It's a fantastic feeling for the guys to have it done with three days to go," Barker said.
"I think it's been an incredibly tough season - harder than last year - but we've managed to wrap it up one day earlier too so yeah. It's great. Very happy."
While the big trophy is in the bag, there's a feeling that the job here in Cagliari is only half done. After it was announced that the series title was safe, the crew gathered in a circle of chairs in the udiMedCup village and enjoyed a quiet beer. That was it.
ETNZ exists to win and there is still the Sardinia Trophy up for grabs. That's why the champagne stays on ice until the prize giving at the weekend.
Mind you Barker and Co. have not made the double an easy task, limping home in sixth place in today's 25 mile Coastal Race. They now have two days and four races to ensure the prize-giving is a very, very Kiwi affair.
Of course the Audi MedCup is already just that. The TP52 Class here has ten boats representing ten different nations and of the 120 sailors 31 are Kiwis&32 if you include someone who is about to become an honorary Kiwi.
While ETNZ has been quietly wrapping up the AudiMedCup, two of its newest recruits have been racing against them - all in aid of more Kiwi yachting success next year.
Cristabella is a British yacht but like most grand prix competitors its crew is international including Kiwi Adam Minoprio as strategist and at the helm a Spaniard about to be that honorary Kiwi, Roberto Bermudez de Castro ..ETNZ's Volvo Ocean Race recruits sailing together for the first time&chemistry being established&
Says Minoprio:"What I am learning is just his personality and that we get along so it's fine.We seem to be on the same level with our talking about everything about sailing.
"He's pretty mellow and doesn't get stressed about anything. And he's also focussed without worrying or sweating about the little stuff."
40-year-old Chuni, as he's known throughout the yachting world, is a veteran of four round the world races and is equally impressed with his 24-year-old team-mate:
"He's really young and he's really smart. Now he has to be ready for hard work and very bad conditions and to be wet for a long time!"
"Preparing to be cold, wet and miserable is a recurring theme for Minoprio with plenty of ribbing from pro yachties here in Cagliari:"
"There's a lot of Volvo sailors on all the other boats in the round the world races and they are all having their turn in winding me up saying 'why do you want to do it?'"
And the Southern Ocean will, of course, be a far cry from the world match racing tour of which Minoprio is the defending champion.
Racing doesn't finish at the end of the day followed by a cold beer and a warm shower.
Cristabella's Kiwi skipper, Olympic medallist and America's Cup veteran John Cutler - who brought the new team-mates together for the AudiMedcup - showing amused concern:
"I think for Adam it's going to be a different experience doing 30 days wet and cold and stuff like that. I look forward to hearing what he has to say when he gets off!"
ETNZ's Volvo boat is due to be launched in Auckland in April . The race starts next November.
