Race 3, 2000: Bungling Prada deliver a freebie

By CHRIS DICKSON

Saturday, February 26, 2000

Team New Zealand took race one, Prada gave them race two.

Although Prada entered the start box from the favoured starboard end, it took Russell Coutts less than a minute to not only wriggle out of trouble but to reverse the position and gain control.

Then with a minute to go and both boats heading towards an even start, Francesco de Angelis buried Luna Rossa into a no-win situation and handed Team NZ the start on a golden platter.

Time on the water is paying off for Team NZ, and it was great to see them out practising on Monday's layday. It is no real surprise to see the team who did a dozen practice starts are a cut, a slice and a thrust above the team who stayed home.

Shortly after the start, however, Team NZ made their first unforced error when they allowed Prada to pick up a major windshift and sail back into the race from what had been a near-hopeless position.

This was a timely reminder to the Team NZ afterguard that Prada can pick them too, and give them an inch, they'll take a mile.

It was a rapid comeback for Prada and suggested they have the potential to get in front.

The actions that followed those first few exciting minutes were bordering on the bizarre. A man over the side on a halyard, Team NZ gaining by the second, blood pouring down the side of the boat and then Prada stopping the boat, putting a man in the water and finally the evacuation of the injured crew member.

Team NZ have been around plenty long enough to know what to do with a freebie when they see one, and this was about as good as they come.

Prada were obviously suffering some bad luck, but the man in the water exercise appeared as unpractised and unprofessional as I can possibly imagine.

Prada are capable of much better, and must eliminate the unforced errors. If they can just stay in the race long enough, opportunities will happen.

Team NZ have shown they also can make mistakes and, given the right conditions, I think Prada can give them a run for their money.

Unfortunately for Prada, those right conditions appear to be the shifty offshore winds we have seen in the first two races, and with the high pressure system about to move on Prada's best chances may have already passed them by.

This was another polished performance by Team NZ, who are obviously going to be tough to beat.

But come on Prada, we know you can do better. How about shaking that demon off and cranking things up a bit? If they are pushed, we just might see what Team NZ can really do.

nzherald.co.nz/americascup