Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker beat former boss Russell Coutts in the final of the Congressional Cup in California yesterday in their first encounter since the disastrous America's Cup defence.
Following on from Emirates Team New Zealand's success in last year's pre-cup regattas in Europe, Barker edged out Coutts
and his Danish crew 2-1 in the final sailed off Long Beach.
With a race each in the best-of-three series, Barker clinched the decider by a comfortable 19 seconds.
"It was nice to get one back," Barker said from California.
"We always have a lot of fun when we race against Russell ... you know whenever you race him it is always going to be hard so it keeps everyone very much on their toes and you have to sail well him to beat him."
After a reasonable start to the five-day regatta, Barker and his crew - with Team New Zealand's Terry Hutchinson, Jeremy Lomas and James Dagg, New Zealander James Baxter and seasoned American sailor Moose McClintock - stormed to the top of the leader board on the final day of the round- robin competition, scoring five wins on end.
As a result Barker was able to select his semifinal opponent, choosing Frenchman Matieu Richards over Dickson and Coutts.
"It was pretty hard choice actually, Russell [Coutts], Chris [Dickson] or this guy who is ranked fourth in the world."
Barker came from 1-0 down to beat Richards 2-1, while Coutts beat Dickson 2-1 for an all-Kiwi final.
"We had a chance to win, but we never really deserved to win," said Coutts after the final.
"They sailed great all week. They were a little sharper than us."
It appears there is still a bond between the apprentice and his mentor despite Coutts' heartbreaking 5-0 thrashing of Barker in the last cup.
"It was actually quite nice to catch up with him," Barker said.
"Obviously there are big changes in what he is doing. He is very happy, I just think he is pleased that it is finally resolved."
Cup final
Race 1 : Dean Barker beat Russell Coutts by 33s.
Race 2: Coutts beat Barker by 17s.
Race 3: Barker beat Coutts by 19s.
