Outteridge leads Artemis Racing to Challenger Playoff Finals
by 35th America's Cup 10 Jun 2017 08:13 BST
9 June 2017
Nathan Outteridge, the skipper of Artemis Racing, woke up Thursday morning staring down a 3-1 deficit in his Louis Vuitton America's Cup Challenger Playoff semi final match against Dean Barker's SoftBank Team Japan.
But by mid-afternoon Friday, Outteridge and his team had won four consecutive races, claiming the match 5-3, and landing a date in the Challenger Playoff Finals against Peter Burling's Emirates Team New Zealand.
Conditions on Friday were near the top end of the wind spectrum at 19-22 knots. Earlier this week, in similar strong weather conditions, Barker had beat Outteridge in both races sailed. He needed to pull off the same trick today if his team was to advance, but with a loss in the first race, SoftBank Team Japan was eliminated from the competition.
In the pre-start to the race, Barker pushed Artemis Racing skipper Nathan Outteridge towards the starting line early and as the Swedish challenger slowed so as not to break the start prematurely, Barker put his bows down, the boat raised up on its foils and Japan sped away to mark one with a narrow lead.
Outteridge kept it close on the first run and then on the upwind leg he made the pass. As Artemis Racing tacked at the edge of the race course, Barker was required to give room. A moment of hesitation meant SoftBank Team Japan made a late tack that left the boat in a vulnerable position and Outteridge pounced. With rights he luffed aggressively. Barker kept clear, but was pushed to a standstill, head to wind, while Artemis sped off into the lead and into the Louis Vuitton America's Cup Challenger Playoff Finals with what would be recorded as a 12-second win.
"Absolutely stoked," was the reaction from Outteridge on board immediately following the race.
"That was a tough race and to come back the boys really had to dig in. We're really happy to take it to the next round and we're going to be ready to go tomorrow."
Outteridge and Artemis Racing, after recovering from a 3-1 deficit to win the series 5-3 over Japan, will now face Peter Burling and Emirates Team New Zealand beginning at 14:08 local time in Bermuda on Saturday. The winner of the Louis Vuitton America's Cup Challenger Playoffs advances to the America's Cup Match against ORACLE TEAM USA.
For SoftBank Team Japan this marks the end of the fourth Japanese challenge for the America's Cup. Each one (1992, 1995, 1999) has fallen at the semi final stage of the challenger series.
But Kazuhiko 'Fuku' Sofuku, the General Manager and bowman for the team, who was also a sailor with the '95 and '99 efforts, says this was the most rewarding experience.
"I hope this will have a big impact for the Japanese and for sailing in Japan," he said. "I hope we are sending a good message to the people in Japan. We've been working really hard and from the first day we have had a never give up spirit. Nothing is impossible!"
"I'm disappointed we're not competing tomorrow," said Japan skipper Dean Barker, when asked how he felt after the race.
"But I think the main thing I feel is immense pride in what we've achieved in two years. We started from nothing... When we arrived back at the dock just now, words can't describe the feeling with the families, team members and friends and all of that support. I'm very proud of the environment we've created and I hope we can continue through to the next Cup cycle.
"I'd like to thank all our supporters. It's been a bit of a rollercoaster ride but the support we've had in Japan and New Zealand has been phenomenal. It's been quite an amazing journey and experience and I wouldn't change it for anything."
Artemis Racing now has less than 24 hours to prepare to race Emirates Team New Zealand. Outteridge and Burling are old foes; each can claim an Olympic victory over the other, as they've traded off gold and silver medals in the 49er class in the past two Games.
"I'm personally looking forward to it," said Outteridge, when the rivalry was mentioned at the press conference on Friday. "But this is about much more than Peter and myself. This is two big, well-supported teams going head to head."
And he said his team is confident after four consecutive race wins.
"The main thing is we've simplified our racing slightly. It's easy to get caught up in the battle and forget the details required to sail well. (Tactician) Iain Percy reminded us to just trust our gut and sail to our capabilities.
"On top of that we've made a nice improvement to the control system.
"We need to keep the momentum going and to keep sailing error free. That will be our best chance of moving forward. Our confidence in the boat is growing every day and when you have confidence in you equipment you can push hard. The teams are pretty evenly matched. It's about how well we sail as a team."
The forecast is for wind at near 15 knots at midday and easing over the course of the afternoon. Foil selection will be critical.
"It will be a big call on what boards to use," Outteridge said. "The first thing is to make the right decision and then we'll see how we stack up. I'm confident in our foils we just have use them in the right wind range."
Three races are scheduled in the Louis Vuitton America's Cup Challenger Finals on Friday beginning at 2:08pm local time in Bermuda.
www.americascup.com
The Sailor Girl interviews with the skippers - Dean Barker, Iain Percy and Nathan Outteridge (from Nic Douglass, Adventures of a Sailor Girl)
Today I said goodbye to Dean Barker following SoftBank Team Japan's loss to Artemis Racing today. Congratulations to all, again, involved with the Japanese team. It was fantastic to see you back in the Cup for the first time since 1999/2000. I also spoke with Iain Percy the Artemis tactician who is feeling confident going into the final with a full arsenal of rule knowledge and boat handling, and then Nathan Outteridge, the skipper who is feeling more confident with boat handling because of confidence in the boat and the crew following a real "shake down" on 6 June.
Good luck to Emirates Team New Zealand and Artemis Racing tomorrow - we will be back to bring you as many adventures as we can!
For all of the updates including live radio stream, photos, television shows and other videos so far for the 35th AC, head to www.nicdouglass.org/ac35
Most successful Japanese Challenger in history exits 35th America's Cup (from SoftBank Team Japan)
SoftBank Team Japan's challenge for the 35th America's Cup ended today, as the team fell to Swedish Challenger Artemis Racing in a thrilling semi-final matchup in Bermuda.
A visibly moved Skipper and CEO Dean Barker addressed the press after the racing highlighting the achievements of the team he and General Manager, Kazuhiko Sofuku, assembled less than two years ago.
"The main emotion I feel right now is immense pride in what we've achieved over two years", said Barker.
"We started with nothing. Two years ago, Fuku and I met here in Bermuda to try and figure out how we were going to put a team together and I think the group that was assembled and the support we've had from Japan has been incredible.
Sofuku continued, echoing Barker as he reflected on the achievements of the young Japanese challenge drawing upon his 20+ years of experience as Japan's leading America's Cup sailor.
"It's been an unbelievable journey", said Sofuku. "I'm so proud of this team. This is the best team I've worked with by far."
"Words don't describe the feeling when we got back to the dock and saw all the family, team members and friends", continued Barker.
"I think the environment we've managed to create is something we're incredibly proud of and hopefully get to continue on into the next cycle."
The final race against Artemis Racing today had SoftBank Team Japan fans glued to the screen all around the world as the team trailed going in 3-4 thru the first-to-five series.
Despite nailing the start and leading around the first two marks, the Swedes ultimately tacked onto the team's line and forced a luff, slowing the Japanese boat just enough so they could slip past for the win.
It was a bitter end to a thrilling semi-final series, one that, at one time, saw the Japanese leading 3-1 with hopes of advancing to the Challenger Playoff Finals.
"Today's race was a bit frustrating", said Barker.
"We hit something just after leaving the marina and didn't have time take the boat up. We had a couple divers inspect the boat and couldn't find damage but it eliminated 45 minutes of practice for us where we would normally spend preparing for those conditions."
The idea of building a brand-new Japanese Challenge was at first a daunting task, no doubt made easier with Barker's depth of leadership and Sofuku's passion to see Japan rally behind a new team.
In only two years the team launched three race boats, built a new base in Bermuda, brought together a team of over 50, and advanced to within two race wins of the Challenger Playoff Finals.
"This is the most successful Japanese America's Cup challenge in history", said Sofuku.
"In a very short period of time we became one of the strongest competitors in this Cup. Though this isn't the result we wanted, we're very happy with what we achieved."
As for the future, Barker and Sofuku would very much like to see the team continue and challenge for the America's Cup once again.
"I really hope this team has a future and it's been one of the objectives of this team, to try and build a fan base in Japan", said Barker.
"It's been a fantastic honour and a privilege to be involved in running a new team and assembling a great group of people and I wouldn't trade that for anything."
Back at the base and towards the sky, Sofuku looked up at the massive Japanese flag flying above the base next to a smaller flag flying with the words "Arigato Bermuda" in bold lettering.
"Thank you to all our supporters in Japan", said Sofuku. "This is our new starting point. Go SoftBank Team Japan."