RACE DAY!

Okay, more like an exhibition since there was only one boat participating.. but still.

Thank you ETNZ for taking the high road.

Dock Out show, interviewing the team.

Send off by the Maori dancers and most enthusiastic cheerleaders ever.

Doing a flyby for the fans as they head for the start line.
The mark in back is the one of the finish line marks.

Down at the Pavilion watching the Pre Show with Andy Green and Tucker Thompson.
Through out the Park they had these most awesome bean bag throws.

Andy Green and Tucker Thompson

Andy and Tucker with the live feed of ETNZ heading to start.

Flying down the course on their first pass.

After we returned from the Pavilion to the water front, you only can see about half the course. I realized later that if we had taken the ferry over to Alcatraz, you can see the ENTIRE race course.

Second pass heading to the last mark before the line.
(The course is very much a different design than traditional)

Through the finish line.

ETNZ top speed for the day was 42kts.  They averaged 20kts over the course (approx 16nm)

The police boat was hard at work today keeping the lookie-loos off of the race course.
However, I think the 72ft catamaran bearing down at me at 40kts would garner my attention.

1 point for ETNZ and the gratitude of the fans.  GOOD JOB!