Stuff.co.nz. By Paul Easton:
A Kiwi accountant has managed to do what Team New Zealand could not – thrash Aussie sailing ace Jimmy Spithill on the water.
Sam Finnigan, 22, yesterday defeated Spithill as the pair took turns to pilot the 60ft Team Vodafone Sailing trimaran using a smartphone from a helicopter hovering above.
“You're only as good as your last result,” Spithill said. “I need a first to nine to be honest.”
Despite the defeat, Spithill said he enjoyed the day out on the the Hauraki Gulf off Auckland.
“Mate, I was grinning like a kid on Christmas Day, to be charging around like that. I had to pinch myself a couple of times. It's definitely a new way to spectate sailing that's for sure.”
Whilst Spithill looked the quickest in practice, the Kiwi was two minutes faster when it counted.
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