Auckland, New Zealand — New Zealander Cameron Appleton is slated to face Frenchman Bertrand Pace in a showdown of America's Cup talent in the finals of the Steinlager Line 7 Cup. Fellow New Zealander Dean Barker's winning streak ended in an upset, as he went down 3-0 to the 22-year-old Appleton. "It's one of the biggest highlights and most amazing feelings so far," Appleton said, "next to winning the America's Cup, so for me beating Dean, three - nil, was amazing." Conditions on Auckland's Waitemata Harbor were ideal for spectators and competitors alike as southerly 10 to 20-knot breezes filled in under sunny skies.
In the other semifinal match up, Gavin Brady from America One felt victory slip through his grasp as Bertrand Pace claimed his final slot in the fourth race by a one-second difference.
A tie-breaker sail-off between New Zealand's Chris Dickson and Bertrand Pace for a semifinal place was won by Pace who established a strong position early on, strengthened when Dickson sailed the wrong course. Brady and Appleton claimed their semifinal places in the remaining qualifying rounds.