Team New Zealand and Britain’s TeamOrigin retained unbeaten records after the fourth day of round-robin racing at the Pacific Series sailing regatta for America’s Cup teams yesterday.
New Zealand beat Team China by 59 seconds to retain its Pool A lead with three wins and a bye, while TeamOrigin beat South Africa’s Team Shosholoza by 48 seconds to top Pool B, also with three wins.
Lack of wind delayed the start of racing by four hours yesterday and conditions remained light and tricky throughout the day.
PHOTO: AFP
Team New Zealand’s match was virtually decided at the start when Team China, skippered by Britain’s world match racing champion Ian Williams, crossed the line early and was forced to turn back and cross again.
In 8 knot (14.8kph) winds, Team New Zealand was able to gain control and to lead by 45 seconds at the first, windward mark. The New Zealand team was then able to sail cautiously and to lead around all marks on the 1.5 nautical mile (2.8km) windward-leeward course.
San Francisco’s BMW Oracle Racing, skippered by New Zealander Russell Coutts, beat France’s K-Challenge by 54 seconds in the other match in Pool A.
TeamOrigin trailed Team Shosholoza over the line after an intense pre-start and was behind for much of the first beat before passing the South African yacht to lead by 15 seconds at the top mark.
Italy’s Luna Rossa won two matches yesterday as it was forced to catch up a race postponed on Sunday because of high winds.
Luna Rossa beat the Greek Challenge by 54 seconds to post its first win of the regatta, then beat Team Shosholoza by one minute, 12 seconds after the South Africans incurred two penalties.
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