Yachting: Team NZ increases lead

PORTIMAO - Emirates Team New Zealand today increased their already big lead on the Audi MedCup circuit despite mixed fortunes on a puffy opening day of the Portugal Trophy yachting regatta.

The Dean Barker-skippered NZ380 had placings of second, third and sixth off Portimao to be 38.5 points ahead of their closest rivals on Argentine boat Matador.

The advantage had looked like it could be even bigger after the first leg of the final race of the windward-leeward course in the Atlantic Ocean, with Team NZ leading at the top mark after a strong start.

But in the ensuing downwind leg, they opted for the left hand side of the course, only to see the boats that went right profit from stronger pressure.

By the bottom mark, Team NZ had slipped to sixth, where they stayed until the end of a contest won by hometown yacht Bigamist 7.

Tactician Ray Davies said Team NZ had simply got on the wrong side of a big shift in conditions that fluctuated between eight and 22 knots over the afternoon.

"We covered one group and the other group made a massive gain," he said.

"In those marginal surfing conditions, you get a gust and the boats go a hell of a lot faster. It's about pressure downwind and we missed one big puff. That's just the way it goes sometimes."

Davies said the fact that Team NZ still managed to increase their margin at the top of the table showed how testing the sailing had been.

"We've put on six points overall, so we have to be happy with that."

The five-day regatta at Portimao is the fourth of five events that make up the circuit and defending champions Quantum Racing, from the United States, were the best performed on the opening day.

Quantum had two wins and a fourth to remain remained third on the table, 48 points behind Team NZ.

Race one featured an exciting blanket finish, with just 10 seconds covering the first four boats.

Going around the final mark, Quantum, skippered by former Team NZ tactician Terry Hutchinson, was closely attended by Sweden's Artemis and NZL380.

On the run home, Team NZ split from the two others and headed to the opposite side of the course, and temporarily hit the front.

However, when Artemis came back at NZL380 and the two went gybe for gybe, Quantum slipped back in front.

NZL380 chased Quantum hard, but the Americans crossed the fi nish line five seconds in front, with Artemis three seconds further back.

In race two, Team NZ made a good start to take the early lead, but Quantum was first around the top mark and stayed there until the end.

Barker and his crew slipped to third when they were passed by Spanish yacht Bribon on the final run.

- NZPA