Yachting: Team NZ stay third in Turkey

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Team New Zealand have retained their hold on third place after day three of racing at the Extreme 40 sailing series in Turkey.

The crew of Dean Barker, Glenn Ashby, James Dagg and Jeremy Lomas recorded three wins and a second in three of the day's nine races to lie eight points behind new leaders Groupe Edmond de Rothschild.

"We're getting back into it. Groupe Edmond de Rothschild was the big improver on the day and now lead this regatta but we're happy to have closed the gap on the leader," said Barker.

The French crew overhauled Sweden's Artemis Racing at the top of the leaderboard on a day that was highlighted by a shuddering crash when Alinghi ploughed into the stern of Team Extreme in the fourth race of the day.

A crewman from each of the boats was hurled into the water and Team Extreme was holed in its port hull and needed support to stay afloat. Both boats were lifted out of the water to undergo repairs.

Barker did not see the collision, but soon became aware of the incident.

"We had already rounded the mark on were on the run. We didn't see the yachts until we came around again and were totally unaware of the extent of the damage until we came ashore and saw the video playing on the big screen."

Team New Zealand coach Ray Davies said the tight nature of the racing meant that with two days left they were still well in contention.

"Each day is like a regatta, if you're in the top four at the end of the day then you have a chance of winning," he said.

Standings after day three: Groupe Edmond de Rothschild (France) 171 1, Artemis Racing (Sweden) 170 points 2, Team New Zealand (New Zealand) 163 3, Luna Rossa (Italy) 156 4, The Wave, Muscat (Oman), 153 5, Red Bull Extreme Sailing (Austria) 140 6, Team GAC Pindar (Great Britain) 121 7, Niceforyou (Italy) 112 8, Oman Air (Oman) 112 9, Alinghi (Switzerland) 111 10, Team Extreme (Europe) 88 11.

- NZPA