By JULIE ASH
Russell Coutts and his Swiss syndicate Alinghi were beaten by OneWorld Challenge today in the second day of racing in the Louis Vuitton Challenger series.
In the battle of billionaire-backed heavyweights, Seattle's OneWorld Challenge, with New Zealanders Craig Monk, Andrew Taylor, Alan Smith, Matthew Mason, Jeremy Scantlebury, Don Cowie and Richard Dodson aboard, started strongly and were 22 seconds ahead of Alinghi at the first mark.
OneWorld maintained the lead around the second mark before the Swiss, also loaded with New Zealanders, gained 3 seconds to reduce the deficit to 19s around the third mark.
Alinghi gained considerably through good tactical choices and closed the gap to just 10 seconds at the fourth mark. But OneWorld, whose yachts are designed by former Team New Zealand designer Laurie Davidson, managed to regain their 22s advantage going around the last mark before clinching a 10s win in a nail-bitting finish.
Winds: S 12-15 knots
Winning margin: 00.10
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Racing schedule, results and standings
Defeat for Coutts in battle of big spenders
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