First loss in match race for Team NZ

By JULIE ASH

Exactly one year out from the 31st defence of the America's Cup, Team New Zealand and NZL60 suffered their first loss in a match race.

They were beaten by Seattle's OneWorld in the America's Cup International Regatta in Auckland - the team Sean Reeves claims acquired Team New Zealand design plans.

NZL60 has been unbeaten in nine races - the 5-0 whitewash of Prada in the defence of the cup in 2000 and its first four match races in this regatta.

Team New Zealand, who had already qualified for the final, got off to a flying start after OneWorld had to perform a penalty turn after crossing the line too early.

The New Zealanders had a 30s lead before they got caught in a lull that allowed OneWorld to win by 1min 45s.

Team New Zealand tactician Hamish Pepper said the loss was disappointing: "Everyone was a bit upset at losing the race. But at the end of the day it was very fickle conditions, it was very shifty and it is just a little bit of bad luck that we lost it.

"But in a year's time we probably won't have started an America's Cup race in these conditions. It will be more settled, so you can't read too much into it - but it was a loss."

Sweden's Victory Challenge and OneWorld - who could not sail their last race yesterday - square off today to see who meets Team New Zealand in the three-race final, which will also be held today, weather permitting.

"Every team has their strengths and weaknesses," Pepper said.

"It doesn't really matter who we race, we just have to come out here and face them with our team and try and win the two races."

He said the regatta had been a lot of fun and it was a shame the other challengers decided not to take part.

"You learn a bit about the other teams' tactics, their starts, their strengths," he said.

"In a lot of the teams their boat-handling was very good so we have to improve ours a bit.

"It has been a great experience for a lot of the guys to be under the pressure of an official race, under these conditions and stress, but I am sure in a year's time the pressure will be even higher."

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