KEY POINTS:
Team New Zealand boss Grant Dalton has predicted one certainty at yachting's America's Cup -- there'll be some shocks off Valencia in the coming weeks.
The syndicate's NZL84 battled changeable weather to finish fifth today in the first race of the final preliminary regatta, the four-day Louis Vuitton Act 13.
The soft, shifty winds caused havoc among the 12-strong fleet, gave the contest the air of a lottery and caused the day's second race to be abandoned.
Dalton said there were positives for Team NZ, including being able to check out the opposition.
The regatta this week features fleet-racing, while both the Louis Vuitton Cup challengers' series and the America's Cup itself involve head-to-head match-racing.
But Dalton said any competition, and in no matter what conditions, was of value.
"What we saw were some very polished teams," he said.
"Only one thing is certain after today: there will be some big upsets before this is all over."
Today's race was won by American syndicate Oracle, who at times trailed the fleet but took advantage of a big wind shift on the final leg.
By contrast, Italy's +39 led most of the way, only to finish 10th, 9 minutes 43 seconds behind Oracle, skippered by New Zealander Chris Dickson.
South African outsiders Shosholoza were second, ahead of Italians Mascalzone Latino.
The race started 20 minutes late in about six knots of breeze and the fleet threaded its way through shifts and patches of light breeze on three legs.
On the run home, the wind shifted and shifted, and as it did so it collapsed, dying away to almost nothing.
NZL84, helmed by Ben Ainslie after skipper Dean Barker decided to hand over the wheel for Act 13, was back in 11th spot only a minute out from the finish.
But the black boat improved six places before crossing the line 5min 16sec behind Oracle.
The story of seesawing fortunes was much the same for Swiss defenders Alinghi, who had to overcome a penalty for an early start.
SUI91 went from last to first and then to last again as it was slowed to a near halt by the shifty conditions, before climbing back to fourth.
Act 13 is the last in a series of preliminary regattas that have been running over the past three years.
The challengers' series proper begins on April 17 (NZT), while the cup match between the successful challenger and Alinghi starts in June.
- NZPA
