Yachting: Team NZ leads Alinghi 1-0

Team New Zealand has a 1-0 lead over Alinghi in the final of the pre-America's Cup Louis Vuitton yachting series in Valencia, Spain.

Team New Zealand qualified for the final beating Oracle in the morning to take the semifinal 2-1, and then scored a close win over the America's Cup holders in the first race in the best of three final.

"It was a good day for us," Team New Zealand team leader Grant Dalton said.

"Dean Barker and the afterguard got it absolutely right and the rest of the crew responded. It was a day to keep it tight and sail conservatively."

Barker won the right-hand side of the course at the start and took an early advantage, rounding the first mark nine seconds ahead.

They continued to hold a narrow lead over Alinghi, and by the final leg drew ahead to win by 17 seconds.

The final two races, if they are needed, are scheduled for tomorrow.

Earlier, Team New Zealand won a tight race against Oracle by 11 seconds after again leading at the start and leading throughout.

Dalton said the results had been encouraging.

"Whatever happens tomorrow we will take a lot out of this regatta," he said.

"We have beaten every team, which is a good measure of how far we have progressed in two years.

"We can now confidently set course for the next few months when we complete our testing and training in Valencia for 2006 then return to Auckland to launch the second new boat."

- NZPA