Team New Zealand were rocked by an upset loss to Italy's +39 Challenge on the fourth day of the pre-Americas Cup sailing regatta in Malmo, Sweden, today.
Skipper Dean Barker and his crew made a rare unforced error by breaking the start line a second too early, in what should have been a straightforward match against +39 Challenge.
The Italian team kept their nerve to trounce the stunned New Zealand crew by one minute six seconds in the biggest upset to date at the regatta.
Earlier, Team New Zealand comfortably beat France's K-Challenge by 1min 12sec after dominating the pre-start.
After four days, Alinghi led the fleet with eight points with Team New Zealand, BMW Oracle Racing and Luna Rossa equal second on seven points.
Alinghi beat the German team by 1min 45sec, then China by more than 3min to remain unbeaten.
- NZPA
Yachting: Team NZ lose to Italians
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
