Yachting: Team NZ win two more races

Team New Zealand won both races on the fourth day of the Louis Vuitton Act 4 yachting regatta at Valencia today (NZT).

They beat Swedish Victory Challenge, a team who had three wins, and newcomers to the America's Cup China.

After eight races Team New Zealand and America's Cup defending champions Alinghi lead with eight points each, followed by BMW Oracle and Luna Rossa on seven each.

They beat the Swedish challenge by 24sec and China by 1min 58sec.

"We sailed a very defensive race," Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker said of their first race.

"We got a good jump off the start and sailed tight cover up the first beat. By doing that we let them back into the race but as long as everything is solid on board it's the safest way to win in those light, shifty conditions.

"There's no margin for error but in the end, we were backing our crew work which is equal or better than any."

* Results

Race 7

NZL 82 bt SWE 63 by 24sec
SUI 75 bt ESP 67 by 1min 33sec
ITA 74 bt CHN 69 by 1min 22sec
ITA 59 bt FRA 60 beat 41sec
ITA 77 bt RSA 83 by 1min 17 sec
USA 76 bt GER 72 by 1min 31 sec

Race 8

NZL 82 bt CHN 69 by 1min58 sec
SUI 75 bt ITA 77 by 2min 8sec
ITA 74 bt ITA 59 by 2min 10sec
FRA 60 bt SWE 63 by 58sec
USA 76 bt ESP 67 by 1 min 49 sec
GER 72 bt RSA 83 by 6sec

Points after eight races

8: Team NZ, Alinghi
7: BMW Oracle , Luna Rossa
4: Defasio Espanol
3: Victory Challenge, K Challenge
2: +39, Mascalzone Latino, United Internet Germany
1: China Team
0: Shosholoza

- NZPA