Yachting: The only racing was a brief Alliance Francaise

By Suzanne McFadden

Le Defi France joined a race with Team New Zealand yesterday, but the Kiwis were otherwise engaged.

After a frustrating day of no wind, the America's Cup challengers and defenders alike returned home from the Hauraki Gulf early.

On the way back, the two black boats found a hint of a breeze off Bean Rock and engaged in an impromptu race. As the French approached, Sixieme Sens set a spinnaker and ran down the course alongside NZL57 and NZL60 - about 200m away.

Japanese challengers Nippon raised the ire of fellow challengers when they sailed with Team New Zealand last week, but no one seemed too worried about France's brief dalliance with the Kiwis yesterday.

"They joined in and sailed with us as we were finishing - it was no problem," Team New Zealand grinder Craig Monk said. "We gave them a wave, but we were busy racing among ourselves."

The only thing moving on the Louis Vuitton Cup semifinals course yesterday was a grey shark, which circled the becalmed boats looking for action.

While the French smoked cigarettes, and the Italians sunbathed, the race committee threw a fishing line overboard and hauled in a couple of snapper.