Yachting: Barker just edges out team-mate

Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker need not worry about a lack of inhouse competition in the build-up to the next America's Cup after a thrilling encounter with Ben Ainslie in the final of the New Zealand match racing championship.

Trailing his strategist 2-0 in the best of five series, Barker fought back to win the regatta 3-2 on the Waitemata Harbour yesterday.

Barker and Ainslie edged out BMW Oracle sailors Bertrand Pace and Chris Dickson in the semifinals.

That would have brought a smile to the face of Emirates Team New Zealand boss Grant Dalton, given that Oracle will be one of his syndicate's fiercest rivals come the America's Cup challenger series in 2007.

"To have two Emirates Team New Zealand teams in the final is just brilliant," Barker said.

As is often the case in match racing, the team that is first over the line is generally the first around the course.

That was the case yesterday after Ainslie got an edge over his skipper in the start box and picked the favoured side of the course, which secured him the first two races.

After an even start in race three, Barker's tactical nous was on the mark as he secured the favoured side of the course and extended his lead through a tacking duel.

Race four and five also went to Barker, who called the right side of the course.

Dalton will be pleased to hear that aggression is not something his sailors' lack in the start box.

In the last two races the pair circled each other likes sharks. How they didn't collide is anyone's guess.

But while much has been made of Ainslie challenging Barker for the job of helmsman, Team New Zealand afterguard coach Rod Davis believes the three-time Olympic medallist has a little way to go yet.

"Ben has had a pretty good week. He topped the round robin and cruised by Chris Dickson [in the semifinals] after some good starts.

"We are getting there but we are definitely a couple of clicks off Dean and his team.

"The learning curve for Ben is going to be steep for him and it is going to be that way for a while."

The national matchracing title is Barker's second. In his first matchracing regatta he won the national title in 1997, beating former Team New Zealand strategist Murray Jones in the final, a situation similar to that of his and Ainslie's.

"It is a bit like deja vu ... but I think winning the first one may have been slightly easier," Barker said.

Former Team New Zealand helmsman and tactician Pace beat his new boss Dickson to third place.