Yachting: Team New Zealand holds firm

Emirates Team New Zealand win against Artemis Racing to secure third in the Match Racing. Photo / Supplied

Team New Zealand has retained its lead in the America's Cup World Series match racing championship after the latest round in San Diego.

After three regattas, Dean Barker, Winston Macfarlane, James Dagg, Ray Davies and Glenn Ashby, with 27 points, have a one-point lead over Oracle 4 (James Spithill).

Artemis on 23 points is third in the standings. Team Korea on 20 points is fourth.

The team bounced back yesterday (Sat, NZ time) in its match against Artemis (Sweden) and won convincingly by 39 seconds.

Barker won the start and controlled the race from the front, leaving the Swedes without space to move.

At the finish Barker was 39 seconds ahead.

That win gave Team New Zealand third place in the San Diego match racing regatta and Artemis fourth.

Oracle 4 and the French Energy team squared off in the best-of-three match racing final, with Oracle 4 winning in two.