Yachting: Team NZ take charge in Turkey

Team New Zealand in action. Photo / Getty Images

Team New Zealand have surged into the lead after four days of racing at the Extreme 40 sailing series in Turkey.

The Dean Barker-skippered boat started the day eight points behind leaders Groupe Edmond de Rothschild, but ended it with a four-point edge over Artemis Racing after netting two wins and a second over 10 races.

A win in the final race of the day gave Team NZ the lead, but despite their climb up the leaderboard Barker said there was a lot of luck involved in their results.

"You are in the fortunes of the guy up above and you have to deal with what you get," he said. "I think we are sailing better and better but you never come off the water feeling like you had a great day, you just feel like you are surviving."

Five teams are in contention for overall victory with just 13 points separating them heading into the final day of racing.

"Everything can change," said Barker. "It's nice to be leading going into the final day but you're only as good as your next race. With another seven to eight races tomorrow anything can happen."

Standings after day four: Team New Zealand (New Zealand) 228 1, Artemis Racing (Sweden) 224 points 2, The Wave, Muscat (Oman) 218 3, Groupe Edmond de Rothschild (France) 217 4, Luna Rossa (Italy) 215 5, Red Bull Extreme Sailing (Austria) 187 6, Team Extreme (Europe) 177 7, Oman Air (Oman) 170 8, Alinghi (Switzerland) 161 9, Team GAC Pindar (Great Britain) 160 10, Niceforyou (Italy) 153 11,

- NZPA