Yachting: Team NZ takes lead in France

Team NZ beat All4one by 47 seconds at the Louis Vuitton Trophy today. Photo / Chris Cameron, ETNZ

Team New Zealand is now a clear leader of the Louis Vuitton Trophy competition after beating Franco-German yacht All4one today.

Team NZ won the race by 47 seconds, taking them into the lead with a seven win, two loss record in the contest off the south coast of France.

Skipper Dean Barker was prepared to lose a couple of boat lengths at the start to get the favoured right side of the course, and it paid off when they were two lengths ahead at the first cross.

They led by 38 seconds at the first mark and were never headed.

Barker said Team NZ were a little early to the line and didn't quite get the split tack start they wanted.

" But we had the right and the guys did a great job to pick up All4one by the first cross," he said.

"We used the power of the right to dominate and it was difficult for All4one to overcome that in today's conditions."

Tactician Ray Davies said the boat got two good shifts on the first beat and a good lead of more than a minute at the third mark.

"We only had to keep between them and the finish line to take the win."

The two-week regatta, the first in a newly-established world series sailed in America's Cup-class boats, is now in its second round-robin. It will be followed by knockout semifinals.

- NZPA