Yachting: Team NZ tied for lead

Team New Zealand snared two solid wins at the Louis Vuitton Trophy yachting regatta in Sardinia overnight (NZT) to be tied for the overall lead,

The Dean Barker-skipped crew beat Italian opponents Azzurra by 13 seconds and French team Aleph by 29sec in gusty conditions off La Maddalena to move level with Sweden's Artemis with a 4-1 win-loss record. Mascalzone Latino of Italy also has a 4-1 record but has been deducted a point for a rules infraction.

Team NZ had been the victims of delays at the regatta caused by fickle winds and boat damage but caught up by lining up for the first two races of day six - both resulting in hard-fought wins according to tactician Ray Davies.

"On these short courses, the racing is always going to be close. And with the competition so sharp, there's no such thing as an easy race," he said.

Azzurra got the better of the start, going to the left and crossing first but they left an opening before the first mark which Barker capitalised on and his crew rounded the first mark 13sec up.

New Zealand extended on the run, rounding 27sec ahead and from there sailed a conservative cover.

Barker won the start against Aleph and was completing the beat well in control when the race was abandoned because the mark was out of position.

The beat on the restart was a replay of the first race, with Team NZ in control and leading to the top. Aleph kept attacking, keeping the margin to 7sec at the first mark but the gap had extended to 28sec by the midway point.

In other races, Artemis skippered by Paul Cayard and steered by Terry Hutchinson lost for the first time, by 46sec to Mascalzone Latino,

Standings:

Artemis 4pts, Team NZ 4, Mascalzone Latino 3, All4One 3, Synergy Russian Sailing Team 3, Team Origin 3, Azzurra 2, Luna Rossa 2, Oracle Racing Team 1, Aleph Sailing Team -2

- NZPA