Yachting: Team NZ wins Med Cup regatta

Team New Zealand finished 10 points ahead of Argentina's Matador. Chris Cameron / ETNZ

Team New Zealand won the MedCup regatta at Cartagena after a mixed final day off the coast of Spain.

The New Zealanders finished a comfortable 10 points ahead of Argentina's Matador and 21.5 points clear of third placed TeamOrigin.

The last day of racing was not without drama.

NZL 380 started well, taking second place in the first race. A port-starboard incident in the second race involving Quantum Racing of the United States cost them dearly. They finished fourth but were disqualified.

Dean Barker and crew shrugged that off and came back to win the final race of the regatta.

"We sailed much better here than we did in Barcelona," Barker said.

"We didn't have any bad races. I think we sailed better in Barcelona than we had done earlier in the year, and today it was really a good day.

"With three races to go anything could have happened and we managed to sail a very good, consistent day."

Team New Zealand set up victory at the regatta with back to back wins yesterday.

They are now well clear in the MedCup series on 133 points, nearly 50 ahead of second-placed Quantum Racing.

Results:

Team New Zealand 35.5pts 1, Matador (Argentina) 45 2, TeamOrigin (Great Britain) 46.5 3, Quantum Racing (USA) 53.5 4, Artemis (Sweden) 64 5, Synergy (Russia) 68.5 6, Luna Rossa (Italy) 69 7, Bribon (Spain) 70 8

Standings after four of five events:

Team New Zealand 133 1, Quantum Racing 179.5 2, Matador 199 3, TeamOrigin 200 4, Artemis 207 5, Synergy 241 6, Audi A1 (France/Germany) 243 7, Bribn 251.5 8, Cristabella (Great Britain) 256 9, Luna Rossa 264 10

- NZPA