 The New Zealand boat won by eight seconds |
Team New Zealand's speed proved decisive as it beat Italy's Luna Rossa in the first race of the best-of-nine Louis Vuitton Cup final. A strong right hand wind shift gave Luna Rossa an early advantage but the Kiwis matched them tack for tack.
Eventually Dean Barker's boat came home eight seconds ahead of the Italians.
The yachts are competing for the right to challenge America's Cup holders Alinghi in a series off the coast of Spain from 23 June to 4 July.
"The shifts were short and sharp and were coming and going a lot. Fortunately the last one went for us," said Team New Zealand strategist Ray Davies.
"At no point did we feel comfortable. When boats are that close together it can go either way."
Luna Rossa tactician Torben Grael acknowledged that there had not been much between the teams.
"I think we did well to keep close but they didn't give us any opportunities to get past," he said.
"Regattas are like that - it's a question of who makes the fewest mistakes."
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