Coutts wins over British

4.00pm

The Swiss Alinghi team won today's first Louis Vuitton Cup yacht race on the Hauraki Gulf by beating the British GBR-70 entry by four minutes 33 seconds.

In light, fickle winds and bright spring sunshine, the Russell Coutts-skippered Swiss entry was first around every mark, but had a tight contest with the British Wight Lightning boat on the first leg.

Only two races had started today in a competition to find who will challenge Team New Zealand for the America's Cup.

A start in the other two races will depend on the wind strengthening.

Only one of the two race courses could be used in the calm weather, allowing only two of the four scheduled races to get under way.

Organisers said the races postponed from today would now be held at the end of the first round robin series. Those matches are the San Francisco-based Oracle BMW Racing team against Sweden's Victory Challenge, and the Italian derby between Prada and Mascalzone Latino.

Winds: Light and variable

Winning margin: 04.33

- NZPA

nzherald.co.nz/americascup

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