OneWorld score narrow win over Le Defi

In a race between one of the heavyweights among the America's Cup challengers and one of the minnows, Seattle-based OneWorld beat France's Le Defi by 21 seconds on Auckland's Hauraki Gulf today.

In light and shifty wind conditions the big budget American team were unable to stamp their dominance on the race, despite leading at every mark.

Several times the French came back at them, including on the final downwind leg when Le Defi got to within 60 metres of OneWorld, after having trailed by one minute 6 sec at the fifth mark.

OneWorld is the only unbeaten challenger but is in second place on the standings (behind Alinghi which has sailed one more race) after being penalised one point before the regatta began for having other syndicates' design information.

Winning margin: 00.21

- NZPA