Oracle beat Prada in closely fought race

3.45pm

Larry Ellison's Oracle BMW team have beaten Louis Vuitton cup holders Prada on day one of the challenger series in Auckland today.

With the billionaire Ellison at the helm for some of the course, the San Francisco-based syndicate crossed the finish line 42 seconds ahead of the Italians.

Oracle led at every mark, although Prada came back at them strongly on the fourth leg, cutting their deficit at that point by 24 seconds.

Weather: Wind from S-SW, 10-15 knots, increasing to 15-20 knots. Cloudy sky with scattered showers.

- NZPA, HERALD STAFF

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