Team NZ maintain edge in light winds

By JULIE ASH

Team New Zealand have maintained their clean match racing record in the second day of the International America's Cup regatta on the Waitemata.

In light conditions yesterday, Team New Zealand beat OneWorld Challenge by 2min 13s. The win comes after they beat Sweden's Victory Challenge in their new generation boat Orn on the opening day of competition.

Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker said yesterday's variable weather did not make racing easy.

"We were pleased with the way we sailed. It was quite light but changed a lot and was very testing tactically."

He said although none of the teams was revealing everything, that did not mean there was any holding back when it came to racing.

"You obviously are trying as hard as you can to win, but it is always in the back of your mind that you can't bring everything into the public domain. But we are certainly not backing off.

"We have taken a lot of positives out of what we are doing."

Victory Challenge beat Britain's GBR Challenge by 58s in the other race yesterday.

On the first day, the Swedish syndicate won the fleet race, before pushing Team New Zealand all the way in their first match race.

Barker said he has been impressed by the Swedes' new boat. "They are certainly not slow. They have built a boat that is quite fast in certain conditions.

"I am sure they will be pleased with the way it is performing, but it will be interesting to see how it shapes up against the other new generation boats."

Victory Challenge helmsman Jesper Bank said it was very satisfying to have won the fleet race and the signs from the boat were encouraging.

"The feeling we get [from the new boat] is if we treat her right, she'll be good to us," he said.

Today is a rest day before racing resumes tomorrow.

Points after two races: Team New Zealand 2, Victory Challenge 1, OneWorld 1, GBR Challenge 0.

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