Yachting: Mayor 'real trouper' on Stars & Stripes

Auckland's mayor, Christine Fletcher, slipped and skidded her way to victory in the America's Cup challenger series yesterday.

The mayor was 17th person on Stars & Stripes in their win over Young America - perched where the boat erupted three days before when the rear bulkhead ripped loose.

There was no non-skid surface on the newly repaired deck area, and helmsman Ken Read said the mayor had "the ride of her life."

"She had no idea how dangerous her position was, and no one would tell her," Read said. "But she was a real trouper - she was great."