Yachting: Gear failure proves costly for Team NZ

Team NZ in action on day eight of the Louis Vuitton Trophy Regatta in La Maddalena, Italy. Photo / Chris Cameron, ETNZ

A horizontal split near the top of the jib and a failed lock at the top of the mast cost Team New Zealand any chance of winning its race against All4One at the Louis Vuitton Trophy Regatta in Italy today (NZT).

The split started as they crossed the start line in the match against the French-German crew at La Maddalena off the island of Sardina.

Skipper Dean Barker said: "We got the start we wanted to the right of All4One but as we came off the line the jib failed compromising our speed build. We had to tack away from a strong position and started losing distance."

All4One took advantage of the opportunity presented to them and as Team New Zealand nursed the failing jib, pulling away to build a lead.

On board Team New Zealand the job was to keep the sail together as much as possible and minimise the losses while preparing for an attacking opportunity on the downwind leg.

The opportunity didn't come because as crew members worked to ready another jib for the second beat the team got a second shock - one of the locks at the top of the rig failed and they could not set the sail properly.

Barker said: "Again our up-wind speed was compromised. We had to keep the game as close as we could and try to bustle ALL4One into error.

"But they sailed well and did exactly what we would have done had the situation been reversed.

"When you're racing borrowed boats and supplied equipment you make the best of what you're given. We're not alone in that." The final delta was 21s.

After day eight of the regatta, Artemis of Sweden and Synergy of Russia lead with five points followed by Emirates New Zealand, TeamOrigin of Britain, and All4One on four points.

- NZPA