Yachting: New Zealanders win 470 world champs

New Zealand sailors Simon Cooke and Peter Nicholas won the Olympic 470 class world championship in Sardinia, Italy, today.

Going into the final race this morning, four crews were in contention to win.

A perfectly executed final race by the Kiwis dashed any hopes for the others.

They read the wind well on the first leg and set themselves up in a commanding position for the remainder of the race.

Greece finished second, five points behind New Zealand.

It was New Zealand's first win in the class in 18 years, David Barnes and Hamish Wilcox last won the championship for New Zealand at home in 1984.

Today's victory qualified New Zealand for the next Olympics in Athens in two years.

- NZPA