Yachting: NZers stay in front in Sweden

New Zealand sailors Hamish Pepper and Craig Monk have retained their top spot at the Star world championship in Sweden ahead of the final race.

Just three points separate the leading four crews, meaning the last race will decide the title at Varberg.

Pepper and Monk defended their overall lead by finishing fourth in the penultimate race today.

They improved to 26 points overall, one ahead of crews from Switzerland and the United States and three better than a Swedish combination.

The 86-boat fleet will complete the last race overnight (NZT).

This is Pepper and Monk's first season together in the Olympic Star class and their first world championship as a pair.

Pepper is a former Star world champion, having won in 2006 with Carl Williams.

- NZPA