Yachting: Re-match on the harbour

Finnish sailor Staffan Lindberg is busy packing his rental car, determined to get in a couple of days' sightseeing before next week's Auckland Match Racing Cup.

Having arrived in Auckland on Sunday, Lindberg spent a couple of days training against young yachtie Simon Minoprio on the Waitemata Harbour before loading up his car, crew and family and heading up North for a holiday.

"I have been to New Zealand twice before but I have never sailed competitively here," he said.

"I am looking forward to it, there is a great lineup of sailors competing."

Bearing that in mind, Lindberg's timing for a holiday may seem a little peculiar.

The Finnish sailor is one of 10 world-class sailors here for the five-day Auckland Match Racing Cup, which starts on Wednesday.

An international Grade One event, the regatta is a welcome relief for yachting fans who have been starved of a world-class competition since the demise of the Steinlager/Line 7 Cup in 2002.

The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron is hosting the event, which coincides with Auckland Anniversary Weekend, and there are plans for it to become an annual fixture.

Of the 10 skippers, who were invited to compete, seven are from America's Cup syndicates.

Representing defenders Alinghi is American Ed Baird who has enjoyed great success on the international match-racing circuit and, until recently, was number one on the ISAF world rankings.

Emirates Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker is one of three New Zealand sailors competing and should be a strong contender, considering his familiarity with the water and the Farr-designed MRX yachts.

BMW Oracle Racing chief executive Aucklander Chris Dickson has the same advantages and it would come as no surprise to see the two lining up in the final on January 29.

Barker beat Dickson to defend his New Zealand match-racing title in Auckland in November. Dickson then finished fifth in the final Swedish Match Tour event of the year, the Monsoon Cup, two places higher than Barker.

New Zealander Russell Coutts, who finished second in the Monsoon Cup, commented on his website that he was impressed with Dickson.

"In some ways Dickson was almost back to his old self, starting well and sailing confidently," Coutts wrote.

Other America's Cup sailors lining up next week are Dickson's Oracle teammate Frenchman Bertrand Pace, K-Challenge's Cameron Appleton (who is also from Auckland) and Sebastien Col and Victory Challenge skipper Magnus Holmberg.

A win for any of the Cup sailors in a match racing event is always a confidence boast, especially now that the America's Cup regatta is just over a year away.

But for Lindberg, who has no America's Cup affiliation, the regatta is a chance to advance another step, having made the semifinals in his last three grade-one events.

"I have realised that the top guys always have another gear to go to when it comes to the semifinals and the final. We sort of use that extra gear to get into the semis so we have to work on moving up again."

He suspects Barker and Dickson will be the most difficult to beat because "not only are they good but they are familiar with the boats and water".

He also rates Baird: "You can never rule him out."

Lindberg said the tides and currents of the Waitemata Harbour would provide his team with an added challenge.

The MRX yachts were "tricky" to sail but he would not concern himself with that too much until next week.

"There is a very nice lineup of sailors here. We are going to get a few matches and the prizemoney is good.

"We are hoping to make the semifinals, which will hopefully help pay for our trip home."