KEY POINTS:
With a similar lottery expected on the Waitemata Harbour today, Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker was contemplating a bit of hair pulling last night.
The opening day of the Auckland Match Racing Championships was plagued by light winds and raging currents which, for the 10 skippers, meant
figuring out where to position their boats was about as easy as winning the lottery.
As a result, some of the big guns were knocked over by their less-experienced opponents and the winning margins ranged from 1s yesterday morning to more than five minutes, which resulted in three did-not-finishes yesterday afternoon.
But, as is often the case in match racing, no matter what the conditions the cream still rises to the top.
With six of nine races in the first round completed, four skippers ended the day with four wins and two losses.
One of which was Barker. The others were Luna Rossa helmsman James Spithill, world number two Ian Williams of Britain and world number three Frenchman Mathieu Richard.
Barker's two losses were against Japanese sailor Takumi Nakamura and his America's Cup nemesis, Spithill.
Against Nakamura, Barker had the advantage at the start but the Japanese secured a lift slightly earlier which evened the two boats up.
The pair then got tangled in the match ahead of them who were rounding the same mark. As a result, Barker had to tack off which allowed Nakamura to sail away.
Against Spithill, Barker established a good lead at the start but said he was guilty of trying to sail too tight a race.
"We probably gave him a bit of leverage and then he sort of got right around us. After the first beat, it was pretty much all over.
"It was a bit frustrating because we thought we had done enough and were in pretty strong shape."
Barker said the conditions were trying to say the least.
"It is not normal match racing at times. You basically roll a dice and one is going to work and one isn't.
"In a lot of ways, it doesn't make for great racing but you know what you are in for and you have got a 50-50 chance at the start to take the plan that you want and you have to back yourself on that.
"Everyone had their moments. It's a long series, two round robins, so you have to keep posting consistent days.
"The level is high and there's not going to be a lot between the top few teams."
Racing continues today on the Waitemata Harbour from 10am.