Yachting: Top skippers head for NZ

Five of the world's top 10 sailors, and New Zealanders Dean Barker and Chris Dickson, have been confirmed as entries in the Auckland Match Racing Cup.


World No 1 Ed Baird of Alinghi will take part in the International Sailing Federation event with Sebastian Col (K-Challenge), Ian Williams (Great Britain), Mathieu Richard (France) and Staffan Lindberg (Finland). Magnus Holmberg (Victory Challenge) and Bertrand Pace (Oracle) will also compete.

The tenth entry will be the winner of the NZ Match Racing Championships, a four-day regatta which starts on Thursday. The Auckland Match Racing Cup will take place from January 25 to 29 on the Waitemata Harbour.