Superstition hands Team NZ second

Superstition among opposition crews allowed Team New Zealand to cross the line second today in the official practice race for the latest round the MedCup yachting series.

Team NZ, which leads the series heading into the regatta at Cagliari, on the Italian island of Sardinia, was fourth approaching the finish line.

However, in front of them, Matador (Argentina) and Bigamist (Portugal) gave into superstition that winners of a practice race didn't win the regatta itself, and sailed past the end of the line.

Superstition didn't worry Swedish entry Artemis, which took the gun ahead of NZL380.

Team NZ boss Grant Dalton said speed and consistency would be important at Cagliari.

"We think Matador and Artemis will be a handful here," he said.

"We'll take it race by race, aiming for a good start and getting a clear lane so that we're right there at the first mark."

The sea breeze was forecast to continue for the first few days of racing, which runs through to this weekend.

Cagliari is the third of the five regattas that made up the MedCup circuit, which is sailed in TP52s.

-NZPA