Team NZ defeat Oracle, stay unbeaten

Team New Zealand remained unbeaten at the Louis Vuitton Trophy yachting regatta in the south of France today after downing American rivals Oracle.

In a battle between two of the big names in America's Cup yachting, Team NZ won by 48 seconds to record their sixth victory of the event off Nice.

They were slightly ahead in a split-tack start in the Bay of Angels, and skipper Dean Barker had enough leverage to take control and was clearly in front at the first cross.

However, at the top mark, the margin was just 13 seconds and Oracle was close enough early on the downwind run to try to throw dirty air on Team NZ.

To get separation between the boats, Barker threw two dummy gybes, the second succeeding in shaking off Oracle.

Team NZ rounded the bottom mark 15sec ahead, but they picked up a good windshift on the next beat to build a comfortable lead of 47sec with one leg to go.

"We're happy with how it's been going," Barker said.

"We've been sailing with the same crew. You run the risk of injury or illness, but we've had the same crew throughout.".

The regatta is the first in the newly-established Louis Vuitton Trophy match-racing circuit with eight teams taking part in Nice.

Italy's Azzurra and Team Origin sit just behind Team NZ in the standings with one loss each.

- NZPA