New Zealand draw first blood in LV Cup final

Team New Zealand won the first race of the Louis Vuitton Cup final against Luna Rossa in a tight battle yesterday, setting the scene for a hard-fought best-of-nine series.

The Kiwis started this season as favourites to win the LV Cup and with it the right to challenge Swiss syndicate Alinghi and try to snatch back the America's Cup, sailing's oldest trophy.

In the first race of the LV Cup finals, the New Zealanders showed their consistent mettle, keeping their cool in the starting box and tacking early up the first leg which gained them control.

The boats were neck-and-neck for most of the first beat but by the top mark, the Kiwis had stretched out a 12-second advantage.

Italy's Luna Rossa fought back and engaged Team New Zealand in a tacking duel on the second upwind leg but the Kiwis kept their minimal lead and, at the end of almost one and a half hours, crossed the line eight seconds ahead.