18 May 2009

Poor last race performance costs Team New Zealand regatta

6:39 pm on 18 May 2009

A poor performance in the final race has cost Team New Zealand the opening MedCup regatta at Alicante in Spain.

Team New Zealand went into the last race three points clear, and with stronger breezes than forecast arriving skipper Dean Barker says they thought conditions would suit them.

A top five finish would have guaranteed them the title and Barker says they decided to race conservatively to try and defend their lead.

They rounded the first mark in fourth place but subsequently loss three places to finish seventh, having to settle for third overall.

He says while disappointed, they're still coming to grips with the new boat but know it can win having taken out two races at the regatta and are not setting their sights on the next regatta in Marseille next month.

Argentina's Matador was first overall with Sweden's Artemis second.