LVT: One Down - Four to Go for ETNZ

by Warren Douglas

Emirates Team New Zealand has lost the first final match of the Louis Vuitton Trophy at La Maddalena.

The Russian team Synergy took the lead at the third mark, and defended on the run home to cross 32 sec ahead.

It was the last race of the day. The final is the best of five races. Four matches are scheduled for Sunday.

In as dying early evening breeze, Emirates Team New Zealand led up the first beat and down the run. There was never much in it. Synergy chased hard and in the challenging conditions took their chance as the yachts closed on the third mark.

Down the run, tactician Ray Davies called for a split in the chance there might be a little more breeze in the left but Synergy was able to hold on to win.

Emirates Team New Zealand
Louis Vuitton Trophy