Kiwis close on cup challenge

Herald Sun

TEAM New Zealand are only two wins away from challenging Alinghi for the America's Cup after routing Italy's Luna Rossa in the third leg of the Louis Vuitton Cup final today.

The Italians crossed the start line, off the coast of Valencia, Spain, four seconds up on NZL 92.

But Dean Barker's boat quickly cancelled out that deficit to surge clear for a majestic 1min 38sec win and a 3-0 lead in the best-of-nine series final.

New Zealand could wrap up the final by as early as Wednesday - today is a rest day - unless Luna Rossa can devise a way to stem the Kiwi tide.

"I never thought we would be 3-0 up. We were expecting to lose a couple of races by now,'' said Kiwi strategist Ray Davies.

"The boat was going really well today. We're happy with its speed but we can't relax yet - we've still got two races to win.

"And these guys (Luna Rossa) are more than capable of taking races off us.

"They're a fantastic team, awesome sailors, and if any team can turn it around it's these guys.''

Reflecting on the start Davies said: ``Luna Rossa did a great job in controlling us but sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.

"The breeze went our way and it was difficult for Luna Rossa to come back at us.''

Luna Rossa's Australian afterguard, Ben Durham, had a simple solution to crack the Kiwis.

"It's simple, we've got to start sailing better,'' he said.

"I don't think we've sailed as well as we can so far. Now we're looking forward to getting a chance to sail better.''

"Our crew work is good, I'm very proud of them, but over the last three days the New Zealanders have done a better job of getting off the line and getting up to speed - that's an area we can do better in.''

Luna Rossa's failure to trouble the New Zealanders has come as a surprise given their near total domination of pre-competition favourites BMW Oracle in the semi-finals.

In that 5-1 drubbing helmsman James Spithill's mastery of the pre-start game of chess proved pivotal but whilst still strong the Australian has failed to inflict similar damage on Barker.