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The repeated gold fleet race between TeamOrigin and Luna Rossa produced the closest finish of the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series so far.
It was a tight, intense battle right throughout the race with the lead changing several times and the British team only winning by four seconds.
The gold fleet race originally started at 3.15pm after a lack of wind delayed all the racing but it had to be abandoned when neither boat reached the first mark within the twenty minute time limit although TeamOrigin had a strong lead at that point.
The race was re-started on a re-positioned course close to the shore off Cheltenham Beach and North Head.
TeamOrigin had a slight advantage on the first leg but Luna Rossa sailed into strong winds and surged back to take the lead.
Both crews were conservative at the second mark, dropping their gennakers very early when approaching and clearly desperate not to make a mistake.
At the bottom gate, Luna Rossa went left while TeamOrigin took the right with Luna Rossa coming out ahead by 10 seconds.
The Italians came very close around the third mark and kept TeamOrigin out despite Ben Ainslie attempting to sneak through.
The British team appeared to possibly make contact with the marker buoy but there was no penalty and they recovered quickly with a good hoist.
TeamOrigin then pushed ahead to a 50 metre lead on the final leg after some quick crew work.
Peter Holmberg's crew came back at them and fought hard right down to the line with TeamOrigin just holding on to win by mere seconds.
TeamOrigin now have half a point while Luna Rossa have none.
