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TeamOrigin in action during the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series - Source: Richard Gladwell/Sail World -
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Team New Zealand and Britain's Team Origin maintained their
100 percent win records in the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series in
Auckland, each sailing to their third win on the fourth day.
Team NZ eased to a 59-second victory over China Team, while the
British were also comfortable in accounting for South Africa's Team
Shosholoza by 48sec.
A lack of breeze early on the fourth day of the regatta meant a
four-hour wait before competition started at 2.45pm.
Racing continued past 7.30pm after organisers decided to add on the
race that was postponed on Sunday because the conditions became too
heavy.
Team NZ's contest with China Team was virtually settled at the
start.
China Team, skippered by Briton Ian Williams, a two-time world
match-racing champion, went over the line early and had to turn
back.
In eight knots of wind, Team NZ skipper Dean Barker had already
assumed control in the final moments before the gun, getting the
side of the line he had targeted and building up good speed.
But China's error increased Team NZ's advantage, and by the time
the Chinese had restarted, they were already eight boat lengths
behind.
By the top mark, the gap was 45sec and it remained a case of follow
the leader over the remaining three legs.
With one round of the first round robin to go, Team NZ are the only
unbeaten team in pool A, while China, who have a bye on Tuesday,
are bottom without a win.
In pool B, Team Origin, with three-time Olympic gold medallist Ben
Ainslie at the helm, had a notable battle with Shosholoza in the
pre-start.
Ainslie chased rival skipper Paolo Cian out above the committee boat, but Cian came back to the line at speed to cross narrowly in front.
Shosholoza went on to lead for much of the opening leg, but two thirds of the way up the beat Origin managed to move in front.
The margin at the top mark was just 15sec, but the British then
steadily pulled away.
Deltas: Team New Zealand beat China Team
Mark 1: 0:45 NZL
Mark 2: 0:54 NZL
Mark 3: 0:53 NZL
Finish: 0:59 NZL
Deltas: TeamOrigin beat Team Shosholoza
Mark 1: 0:15 GBR
Mark 2: 0:30 GBR
Mark 3: 0:39 GBR
Finish: 0:48 GBR
