GBR Challenge today got off to a winning start in the quarter-finals of the Louis Vuitton Cup - the elimination series for the Americas Cup.
As Wight Lightning and Team Dennis Conner's Stars & Stripes approached the start line the British yacht claimed the leeward overlap forcing the Americans into a penalty right at the gun.
Stars & Stripes led for the first two legs but GBR Challenge managed to pass on the final downwind leg.
When Stars & Stripes had completed their penalty on the finish line, the winning margin was exactly one minute.
It was a superb start for GBR Challenge helmsman Andy Beadsworth, from Titchfield, in the best-of-seven quarter-final series after racing had been delayed by two hours due to light winds in Hauraki Gulf.
In the day's other races, top qualifiers Alinghi beat Prada of Italy by one minute 18 seconds.
The Swiss yacht led by only eight seconds at the final mark but Prada had been penalised.
Oracle BMW Racing won the all-American clash with OneWorld by 12 seconds in a race marred by penalties.
Swedish yacht Victory Challenge cruised to a two-minute three-second victory over Le Defi Areva of France.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article