Team NZ draw first blood over Mascalzone Latino

Team New Zealand took the early honours in the final of the Louis Vuitton Trophy yachting regatta on Saturday, winning the opening race against Italians Mascalzone Latino by12 seconds.

The remainder of the best-of-five series will be raced on Sunday.

The win completed a perfect day for the New Zealanders, who started with a 27sec win over another Italian entry, Azzurra, for a 2-1 semifinal victory. Against Mascalzone Latino, Team NZ had a one-length lead over the line.