Sound start by ETNZ

Emirates Team New Zealand had a fourth and second place in the two races sailed on the first day of the Audi MedCup regatta at Cartagena in Spain on Wednesday.

NZL 380 which leads the overall series, was on six points behind the British entry TeamOrigin and the Argentine entry Matador.

Racing was delayed, and reduced from three races to two, due to a lack of breeze initially and then in the setting of the course which was made more difficult by the depth of water and the current of Cartagena.

During the first race the easterly breeze topped 16 knots but dropped away later.

ETNZ skipper Dean Barker said: "It was a good start to a regatta where we have to take a longer view. Consistency is so very important."

While ETNZ is the overall series leader the programme was only 60 percent complete so it still had to retain a competitive focus.

Nine more races are scheduled for Cartagena and 11 at the final regatta in Cagliari.

"We work hard to stay ahead of the main dangers for the season championship [Quantum Racing and Artemis] but there's no point being too clever. As much as we can, we'll sail our own races, take any opportunities presented and try to stay out of trouble."

Tactician Ray Davies said the crew had a good day in tricky conditions.

"All the boats were trying to work the current which does a big circle around the bay.

"Going upwind, the right-hand side was strong and downwind it was the left. Everyone was trying to get to the right at the start of the second race and there was a little bit of bias at the committee boat so it was very busy at that end of the line.

"And in that sort of ruck, very few boats are going to get away clearly. Luckily we did," he said.