SAILING:Team New Zealand won the first race of the Louis Vuitton Cup final against Luna Rossa in a tight battle yesterday, setting the scene for a hard-fought best-of-nine series.

The Kiwis started this season as favourites to win the LV Cup and with it the right to challenge Swiss syndicate Alinghi and try to snatch back the America's Cup, sailing's oldest trophy.

Italy's Luna Rossa staged a fight-back in the race and engaged Team New Zealand in a tacking duel on the second upwind leg.

But the Kiwis kept their minimal lead and, at the end of one and a half hours, crossed the line eight seconds ahead.