Emirates Team New Zealand have finished the 2005 Louis Vuitton Act series as the top challenger.

Defenders Alinghi came first overall, with Emirates Team New Zealand leading the pack of 11 challengers.

Emirates Team New Zealand had a great year finishing as the leader of the challengers for the 2005 Louis Vuitton season with a good performance in Trapani yesterday.

After a full year's racing with regattas in Valencia, Malmo and Trapani, Emirates Team New Zealand were tied on points with BMW Oracle, with the Kiwis taking the honours for second place by virtue of beating the Americans in two of their three match races this year.

There was everything to play for on the last day of racing in the 2005 America's Cup season and as hundreds of spectator boats braved the rough conditions to enjoy the last day of racing in the 2005 Louis Vuitton Acts, they were not disappointed.

The action went right to the wire with Emirates Team New Zealand coming sixth in the final race of Act 9 to claim top spot overall among the challengers.

Emirates Team New Zealand Managing Director, Grant Dalton, said the team had worked hard for its first place.

"We have come a long way over the past 12 months. We have put in place very solid foundations for 2007.

"We were over at the start in the last race and had to return and start again, which left us with little chance of a top-three placing at the finish.

"However, the determined way we were able to fight our way up through the fleet and finish sixth after briefly being last was testament to the team's commitment."

That sixth place in the last race secured Emirates Team New Zealand's third place overall, although at the start of the race it did not look good for the team.

The team now returns to New Zealand for the Kiwi summer and a gruelling practice regime before returning to Europe next year for the start of the 2006 campaign in Valencia in May.

2005 championship
1. Alinghi (SUI), 71
2. Emirates Team NZ (NZL) 61
3. BMW Oracle Racing (USA) 61
4. Luna Rossa (ITA) 57
5. Desafío Español (ESP) 42
6. Victory Challenge (SWE) 34
7. K-Challenge (FRA) 32
8. +39 (ITA) 32
9. Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team (ITA) 30
10. United Internet Team Germany (GER) 21
11. Team Shosholoza (RSA) 18
12. China Team (CHN) 9