Aleph end Emirates Team New Zealand run

Dubai: Strong winds and dark black clouds forced the cancellation of the seventh day's sailing over the Waitemata Harbour, but not before French strugglers Aleph had scored a stunning win over hosts Emirates Team New Zealand in the Louis Vuitton Trophy, yesterday.

Unbeaten through five rounds of sailing so far, Emirates Team New Zealand could do very little as they went down by 38 seconds to the French team currently lying in seventh position in the eight-team field.

It was their day and there was no denying the French boat skipper Bertrand Pacé as the Frenchman took on his former partner Dean Barker on board Emirates Team New Zealand. Barker fought for the right side and got it even as both boats got involved in multiple circling duels that eventually helped Aleph take a slender lead.

But that is when disaster struck as the clew exploded ripping the sail cloth while they were trimming their spinnaker. They lost pace, time and eventually managed to finish the first run under jib to claw within a respectable 38 seconds.