Team New Zealand extended its lead atop yachting's MedCup standings with a solid third-place finish in Friday's third round off Marseille.
With 14.5 points, NZL 380 is 12 points clear of American yacht Quantum on 26.5 with Argentina's Matador third on 36.5.
Five boats finished within two minutes of each other after the 39.7-mile coastal race, sailed in a norwesterly wind of 12 knots close inshore with 24 knots further out.
NZL 380 led at the first mark but was outsailed later to trail American boat Quantum and Russia's Valars across the line.
Quantum beat Valars by 33 seconds and NZL 380 by 1 minute 14 seconds.
Said Team New Zealand strategist Adam Beashel: "It was not quite the Mistral we would have liked. We had a great long run from Marseille and then a long beat home. That makes it hard. We like it the other way round.
"The result was not everything we had hoped, but we extended our overall lead by two more valuable points, so on balance we would have to say it was a good day."
Standings after Friday's race: Team New Zealand 14.5 points 1, Quantum Racing (USA) 26.5, 2, Matador (Argentina)36.5, 3, Bribon (Spain) 41.5, 4, Bigamist (Portrugal) 42.5, 5, Artemis (Sweden) 43.5, 6, Valars (Russia), 44, 7, Synergy (Russia) 50, 8, Audi Q8 (Italy) 61, 9, Pisco Sour (Chile) 63, 10.
