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New Zealand skipper Stewart Thwaites and his Konica Minolta crew finally kicked a goal in the aquatic version of the Bledisloe Cup when they won an important race in the 2004 Hahn Premium Race Week off Hamilton Island this afternoon.

Stewart Thwaites and his crew have struggled to sail on equal terms with their rival Australian maxi Skandia since December last year when Grant Wharington steered his impressive big boat to win line honours in the Sydney Hobart Race.

The Skandia crew previously unbeaten in 27 races over a varied range of courses found little answer to the speed, crew work and tactics expressed by the Konica Minolta crew when they sailed with a clever race strategy in the perfect 8-10 knot variable breeze.

Konica Minolta was well overdue for a win and the tactical team on the New Zealand maxi bounced out of the start in clear wind to engage their rival in an Americas Cup style match race up the first windward beat.

Skipper Thwaites had the edge on his rival Grant Wharington but they were collectively outpaced by the smaller Admirals Cup champion the Bob Oatley skippered Wild Oats which rounded the windward mark in the wind shadow of their huge spread of sails.

The sail power and speed created by selecting the faster sailing angles allowed the Konica/ Minolta crew to hold the controlling position against Skandia.

This duel continued over the final windward and return leg with Stewart Thwaites and his crew showing that they were equal to the task applying the perfect defensive cover to score a popular win from Skandia and Wild Oats.