SAILING : Kiwis Are Quick Studies, Leading in San Diego

Considering he was a novice at sailing 68-foot boats--”maxi-sleds”--and had never raced in the shifting winds of San Diego Harbor, New Zealand skipper David Barnes made a good showing Friday, the first day of an eight-race yachting series between the Kiwis and the United States.

Barnes took two of three match races from Peter Isler, winning navigator in the last two America’s Cup competitions, and suffered his only loss by just six seconds.

“We came in here with everything to gain and nothing to lose,” Barnes said. “This is Peter’s home turf, and these boats are foreign to us.”

Barnes and his 10-member crew practiced with the maxi-sleds for four days.

“I guess it shows that we’re fast learners and quick to adapt to different conditions,” Barnes said.

Isler said he wasn’t surprised by the quick start.

“You have many Olympic class people on that crew,” Isler said. “It’s always been tough to race against them.”

Racing continues today and Sunday.