Wellington, March 17 NZPA - Team New Zealand has eased through to the semifinals of the Louis Vuitton Trophy with a hard-earned win over Synergy as the yachting regatta in Auckland neared the business end of competition today.

New Zealand, as top qualifier from eight days of round robin competition, sailed off against eighth-placed Synergy (Russia) and the win means the Dean Barker-led Team New Zealand go directly through to the semifinals.

The No 2 qualifier, Italian yacht Mascalzone Latino, sailed off against seventh-placed Aleph (France) and crossed the line first by nearly a minute to go straight into the other semifinal. Synergy and Aleph now drop out of the trophy.

All4One, Azzurra, Artemis and Team Origin race tomorrow in the elimination semifinal that will decide the opposition for New Zealand and Italy.