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Team New Zealand convincingly wrapped up the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series with three straight wins over America's Cup holders Alinghi to take the best-of-five series 3-1.

Alinghi won the opening race in the finals on Friday, but were never in it on the second day as Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker controlled each start and was never headed.

The winning margins were 29 seconds, 33sec and 20sec.

Barker pointed to a belief in their game plan as crucial to New Zealand's come-from-behind victory.

"We sat down last night and again this morning and we figured we needed to keep doing things exactly as we were and at some point things would change," Barker said.

"The guys with their belief and everything else -- we managed to come out and sail a very good day today."

In the opening race Saturday, Team NZ picked up a windshift early on the left side of the course to edge in front and force Alinghi to tack away.

Barker forced Alinghi helmsman Ed Baird into two extra tacks. Closing on the top mark, the New Zealanders were 100 metres (yards) ahead and they maintained control through to the end.

Barker again dominated the pre-start manoeuvres going into the second race and Alinghi received a penalty for failing to keep clear during one turn.

The Swiss then decided to gybe away with just 20sec to go before the gun and as a result Team NZ had an 80 metre advantage by the time Alinghi crossed the start line.

In what turned out to be the final race of the two-week series, both boats crossed the start on a starboard tack.

Team NZ, to windward, edged ahead and were a length in front when the yachts crossed for the first time.

After a tacking duel, Barker was able to push Baird out beyond the layline and rounded the top mark a comfortable 28sec ahead and the team was untroubled to the finish.

The Pacific Series was organised to give America's Cup crews racing time while Alinghi and arch-rivals Oracle Racing from the United States conduct a lengthy legal battle over the rules for the next Cup regatta.

AFP