New Zealander Russell Coutts moved into a tie for the career victories lead on the Swedish Match Tour today with his second straight triumph in the Toscana Elba Cup – Trofeo Locman.

Coutts won the event, Stage 5 of the 2004-’05 Swedish Match Tour, with a 3-2 victory over Australian Peter Gilmour of the Pizza-La Sailing Team.

Coutts also closed the gap on Tour leader Ed Baird (USA) of Team Alinghi. Coutts scored 25 points towards the Tour championship and has 70 points. He trails Baird, who placed fifth at the Toscana Elba Cup, by 5 points.

Gilmour, the reigning Tour champion, also closed his deficit on Baird. Gilmour earned 20 points for placing second and increased his total to 62 points, 13 points in arrears of Baird.

Coutts isn’t expected to compete on the Tour again until the season concluding Swedish Match Cup (July 4-10), so the championship will likely be decided between Baird and Gilmour, who will both compete next week at Stage 6 of the Tour season, Match Race Germany.

In the Petit Final, Spithill beat Holmberg 2-0 to place third, while Holmberg finished fourth in his first Tour event since last year’s Swedish Match Cup. Spithill finished with a 10-5 record while Holmberg was 7-8.

Final

Russell Coutts def. Peter Gilmour (yesterday)
Peter Gilmour def. Russell Coutts
Peter Gilmour def. Russell Coutts
Russell Coutts def. Peter Gilmour
Russell Coutts def. Peter Gilmour

Petit-final

James Spithill def. Magnus Holmberg (yesterday)
James Spithill def. Magnus Holmberg