Rider 17 December: World premiere of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King in Wellington Internet See: NZ Internet History Sport Athletics Todd Stevens wins his first national title in the men's marathon, clocking 2:30:09 on 3 May in Rotorua, while Maree Turner claims her first in the women's championship (2:55:40). Basketball The NBL won by the Wellington Saints who beat the Waikato Titans 97–88 in the final. The Women's NBL was won by the Wellington Swish who beat the Waikato Lady Titans 86–82 in the final Horse racing Harness racing New Zealand Trotting Cup – Just an Excuse Auckland Trotting Cup – Elsu New Zealand Free For All – Jack Cade Motor racing 12 October – Scott Dixon wins the 2003 Indy Racing League Championship Netball The 11th Netball World Championships were held in Kingston, Jamaica. New Zealand won, beating Australia in the final. Rugby union 11 October – Auckland defeat Canterbury to win the Ranfurly Shield, ending Canterbury's run of 23 defences. 11 October – New Zealand beat Italy (70–7) in pool D of the Rugby World Cup 17 October – New Zealand beat Canada (68–6) in pool D of the Rugby World Cup 24 October – New Zealand beat Tonga (91–7) in pool D of the Rugby World Cup 2 November – New Zealand beat Wales (53–37) in pool D of the Rugby World Cup, finishing top of pool D 8 November – New Zealand beat South Africa (29–9) in the first quarter-final of the Rugby World Cup 15 November – New Zealand lose to Australia (10–22) in the first semi-final of the Rugby World Cup 20 November – Playoff: (Loser SF1 v Loser SF2) New Zealand beat France (40–13) to take 3rd place in the Rugby World Cup Rugby league Bartercard Cup won by Canterbury Bulls The New Zealand Warriors finished 6th (of 15 teams) in the minor premiership, qualifying for the finals series, where they won two games before losing the preliminary final to minor premieres the Penrith Panthers. Shooting Ballinger Belt – Ian Shaw (United Kingdom) Ross Geange (Masterton), fourth, top New Zealander Soccer New Zealand National Soccer League won by Miramar Rangers The Chatham Cup is won by University-Mount Wellington who beat Melville United 3–1 in the final. Yachting 19 January – Swiss yacht Alinghi, skippered by Russell Coutts, beats Oracle BMW Racing 4–1 to win the Louis Vuitton Cup