America's Cup: Team NZ set the tone with perfect pair against Britannia

A perfect pair from Emirates Team New Zealand on day one of the 37th America’s Cup Match against INEOS Britannia has them firmly in control in Barcelona.

Taking a two nil lead in the first-to-seven affair confirms the pre series theories that Taihoro has gotten faster with calculated improvements and skipper Peter Burling’s crew would not suffer from any race rust.

It was a sailing clinic displayed by Team New Zealand in the first race - they hit the start line with only 3.5 metres spare traveling at over 35 knots, ultimately easing down on the line for a 41 second victory.

Britannia skipper Sir Ben Ainslie conceded his boat didn’t do too much wrong in race one outside of a tardy entry to the start box due to a battery complication, but was simply out-sailed by the Kiwis from in front.

The second duel of the day saw a captivating start with both teams sharing line honours before a tense arm-wrestle over multiple legs eventually landed the Kiwi boat in a position to again control the race from in front.

Separation was found by the New Zealanders on leg five, avoiding any holes of wind and finding a strong breeze on the left side of the course.

Using their advantage they got in phase immediately on leg seven, which became the clinching maneuver and had commentator Peter Lester declaring it, the move of the match.

“Obviously this morning we went out and it was pretty light so we were just hoping to get a bit of racing in, I think today is actually the first day we’ve felt actually ready to go and it was awesome to put down two good performances,” Kiwi ace Burling said.

“I think if you get off the start and you’re ahead it kind of makes your life a little bit easier, today was so shifty so if the lead boat got it right the trailing boat would have to try and make something happen and potentially lose a lot.”

The day started with an emotional bang at the aptly named ‘Kiwi Corner’ as thousands of New Zealand supporters braved the drizzly conditions to see Taihoro dock out for its first day of America’s Cup Match action and it was clearly noticed by Burling and his crew.

“Such a special moment, things like this morning with all of our friends and family around, everyone that’s supported us for the last four years in this campaign and every other Kiwi that’s in Barcelona I think.”

“Also to be led out by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei was really special as well and you know with a really cool karakia, it just set us up nicely for the day.”

Tomorrow the forecast predicts light winds leading to a suspicion from event officials there might not be enough puff to have racing started.

For Team NZ, building off today’s momentum whilst continuing to get faster is a priority. For Britannia, finding even more gains than they’ve managed during their Spanish campaign is imperative to keep their historic America’s Cup dream alive.

Photos: Georgia Schofield, Photosport.