America's Cup: Team NZ dominate day 1 of Saudi prelim regatta

Team New Zealand have gotten their America's Cup preliminary regatta in Saudi Arabia off to a flying start, winning two of the three fleet races on the opening day.

The Kiwi crew's pre-start manoeuvres were a leading factor in their two victories off Jeddah and ultimately saw them claim the first two races of the day. They had a strong chance to secure a clean sweep in the third race but a rare mistake saw them drop off their foils and struggle to regain flight.

Luna Rossa eventually claimed the third race while Team NZ settled for fifth but skipper Peter Burling said the team would take positives from a difficult day of sailing.

"It was a tricky day, we had to sail the boat incredibly accurately to remain on the foils," Burling said.

"Everything is a lot easier when you can do things on your own terms and are not tied up by other boats or being dictated to by other beats around you.

"The final race was disappointing, but obviously we are happy to be up the top of the leader board. In saying that, a four-point lead is not a big lead, especially with the way the points work in relation to placings. So, we need to keep minimising mistakes more than anyone else.

"It looks like we have more breeze for the next couple of days, so that will change the dynamics a bit, so the racing will be a lot livelier that's for sure."

American Magic will be hoping to breathe some life into their campaign after a horror opening day, finishing the day in dead last with just one point to their name.

After winning a preliminary regatta in Spain in September, The American syndicate was disqualified in two of the three races this morning.

The Saudi Arabia event is the second of three preliminary regattas ahead of New Zealand's defence of the Auld Mug next year.

There will be three more fleet races tonight (NZT) and two more on Saturday before head-to-head match racing to round out the regatta.

Team New Zealand - 22 points

Luna Rossa - 18 points

Alinghi Red Bull Racing - 15 points

Ineos Britannia - 15 points

Orient Express Racing team - 11 points

NYYC American Magic - 1 point