Emirates Team New Zealand have made the perfect start to their defence of the America's Cup, sweeping the opening two races against challengers INEO Britannia off Barcelona.
While much of the pre-series attention was centred on gaining an advantage on the startline, the Kiwis showed they didn't necessarily need that early advantage to prevail out on the racecourse.
Here's how they achieved their two victories on day one:
The Kiwis have grabbed an early advantage off Barcelona. (Source: Supplied)
Race one
NZ win by 41 seconds (1-0)
After winning the coin toss the previous day, the Kiwis entered the start box from the port side and gained an immediate upperhand, when their rivals had a battery issue, fell off their foils and entered late. From that point, New Zealand dominated the pre-start and hit the line 2-3 knots faster at the favoured end, grabbing an immediate 50-metre advantage.
The British tracked them to the left of the course and then right, losing ground down the first leg. They tacked back to the left, where the pressure was best, but Taihoro covered them and by the time they reached the first mark, the margin was 24 seconds and more than 200 metres.
Britannia has been rapid downwind, reaching 55 knots during their challenger final win over Luna Rossa, and they cut the deficit to 15 seconds by the second mark, but never came close to making up the difference. By the finish, the distance was 400 metres.
Conditions looked marginal at the start, but race committee kept extending the course, as the wind picked up.
Britain reached a top speed of 41.3 knots and averaged slightly faster than their rivals, but the Kiwis sailed more efficiently.
"Probably not the most straightforward race, but it was awesome to get a great start and control it," reflected helmsman Peter Burling. "You're always nervous sitting in no wind for so long before the start and wondered whether it would die completely out again, but awesome breeze and awesome way to kick it off."
Race Two
New Zealand win by 27 seconds (2-0)
The British had port entry and tried to dictate terms, but Team NZ were able to stay close and minimise any advantage on the startline. The challengers went left, the Kiwis right and they led at the first cross midcourse.
The lead changed a couple of times down the opening leg, but NZ reached the mark seven seconds up. Downwind, Britannia gained initiative back, but whichever boat took the right side of the course made gains and Taihoro still led at the second mark.
As the breeze dropped down the third leg, the British could not make up the deficit down the right and crossed 75 metres behind, and they never retook the lead, as it ballooned out beyond 400 metres.
"It was super shifty and, with these clouds around, it was really hard to see what the breeze was going to do," said Burling. "We did a great job, as a crew, just talking through it and taking some smart options.
"Pretty tight in that last one, but great to get another win on the board. A nice way to start."
The teams race twice more on Monday (NZ time), before two rest days, with racing resuming on Thursday.
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