'One last win' needed for Team NZ as Burling leads Team NZ to 4-2 in Challenger finals

Multimedia journalist·Bay of Plenty Times·

12 Jun, 2017 04:04 AM3 mins to read

Tauranga sailor and Team NZ helmsman Peter Burling on day two of the Louis Vuitton America's Cup Challenger Playoffs Finals in the 35th America's Cup 2017. Photo/Ricardo Pinto

Team New Zealand is "just one last win" away from an Oracle showdown after a close win against Artemis in the America's Cup race.

Oracle Team USA will face either Team NZ or Artemis in the America's Cup match, with the Kiwis leading 4-2.

The second day of Louis Vuitton final racing against Artemis had Team NZ pushed to the edge, but in the end, the Kiwi boat won the last two races to take a 4-2 lead.

Now it is a race to five wins, with Team New Zealand needing one more win over the Swedes.

Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club commodore Nick Wrinch said he had been getting up early to watch the America's Cup most mornings.

"It is a bit of a nerve-racking time of course," he said. "Nobody wants to say too much too soon."

Mr Wrinch said all Team New Zealand needed was "one win" in tomorrow's last three races. "Just one win and we will be fine."

He was not sure where he would watch the final event. "But if I am having to watch Artemis I am not sure I will be getting up that early," he joked.

Mr Wrinch said if it came down to the final event, he hoped to get the race showing at the yacht club.

"We are not sure if we would get the numbers and we do not have Sky coverage. But maybe we could plan to air it later on in the day or something."

Team New Zealand helmsman and Tauranga sailor Peter Burling made a mistake in this morning's racing which could have costed New Zealand the vital win.

Peter Burling admitted at a post-race press conference it was his blunder at the final gate that almost saw Artemis grabbing race victory.

"I think it possibly was not one of his finest moments," said Mr Wrinch. "But considering the pressure he is under, I guess we are all only human. I am sure he will come the wiser very soon."

Mr Wrinch knew Mr Burling on a personal level having watched the Tauranga sailor grow up at the club.

When asked if he had any advice for Mr Burling heading into the next round of racing, Mr Wrinch laughed and said he did not need to be passing on any advice to the Tauranga sailor.

"He is one of the best guys sailing around," said Mr Wrinch. "He takes it all in his stride and is a humble, neat guy. He is more than capable and certainly does not need any advice from us," he joked.

Mr Burling's parents were not able to be contacted.