With Team NZ leading the America's Cup 5-3, two wins today will secure the Auld Mug. Can the Kiwis do it? Will the weather be a factor? Mark Orams joins Alex Chapman to look at all of the news ahead of races 9 & 10. Video / NZ Herald / Getty Images / Photosport
Team New Zealand helmsman Peter Burling admits he thought there was no way back in Monday's epic second race against Luna Rossa.
The Kiwi syndicate trailed by two kilometres – equivalent to more than four and a half minutes – halfway through the race, sat marooned in the water as they watched the Italians fly up the course.
In light winds Team New Zealand's gamble on a complicated gybe halfway down the second leg had backfired, and they crashed off the foils.
They eventually got going again but faced a huge deficit and while the team never gave up, it felt like the die was cast.
Team New Zealand stops during America's Cup race eight against Luna Rossa. Photo / Getty
"We gave them a pretty good opportunity and we really needed a mistake from the Luna Rossa guys," reflected Burling. "We didn't really think it was going to happen ... but [sometimes it's] better to be lucky than good."
Team New Zealand kept on sailing – more in hope than real expectation – then watched the Italians mess up their final tack before the third gate in admittedly tricky conditions.
"For us as a team we just kept fighting on," said Burling. "It was a pretty amazing effort by the whole team, especially the grinding group, to get our boat back up on the foil, even when we are four minutes behind or something and just keep charging forward."
"We all knew it would just take one mistake by Luna Rossa to end up off the foils, and then as soon as we overtook them we knew that it would be one mistake by us and they would take us again."
"So [it was] definitely the more tense side of racing, when you know every manoeuvre is supercritical to keeping your boat on the foil and if you do fall off, you might not be able to take back off."
Flight controller Blair Tuke agreed that the race, which seemed to stop the nation on Monday evening, was one of the most dramatic moments of their storied careers.
"It is certainly right up there, to have such big lead changes," said Tuke. "To have the boat so close to the edge of foiling, adds to the drama. For Pete and I, I guess we have had a few of those here on the Hauraki Gulf, we had some close ones in the 49ers (world championships) a year ago."
The unexpected turnaround means the Italians are on the precipice at 5-3 down, needing to win at least one race today to stay alive and four of the last five to take the Cup. But Burling is adamant the equation – or Team New Zealand's approach – doesn't really change.
Team New Zealand members celebrate after America's Cup Race seven. Photo / Getty
"I don't think the pressure ever comes off, until you have done the last race," said Burling.
"We were pretty happy to come away with the win – it's not often you end up that far behind and Luna Rossa was sailing incredibly well in the first half of that race. We just managed to get one opportunity and get our foot back in the door."
"We are in a good situation to keep improving and keep learning. We know we have to keep doing that because Luna Rossa will keep throwing everything at us. We just have to keep improving."
Heading to the Cup racing?
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