America's Cup: Team NZ dominate Oracle for third straight win

Oracle Team USA skipper Jimmy Spithill prepares for a day on the water at the America's Cup. Photo/Ricardo Pinto

Team New Zealand have extended their lead over America's Cup defenders Oracle Team USA with their third straight win off Bermuda this morning (NZ time).

After controlling the start, TNZ helmsman Peter Burling had the nose of his ACC boat ahead around the first mark and extended his lead to 32 seconds, after counterpart Jimmy Spithill misjudged the third gate and needed an extra tack.

The Americans almost lost a man overboard on the third leg, when one of their grinders slid across the deck and, fortunately, into his position on the boat.

Another fine win and another vital point for #ETNZ in Race 3 of the @americascup match! 2-0 pic.twitter.com/8ku7MmsVFT

— EmiratesTeamNZ (@EmiratesTeamNZ) June 18, 2017

Emirates Team NZ were 42 seconds up at the fourth mark and Spithill tried to make up ground by initiating a tacking duel, but Burling wouldn't bite and continued to sail smoothly to the finish, eventually finishing 49 seconds clear.

"I thought the boat was going a lot better today," said Spithill afterwards. "We were able to get off the line well and get round that mark just in front, but unfortunately we just didn't pull that gybe off and they were able to roll us out of the gybe.

"It was a tight race, the boys kept fighting and we've just got to into this next one swinging."

Team NZ entered the second day of racing with a 1-0 lead in the first-to-seven format, after taking out both contests yesterday and quickly erasing the one-point deficit from Oracle's victory in the challenger qualifying series.

Conditions offered winds of 9-12 knots, similar to yesterday and right in the sweet spot for Team NZ's configuration. Oracle chose to use their high speed foils.

Today schedule
5.12am Emirates Team NZ beat Oracle Team USA by 49 secs
5.57am Oracle Team USA v Emirates Team NZ
Team NZ lead 2-0