Editorial: Kiwis right the boat and looking good

what a spectacle the America's Cup continues to be. Photo / ACEA 2017 / Photo Gilles Martin-Raget

Opinion

So far, so good. Emirates Team New Zealand have won a place in the finals for the Louis Vuitton Cup in fine style.

To recover from a capsize as they did, leaves them looking stronger for the experience, even if the boat needs more attention today. Peter Burling and his crew are distinctly younger than others at Bermuda and learn fast.

They wanted a lesson in starting tactics from the master, Sir Ben Ainslie, when they chose to race the British in the semifinal series, and it proved to be a hard lesson.

But after they pitch-poled in Ainslie's wake at the start of the fourth race, he also gave them a lesson in sporting values, sending his chase boat back to see whether the Kiwis needed any assistance.

The mishap was probably a lesson to the regatta organisers too.

In Tuesday's wind strength and choppy sea, it is doubtful these flying boats should have been out there scooting around the course on their foils. But what a spectacle the America's Cup continues to be.

As the British bowed out yesterday, Ainslie promised they would be back. As the original manufacturers of the Auld Mug, they have decided it is rightfully theirs.

It will be good to see them in Auckland.

But there is a way to go yet for Team NZ at Bermuda. Tomorrow, wind permitting, the challengers' final series begins and both contenders for the other slot look fast.

But it's all just rehearsal for the real test where the dice is loaded against us.