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VALENCIA - Team New Zealand are keeping their feet on the ground, but their defeat of America's Cup holders Alinghi today marked a number of firsts.
It was their first win over the Swiss syndicate, who whitewashed them 5-0 in relieving them of the Auld Mug in Auckland four years ago and who then won race one in the present series off Valencia.
It was also marked a personal milestone for mainsail trimmer Don Cowie.
"It obviously very important to win and to be 1-1 -- it means the America's Cup is best of seven, instead of best of nine," he said.
"It's great for a lot of the guys from the 2003 team to win a race off Alinghi. And for me, it's great, because I've never won a race in the America's Cup before."
Cowie, a 1992 Olympic silver medallist in the Star class with Team NZ afterguard coach Rod Davis, is into his seventh cup campaign.
He has been with five different syndicates, the last three being non-New Zealand challengers.
He said the mood was purposely subdued as NZL92 crossed the finish line, 28 seconds ahead of SUI100.
"You can't get caught in the hype of Valencia now and celebrate because you've won one race," he said.
"It's along way to go yet and against a tough team."
Cowie said Team NZ were happy that a lay day was scheduled tomorrow, as the race had been a tough one mentally and physically.
However, even if there was no sailing planned, it would still be back to work, with analysis and other preparation for race three early on Wednesday (NZ time).
On the Alinghi side, the result marked the first defeat in a cup race for a quintet of New Zealanders -- Brad Butterworth, Warwick Fleury, Dean Phipps, Murray Jones and Simon Daubney.
The five had won 16 in row, 10 of which were with Team NZ in 1995 and 2000.
Butterworth, Alinghi's skipper and tactician, said the Swiss syndicate always knew they would have a fight on their hands, but he also felt they should had gone 2-0 up.
The decisive moment was up the second beat, when Butterworth called a lee-bow tack on the opposition.
But Team NZ skipper Dean Barker held his nerve, and NZL92 was able to remain in the windward position without being adversely affected by the air off SUI100 and moved ahead.
Butterworth admitted that the tack came too early.
"We should have just pushed the tack a little closer and life would have been a bit easier," he said.
"As it was, they did a great job of coming in at a good moment, ramped us off, held us out to the layline and that was the end."
- NZPA
