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The underdogs came out on top in day three of the semifinals in Valencia with Desafio Espanol claiming their first victory over Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa beating BMW Oracle Racing.
On a day where winning the start and the first cross meant everything Team New Zealand copped a penalty in the prestart then opted for the wrong side of the course.
The Spanish led Team New Zealand around the top mark by 14s. The Kiwis came powering back on the run to round the leeward gate just 8 seconds behind.
However the Spanish gained on the second beat after which their lead was never threatened. They won by a comfortable 1 minute 14s.
"The only thing that went right today was the wind," Emirates Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker said.
"We were on the left."
"We knew they were going to be aggressive [in the prestart] and I think that is probably a trait of their team. We figure the best way to match that aggression is to be aggressive ourselves.
"This particularly start didn't work out as well as we would have liked. We still came off the line in the position we wanted to be in. It just didn't go our way today with the strategy for the first beat."
Barker said the right wasn't that strong prior to the start but as" the sea breeze filled it went right."
Team New Zealand hold a 2-1 lead over the Spanish in the best of nine race semifinal series.
In the other match Luna Rossa helmsman James Spithill pulled off another stunning start which saw his team pick up their second win over Chris Dickson's BMW Oracle Racing.
In the pre-start it looked like Spithill was going to push Oracle over the line early but instead he tacked off and headed for the committee boat end leaving Dickson downspeed and at the less favoured pin end.
Luna Rossa's lead was comfortable throughout the race. The won by 31 seconds.
"Today we really went out to show what we are made of," Spithill said.
"A result like yesterday can crumble a weaker team or make a team one stronger. We spoke a lot last night about our downwind strategy and decided to focus on boat handling. Today the handling was great and it allowed us to keep BMW Oracle in check.
"The weather team, and the afterguard made a great call for the right hand side and did a great job. I have full confidence in the whole team. The guys told me to put the boat where I wanted and that they would deliver. And so they did. I am really happy with our performance."
Luna Rossa have a 2-1 lead in the series. Teams now have a day off. Race four of the series is on Friday night (NZT).
