Photos: Best of the America's CupKEY POINTS:
On the tow in after yesterday's defeat, Team New Zealand mastman Matthew Mason reminded his team of the story of Australia II in 1983.
Down 3-1 against Dennis Conner's Liberty, the Australians fought back to win the America's Cup off Newport 4-3, a feat Mason's crewmates would now
have to pull off if they were to win back the Auld Mug.
"It is far from over yet," Mason, part of Team New Zealand's successful 1995 and 2000 cup campaigns, told them. "We are not going to lie down, that is for sure."
For Emirates Team NZ the most frustrating thing in race five and six was doing so much right but still not managing to beat the defenders.
In both races Team New Zealand started strongly, got the first shift and rounded the top mark ahead. Usually in such tight match races that would be enough to win, but on both occasions mistakes were their downfall.
The small tactical blunder in race six was nowhere near as spectacular as their spinnaker blowout in race five but it was equally as damaging.
The key to success in yesterday's race was placing the boat in the best pressure.
Having led the Swiss around the first two marks, Team New Zealand made a mistake on the second beat. Rounding a different mark from the Swiss at the bottom gate, they headed up the left side and Alinghi the right.
Initially it looked good for the Kiwis, but some pressure came through on the right which Alinghi tactician Brad Butterworth had spotted and Team New Zealand had not.
A tacking duel ensued, Alinghi gained and forced New Zealand to tack to leeward.
The Swiss rounded the second windward mark 16 seconds ahead. Team New Zealand made inroads but but could not find a way past.
"It is just tough," Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker said.
"For a long time we felt pretty good about life and were still going to be in control of the race. But it just wasn't to be. A little bit of pressure and a little bit of shift goes a long way in those conditions.
"We thought we sailed a very good race and the result just did not go our way. The guys at Alinghi are just doing it a little bit better at the moment. They are making the most of the opportunities that are there."
Again the boats looked even in the light conditions.
Butterworth said there is always an element of luck. "Unless you have a crystal ball which tells you or you can see the weather buoys you just don't know."
Barker wasn't giving up on winning the cup back for New Zealand.
"It is hard losing races," he said. "We have led in three from six around the top mark and the score line is 2-4. They have done a better job at converting their percentages than we have.
"While there is a chance, we are still a dangerous team. I have complete confidence in the guys and our entire team. I believe we are good enough to get ourselves back in it.
"It is a big ask. We are up against a very strong team. But while there is a chance, we'll be right there."
