KEY POINTS:
Every now and then sport fans witness moments which leave them shaking their heads in disbelief.
That was probably the reaction of many Team New Zealand fans this morning after Dean Barker completely mistimed the start and trailed Victory Challenge over the line by 18 seconds - a lifetime in America's Cup yachting.
Impressively Team New Zealand fought back and powered pass the Swedes on the first downwind run and sailed out to a comfortable 34s victory.
In other races of interest this morning Oracle beat Desafio Espanol by 55s and Luna Rossa held off a late charge from fellow Italians Mascalzone Latino to win by 7 seconds.
Team NZ's race showed that BMW Oracle Racing are not the only team who can rely on boat speed to get them out of less than ideal situations.
Emirates Team New Zealand will now square off against Chris Dickson's BMW Oracle Racing tonight which will determine who will finish as the top challenger and earn the right to choose their semifinal opponent.
Team New Zealand's win over Victory Challenge also pleased the Spanish as it means hometown favourites Desafio Espanol have now secured the final semifinal spot.
So elated were the Spanish journalists that they stuck a big picture of Barker up on the wall.
But it was Barker's start rather than his finish that was the talking point of the day.
Team New Zealand trailed Victory Challenge back to the line and looked like they were going to start alongside them.
However they then decided to veer off towards the committee boat seconds from the gun.
When the gun went Team New Zealand were a country mile from the start line while Magnus Holmberg's Swedes powered over claiming a good two to three boat length advantage along the way.
"Deano wasn't very happy with himself after that," Team New Zealand's Tony Rae said.
"I guess it was a judgement issue. I guess he realised that as soon as he turned up that the timing was out. It is a very small timing issue that can put you a long way back.
"We had to make the most out that start and try and chip away up the beat. The plan after that was to be as close as him around the top."
With Team New Zealand breathing down their neck, Victory Challenge rounded the top mark 10 seconds ahead. The Swedes then made a mistake on the run, gybing out to the middle of the course.
Team New Zealand stayed on the right, picked up better breeze and pushed passed the Swedes to round the gate 8 seconds ahead. They extended to 21s at the next mark and 34s on the final run.
Rae said the team were looking forward to their final round robin match against Oracle tonight (NZT).
"It is going to be another battle around the course. The conditions are great. It should be a great race."
