KEY POINTS:
With the America's Cup match tied, it appears SUI100 and NZL92 have strengths in different conditions.
Emirates Team New Zealand, who clawed their way back yesterday to secure an important 28s win over Alinghi, will head into race three tonight comfortable with their speed against the Swiss boat in lighter conditions.
While Team NZ's race two victory derived from a tactical mistake by the Swiss, the change in conditions also appeared to work in the black boat's favour.
In the race, the wind was a bit lighter and the sea a little bit flatter, making the boats look reasonably even. The conditions were perhaps more typical of those experienced in Valencia around this time of the year.
SUI100 appeared to be fractionally quicker than the Kiwis upwind on the first beat, although boat positioning may have been the reason for that.
Downwind, Team NZ were faster, gaining 6s on the first run and 13s on the second.
SUI100 looked better in race one where the wind was around 13 knots and the sea state extremely lumpy. Downwind, the rounder Swiss boat surfed down the waves better than New Zealand's narrow NZL92.
In different conditions, the performance of the boats will be different again.
It means the conditions could play a crucial role in the outcome of this America's Cup.
So going into race three tonight, Team NZ fans should start praying for lighter winds, while the Swiss should be asking for stronger winds.
Alinghi skipper/tactician Brad Butterworth said that conclusion could be easily drawn.
"Probably both teams think a little bit in that respect but maybe a couple of things went our way yesterday, and today a couple of things went against us and vice versa," he said.
"Looking at it, the boats have been reasonably even.
"We caught some good waves and managed to stretch quite a bit on the second run [in race one].
"Other than that, we have been pretty close in performance. It is like one design but these two design teams have come up with slightly different boats. I think they are the two best boats in the contest. It has made for a great event," Butterworth said.
After two races, Team New Zealand runner Tony Rae said the crew felt comfortable against the much-hyped-up SUI100.
"We are pretty happy that we are even in speed and that it has really come down to a race on the water.
"It is a matter of working the shifts, sailing in pressure and coming off the line well and being able to use what you have got out there.
"There are little gains to be made and, if you can make a little gain, it can turn into a race won in the end."
In race two, the Kiwis capitalised on some loose sailing by the Swiss and powered into the lead on the second upwind leg. On the final run, they sailed perfectly to claim a comfortable win.
Team NZ strategist Ray Davies said the victory was an important one.
"It was huge for the team to come back from behind," he said.
"It has been a long time coming for Team NZ to get a win on the board in the America's Cup."
