Yachting: Team NZ undone before they crossed the startline

America's Cup defenders Alinghi outmuscled Emirates Team New Zealand in the pre-start, handing them their first loss in the match-racing regatta in Valencia.

Team NZ, who were due to race BMW Oracle Racing overnight, were outmanoeuvred by the Swiss afterguard headed by New Zealand tactician Brad Butterworth and American helmsman Peter Holmberg in the start which set Alinghi up for a 36s victory.

Although disappointed, Team NZ boss Grant Dalton said his team did not expect to come through the regatta unscathed. "Today was a reality check. We came here to measure our progress against the opposition since the regattas last year. We know we have a way to go.

"We didn't go out on the water today just to eat lunch. Nor when we lost the start did we sit back and wait for a miracle to happen. We went out to win, and we worked to make it happen.

"If there was something to learn, it was that if, on these short courses you let a class act get in front of you, there's little chance of getting back into the race."

In steady 17-knot winds, Alinghi dominated the favoured right side and stormed across the startline 4s ahead of the Kiwis.

At the first cross the Swiss held a boat-length lead which they extended to 31s at the first mark. Alinghi's lead was never threatened. They were up 25s at the second mark and 29s at the third.

Team NZ tactician Terry Hutchinson said they wanted the starboard side at the start because they knew whoever got that run would win the race. "We had good control of the pre-start until 1m 30s before the gun, then SUI75 got the upper hand and that was it.

"I can't say enough for the crew. The boat may have been slightly off the pace but that's not why we lost."

For Alinghi, the win possibly shows they are not as vulnerable as first thought following the departure of ace helmsman Russell Coutts, sacked from the syndicate last July. His exit had many wondering how the syndicate would cope without him behind the wheel and minus his expertise in yacht design.

"The goal is to win races, that's what we came here for," Alinghi runner/pitman New Zealander Dean Phipps said. "The big picture is still to do well and improve our team.

"Team NZ have dropped the hula, chopped the bow off and raised the stern, so we are also evaluating their performance compared to what we know about them from the last cup."

In their second race, Team NZ beat the new South African entry Shosholoza by four minutes.

Act five, a three-day fleet-racing regatta, starts on Friday.