Sailing: Good start for Peter Burling and Team New Zealand in Bermuda practice race

Team New Zealand helmsman Peter Burling. Photo / File

Team New Zealand have impressed in their first showdown on the water in Bermuda, beating America's Cup pace-setters Artemis in an official practice race on Saturday.

After launching their America's Cup Class (ACC) race boat in Bermuda last weekend, the Kiwi team were able to recommission the boat in time to take part in the final day of practice racing.

The Kiwi syndicate had a convincing win over Swedish team Artemis before toppling French team Groupama in their second match-up. The only blip on Team New Zealand's record was a loss to Team Japan, skippered by Dean Barker, in their race.

Tauranga's Peter Burling, who deposed Barker at the helm of Team NZ, said the crew were extremely happy with their first proper hit-out.

"We had a few little stuff-ups there, but Team Japan were sailing really well today and they beat Jimmy [Spithill] and the Oracle guys by quite a bit as well," Burling told Tony Veitch on Newstalk ZB.

"It was really good to check-in and make sure we're in the ballpark in terms of speed, and it seems we are, so we're really happy with that. But days like today really highlight the areas you've got to improve on.

"We've just got to keep focusing on how to make the boat go quicker, make our manoeuvres tidier and get the boat around the race track quicker. And we know all the teams will be focused on that as well, it is about who can improve the most over the next month."

Burling said Team New Zealand, like other syndicates, did not reveal all their cards in their first practice racing session.

"We're definitely not showing all our cards yet, but we feel like we're in a really good space to move forward and improve. We're learning very quickly a few of the things that [the other teams] have been doing really well up here," he said.

"We don't have the boat fully wound up yet, and there's a few things the other guys aren't showing as well, but we're pretty happy with where we checked in. Today has been really positive to say the least."