Team NZ start their quest for yachting's greatest prize

The Te Ika a Maui escorts NZL92 out to the race course last night. On board the yacht was Prime Minister Helen Clark. Photo / Chris Cameron

It was a day of firsts in Valencia.

It was the first day the sun had been out in about a month, the first race for Team New Zealand's NZL92 and the first time that Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker and managing director Grant Dalton had competed in the challenger series.

So it was only fitting that Emirates Team New Zealand lined up against Italy's Mascalzone Latino in the first race of the Louis Vuitton Cup.

On board for the race as the 18th crew member was Prime Minister Helen Clark.

She was confident her sea legs would hold up:

"As long as there is plenty of sea air out there I will be fine."

Just after midday in Valencia the tow rope was thrown from a chase boat to NZL92. The black boat eased away from the dock to the cheers of families of the 120- strong team.

NZL92 was joined by the waka Te Ika a Maui and 18 warriors.

The waka escorted the race boat up the canal. Half way up Hinewehi Mohi performed a karanga.

The warriors then farewelled the crew and NZL92 headed out to the course. The result came too late for this edition.

"I feel like we have done everything we can given the resources we have had," Barker said.

"I just want to get racing now. It is one of those things that has been on the horizon for so long now.

"I am a little bit anxious waiting to know where exactly we stand in life but I feel very confident in the way we have prepared."

Full coverage of the America's Cup from nzherald.co.nz/americascup and toyotadesktoptv.co.nz