America's Cup: How Burling hoodwinked Spithill on starts

Team New Zealand helmsman Peter Burling was apparently ordered to under-perform during the start of earlier races as part of a plan to outfox Oracle's Jimmy Spithill in the finals series.

As the country held its breath at Emirates Team New Zealand's inconsistent performances during the Louis Vuitton regatta, it now seems Burling had it under control all along.

In fact, the Team New Zealand helmsman had been ordered to bluff his abilities at the starting box before unleashing hell on Spithill, it's been reported.

It appeared Burling had made swift developments in his match-racing, especially the start, over the course the series.

Historically Oracle and Spithill have been impressive starters in match racers, but instead Burling thrashed the master at his own game, getting across the line first in seven of their nine races.

In an interview with Italian newspaper La Stampa, Team New Zealand principal Matteo de Nora revealed they bluffed their patchy starts in an attempt to hide the syndicate's real talents on the water.

"He was always stronger during the start than what he was showing," he said.

"He was told not to be too impetuous."

It was Team New Zealand's speed that afforded them the luxury of beating opponents despite mixed performances at the start line.

De Nora heaped praise on the team, telling Le Stampa the courage to innovate the boat and push the boundaries of sailing were the key to Team New Zealand's success.

He said Team New Zealand revolutionised their syndicate, from their philosophy on racing to who they approached for sponsorship, with the idea of bicycles on board changing the America's Cup and yacht racing forever.

He revealed their success stemmed from the belief in each and every individual on the team, "in particular Grant Dalton, skipper Glenn Ashby, Peter Burling and the other 83 team members".