America's Cup blog: Oracle 1, Team NZ 0

BMW Oracle Racing 1

Emirates Team New Zealand 0

Well the much-awaited clash between BMW Oracle Racing and Emirates Team New Zealand started off with a hiss and a roar.

It was chaos.

The start was dominated by the starboard end boat (Oracle) being able to push the action to the leeward end. Chris Dickson was completely in control.

Dickson had the start but made a small error and missed getting over the line which meant Oracle forced Team New Zealand out beyond the port end.

As it turned out Team New Zealand were very lucky in that they could get back back to the line easier than Oracle.

The initial signs looked good for Team New Zealand. But in the last half of the beat Oracle chewed them up.

Some of it would have been windshifts. But Team New Zealand weren't going fast enough. In that condition the way Oracle caught them up, passed them and sailed past them --- they were faster.

Oracle went on to win by 38 seconds.

The New Zealanders looked on the back foot speed-wise which puts you on the back foot tactically.

Team New Zealand finish round robin on third.

They have to be really concerned. If they can't pick it up from there they are in trouble. Starting must a be a concern for them. A bigger concern will be the fact they are off the pace.