Team New Zealand took back the lead when the boats rounded the top mark side by side for the final time. But Patriot regained the lead on the last, downwind leg, hitting 47.37 knots (54.5 mph) — the highest speed of the day — to win by 12 seconds.
New Zealand looked strong in its first race against Luna Rossa.
The New Zealand yacht Te Rehutai — the indigenous Maori word for sea spray — achieved speeds of almost 45 knots (51 mph) downwind and 36 knots (40 mph) upwind, literally flying over the water of the Hauraki Gulf.
After a tight pre-start Team New Zealand was faster off the line and was already ahead of Luna Rossa when the boats crossed tacks for the first time on the first upwind leg. Helmsman Peter Burling said New Zealand picked up a wind shift on the left of the course, another on the right "and from then on on our boat it was just a matter of sailing round and trying to connect the dots."
One of the major points of interest in Thursday's racing was to see whether in these extremely fast, high-tech yachts the basic principles of match racing still apply. From its inception in 1856 when the schooner America beat the British defender to claim the trophy for the United States, the Cup has been about match-racing, one yacht against another.
Yacht racing experts were closely watching Thursday to see whether match racing is necessary or even possible in the latest class of America's Cup boats, which can attain speeds of almost 60 mph.
The race between American Magic and Team New Zealand emphatically answered that question. It was match racing in every sense but at a heightened level. Barker protected his lead by covering every move of his New Zealand counterpart and picked wind shifts the New Zealanders missed.
The crew work of the Americans also was impeccable while Team New Zealand made several errors under pressure.
The America's Cup World Series does not count towards the America's Cup regatta which begins with the challenger series in January and February, followed by the Cup match between the defender and top challenger in March. All racing will be held in Auckland.
- AP
Course for day two: Bastion Point (Course C)
Schedules
December 18
Race 1 - Luna Rossa vs American Magic (15:12)
Race 2 - Team New Zealand vs INEOS Team UK (15:50)
Race 3 - American Magic vs Luna Rossa (16:40)
Race 4 - INEOS Team UK vs Team New Zealand (17:20)
December 19
Race 1- Luna Rossa vs American Magic (15:12)
Race 2 - Team New Zealand vs INEOS Team UK (15:50)
Race 3 - American Magic vs Luna Rossa (16:40)
Race 4 - INEOS Team UK vs Team New Zealand (17:20)
December 20
Race 1- Semifinal 1: Top qualifier v 4th qualifier (15:12)
Race 2 - Semifinal 2: 2nd qualifier v 3rd qualifier (15:50)
Race 3 - Race-off for third: Loser Semifinal 1 v Loser Semifinal 2 (16:40)
Race 4 - Final: Winner Semifinal 1 v Winner Semifinal 2 (17:20)
Odds
TAB odds - Luna Rossa v American Magic
American Magic - $1.35
Luna Rossa - $2.90
TAB odds - Team New Zealand v Team UK
Team New Zealand - $1.04
Team UK - $8
TAB odds after day one – Christmas Race winner
Team New Zealand – $1.45
Luna Rossa – $4.50
American Magic – $5
INEOS Team UK – $15
How to watch and stream
The Herald will have live updates on nzherald.co.nz/sport while you can listen to live commentary on Gold AM and iHeartRadio.
America's Cup coverage is live and free-to-air on TVNZ. You can also live stream the action on TVNZ.co.nz or on the America's Cup official YouTube channel.
Enjoy smooth sailing to the Cup with Auckland Transport
• Avoid traffic congestion and parking niggles and download the AT Mobile app to plot your bus, train or ferry ride to race venues before you leave home.
• Make sure your AT HOP card is in your pocket. It's the best way to ride to the Cup
• For more ways to enjoy race day, visit at.govt.nz/americascup
