Team New Zealand win Gothenburg regatta

Emirates Team New Zealand celebrates their victory in Gothenburg.

Team New Zealand have vaulted to the top of the America's Cup World Series leaderboard after taking out the Gothenburg regatta with a nerveless performance on the final day.

Placed third after the opening day of racing, Emirates Team New Zealand were left with a bit of work to do on day two, in what proved a difficult day on the tight race course, with light and shifty conditions.

But the Kiwis, led by skipper Glenn Ashby and prodigy helmsman Peter Burling showed no fear, posting a 2-1 scoreline in the two double-point races.

"It was a tricky afternoon, but our guys had a forecast for it being light like this for quite a few days, so we've been preparing for it since we arrived," Burling said.

"We're really happy to put together two solid races today and to perform under pressure in that last one is very satisfying."

Sunday's leader, Oracle Team USA, came in to the day on the back of a perfect scoreline in the first two races. But today was a different story.

Two fourth place finishes dropped the Cup holders to second place.

"We're disappointed," said skipper Jimmy Spithill.

"We were having a very difficult time speed-wise and with our technique in the lighter winds. We felt good when the breeze was up and we were on the foils. So we have to get back to work."

In the first race of the day the local favourites Artemis Racing got off to a strong start and by the bottom mark had picked up a puff which eluded the fleet and were away to take a significant win to put them right back in the hunt for the overall win after an indifferent first day.

But it was the order of the following boats in race one which really set the foundation for a dramatic final race.

A pre-start penalty, which, resulted in Team NZ being last off the start line they managed to graft their way back through the fleet to cross the finish line in second, ahead of Ben Ainslie Racing and Oracle Team USA.

The mathematical equation of this meant all three teams, Team NZ, BAR & Oracle were all tied on points, and Artemis Racing just two points adrift setting up what was effectively a winner takes all final race between the four teams.

Oracle had a strong start, and a good lead by the bottom mark two. Team NZ rounded in third place 100 metres behind the leaders.

The key to the race, and effectively winning the regatta came on leg three, when Team NZ split from the leaders at the bottom gate.

"We planned that from a long way out, we had a long chat amongst the guys and took the right hand gate even though it looked pretty bad for a long time, but we knew we were going to have a couple less tacks and have better pressure for that whole upwind but also get that right hand side at the top," said Burling

Converging at the top mark, Team NZ rolled the Americans to round the top mark in front closely in front of Softbank Team Japan.

From this point on Glenn Ashby and crew extended their lead, never comfortable, but in control.

"There were plenty of snakes and ladders out there, plenty of opportunity and also room for going backwards quickly as well. But we were really happy with the way we sailed but a fantastic result for us," said Ashby.

Team NZ are the only team to have been in the top three in every race of the 2015 World Series, and as a result have a seven point lead overall in the series, ahead of Land Rover BAR & Oracle Team USA.

Gotenburg results
Emirates Team NZ - 54
ORACLE TEAM USA - 48
Land Rover BAR - 46
SoftBank Team Japan - 43
Artemis Racing - 42
Groupama Team France 37

Overall standings after two events
Emirates Team New Zealand - 72
Land Rover BAR - 65
ORACLE TEAM USA - 64
SoftBank Team Japan - 56
Artemis Racing - 53
Groupama Team France - 50