KEY POINTS:
Peter Lester struggled to fault Team New Zealand's performance in race one yesterday. But the commentator and former America's Cup sailor said if he wanted to be "really, really picky", perhaps their gybing and mainsail selection would be something to discuss in their debrief.
Team New Zealand's no-nonsense,
low-risk strategy proved successful in the opening race of the challenger series, claiming a nail-biting eight-second win over Luna Rossa.
Lester said the Kiwis did everything right in the opening race.
"There was not a mistake. Both teams were pretty flawless but New Zealand were more flawless because they got the right side, which you could put down the weather team. Dean Barker put the boat where he wanted to have it," said Lester.
"The only area I thought was still there was their gybes. They didn't have any gybing problems but I sucked my breath in a little bit each time."
On a few occasions in the round robins and semifinals, Team New Zealand were guilty of executing less than clinical gybes - when the boat changes direction downwind. One of their gybes also looked a bit ropy when they raced Alinghi this week.
"It may be something to do with the set up of the boat," Lester said. "It is very narrow. The mechanics in the middle of the boat perhaps make it a little tricky."
In yesterday's match, Lester also wondered if Team New Zealand had selected a mainsail too heavy for the conditions, which started at 14 to 15 knots but dropped to 10 as the race progressed.
"They had code three main on, which is the heaviest air main. As the wind decreased through the race, they were probably caught out with the wrong mainsail on. The boat probably felt a little bit out of whack."
Team New Zealand have made it clear their preference is to keep races to within a couple of boat lengths to keep control over their opponent. Big margins are more high risk and can lead to major gains and losses.
"The Kiwis played a low-risk, tough game," Lester said.
"They got the little jump they needed, they capitalised on that and then from there on in, they seemed to be hell-bent on not letting Luna Rossa go anywhere. They had to give away a little bit of their lead to do that though."
How race 1 unfolded
Prestart
Advantage Team New Zealand: 1s
While there was a lot of hype about the Dean Barker and James Spithill battle in the pre-start, race one proved to be low key.
In the four times the two sides have clashed over the last year, the team that has entered from the pin end has never won. Team New Zealand changed that yesterday.
Entering from the pin end and disadvantaged side, the Kiwis went for a shallow entry then headed into the dialup. Luna Rossa came out of the dialup relatively early which meant they were committed to one circle. They did a circle which gave the right to Team New Zealand. Luna Rossa wanted the left and gave the Kiwis the right. Team New Zealand crossed the line a second ahead of Luna Rossa on the right.
First beat
Advantage Team New Zealand: 12s
The defining moment was the first cross. After crossing the line both boats sailed on port for a long time. Team New Zealand picked their time to tack back to perfection. Luna Rossa had been going bow up, bow down - mode changing. Team New Zealand tacked back when Luna Rossa had gone bow down and were speed building.
The Kiwis got a bit of pressure and, when they met Team New Zealand, were bow forward. That was absolutely vital. Then they were able to track all the way to the top mark. They then got another little right hand shift near the top mark. There was nothing between the boats in terms of speed upwind.
First downwind leg
Advantage Team New Zealand: 9s
Downwind it was essentially even, although the trailing Luna Rossa did close the gap a bit.
It was interesting that Luna Rossa set up on the left hand side. Normally you set up on the right hand side to get the wind shadow. They wobbled round a bit then gybed away. It was then very difficult for them to get into a position to pass.
Second upwind leg
Advantage Team New Zealand: 11s
It was like the teams were connected by elastic. Team New Zealand would push ahead, Luna Rossa would reel them in. Team New Zealand tactician Terry Hutchinson has said his team prefers to keep their lead to within two boat lengths in order to keep a rein on their opponents.
That was illustrated today. If Team New Zealand are two lengths in the lead they look like they are comfortable. They look like they have really practised being in tight situations. They certainly play a tough, no-nonsense game.
Second downwind run
Team New Zealand win by 8s
Again Luna Rossa came back but Team New Zealand never looked like they were at risk. It was just close. Team New Zealand could have gone to the line but put in a last gybe.
The low-risk strategy is to stay in phase with the wind, which is what they were doing.
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