After their race one defeat Team New Zealand pitman Barry McKay announced it was game on.
This proved correct as Emirates Team New Zealand scored a come-from-behind win to beat Alinghi in race two of the America's Cup in Valencia early today.
Just when it was looking asthough the Swiss were set to notch up their second win against the Kiwis, Team New Zealand capitalised on an Alinghi error and fought back in the second beat to secure a 28-second win
The match is now tied up at 1-all heading to the first lay day. Race three is on early Wednesday (NZT).
In contrast to the opening day where the two teams faced moderate winds and extremely lumpy sea, the conditions today were lighter and the sea much flatter, conditions expected to favour Team New Zealand's NZL92.
Going into the match some wondered how the Swiss boat with his rounder hull sections would go in the lighter winds. The answer? Just fine.
The Kiwis did everything right in the opening stages. Dean Barker nullified the Swiss starboard advantage and won the favoured right-hand side in what was an aggressive start.
The Kiwis came off the line and worked their way out to a narrow lead. But Alinghi got SUI100 rumbling, forcing New Zealand to tack away. Alinghi's speed off the line was again impressive.
At the first cross Alinghi were a comfortable two boat lengths ahead.
"Alinghi are going like a train," Swedish sailor Magnus Holmberg commented. Alinghi rounded the top mark 19s ahead. Early in the downwind leg Alinghi skipper Brad Butterworth was heard cursing the spectators who were travelling too fast and too close to the course which was affecting the Swiss.
The Swiss who recovered well and rounded 13 seconds ahead. The second upwind beat was where it all happened. Alinghi opted for a loose cover on the Kiwis up the beat. The Swiss failed to react to the Kiwis who were sailing in high mode which allowed them to sail past.
Alinghi found themselves on the layline and the Kiwis found themselves in better pressure. Butterworth was seen looking mildly concerned.
The Kiwis rounded the weather mark 15s ahead, giving them a 28s gain. For Team New Zealand fans the final run was almost too much to bear as the white spinnaker of the Swiss boat closed in. However it was Team New Zealand's day today.
"No man love," Team New Zealand boss Grant Dalton told his team as they crossed the line.
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