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Team New Zealand felt at home off Valencia today as they confirmed their place in the final of the America's Cup challengers' series with victory in the roughest weather of the yachting regatta so far.
Team NZ got the win they needed to eliminate Spain's Desafio Espanol 5-2
from the Louis Vuitton Cup.
Team NZ have just over a week to prepare for the best-of-nine showdown with Luna Rossa beginning on June 2 (NZT).
The Italians have had two extra days to get themselves ready after they finished off American syndicate Oracle Racing 5-1 on Monday.
Tactician Terry Hutchinson said Team NZ would have a couple of days' break before turning their attention to the final in earnest.
"At this stage of the competition, rest is as much a vital part of our preparation as things we can do to our boat."
He said the fact that Team NZ were able to airfreight both their yachts -- NZL92, which they have used exclusively in the LV Cup so far, and NZL84 -- from Auckland meant they had been able to get in extra sailing practice.
"So we've got a pretty good handle on things we can do to our boat to match Prada (Luna Rossa)."
The win that sealed Team NZ's passage into the next stage of their campaign to regain the America's Cup was built on a fine start.
Skipper Dean Barker blocked counterpart Karol Jablonski out beyond the committee boat during the pre-start, allowing him to pick his time to approach the line.
When Barker crossed, he was already three boat lengths ahead, an advantage that was extended up the first beat.
Both crews were soaked by the one-metre swell and the short, sharp waves, but the Spanish also copped plenty of water in their cockpit on the opening leg, and two of their crew used buckets to bail it out.
The images were ironic, given Team NZ's similar experience four years ago with the ill-fated NZL82 when they lost the Auld Mug to Alinghi.
There was a brief hiccup as NZL92 rounded the top mark 38sec ahead, with bowman Jeremy Lomas suffering a finger injury as big wave hit.
After first aid from crewmate Tony Rae, Lomas continued on, helping Team NZ to make gains over the each of the succeeding legs.
In contrast to the joyful celebrations on ESP97 when Desafio grabbed their second upset win on Monday, there were just handshakes as NZL92 crossed the line.
Asked by an overseas journalist if the understated reaction was a sign of "Kiwi culture", Hutchinson, an American, said it was possibly an indication of relief.
While many commentators had expected Team NZ to get past Desafio with ease, the New Zealand camp had been preparing to go the full nine races.
But Hutchinson also said Team NZ aimed to be "as flatline as we can be", whether the result.
"To me, the feeling was much the same as it was two days ago when the lost a race," he said.
"There's a reason to feel good and be happy about the success we had today on the race course but we're aware of what's ahead of us. Everybody is happy, but I don't expect to see any of us doing cartwheels."
For Desafio, a new syndicate, elimination couldn't wipe away the sense of achievement, not just in attaining their goal of making the semifinals, but also in taking two wins off Team NZ.
"Before the semifinals started, nobody thought we were going to make it to Tuesday, that we were going to get any points," skipper Karol Jablonski said.
"We managed to take two races and I'm very happy with the performance of the team."
- NZPA
