KEY POINTS:
Team New Zealand claimed their first big scalp this morning beating Luna Rossa by a comfortable 36 seconds.
In a full on pre-start Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker got the better of his rival James Spithill starting to the left of him on what appeared to be
an even line.
The two were neck and neck up the first beat engaging in a mammoth tacking battle which saw 26 tacks in 16 minutes.
Slowly Team New Zealand's NZL92 edged ahead. Team New Zealand rounded the first mark 17 seconds ahead.
On the first run Team New Zealand tactician Terry Hutchinson and navigator Kevin Hall were often spotted looking behind them ready to fend of an attack by Spithill.
It did not come as Team New Zealand rounded the gate 18 seconds ahead. The Luna Rossa boat ITA94 appeared to struggle in the 11-13 knot breeze.
By the top mark Team New Zealand had pushed out to a four-boat length lead and rounded 23 seconds ahead which they extended on the final run to win by 36 seconds.
It was an important win for the New Zealand team who seem to be growing in confidence each day.
"It is nice to win a race like that," Team New Zealand runner/pit Tony Rae said.
"We managed to get a really nice start and make a nice little gain. You have really just got to keep plugging away.
"All the races from now on in are going to be close like that. You don't expect anymore than that with these nice sea breezes we are getting now."
Team New Zealand face Victory Challenge tonight. If they win that race and Chris Dickson's BMW Oracle Racing beat Desafio Espanol, it will set up a titanic battle between the two on Wednesday night which will determine the top challenger and the team that earns the right to chose their semifinal opponent.
"We are here to win the America's Cup," said BMW Oracle Racing tactician Gavin Brady.
"To do that, first you have to win the Louis Vuitton Cup. Winning the round robins is neither here nor there, really.
"For sure, we are out there to win. Psychologically it would be nice to win the round robins. That would provide a feel good factor, but in the end it is not the main objective."