KEY POINTS:
Team New Zealand's winning streak came to an end this morning when they were beaten by Luna Rossa in day 10 of the Louis Vuitton Cup.
The New Zealanders picked up an easy two points in their first race of the day in Valencia after China Team pulled
out.
The Chinese damaged their boat the day before and decided it wasn't worth risking further damage and withdrew from both of their races.
The default allowed Team New Zealand plenty of time to prepare for their much-awaited hitout against James Spithill's Luna Rossa.
But within seconds it was all over for Team New Zealand as Dean Barker charged into the startbox from the left a little too eager and instantly copped a penalty for turning in front of Italians.
"The dial up is one of the tough ones," Barker said.
"The umpires are looking to see if the guy entering from the left is doing enough to keep clear. I felt pretty strongly that we were doing enough and weren't on a collision course. Looking at the footage I still don't believe it was a justified decision but you have to live and die by what the umpires decide. It is their call."
From there it was always going to be a hard road back for the New Zealanders especially in the light, fluky breeze.
Team New Zealand opted for the left at the start and had good pace over the line.
They crossed over the Italians and headed out to the right early however that appeared to be their undoing as the Italians capitalised on the better breeze on the left.
Luna Rossa rounded the top mark 10 seconds ahead and powered off down the run despite getting their headsail wrapped around their spinnaker.
The New Zealanders remained in touch but the Italians managed to gain off a gybing duel late in the leg and extended their lead to 26 seconds at the gate.
New Zealand closed it up again on the second beat.
Luna Rossa forced Team New Zealand outside the layline and rounded the last mark 13 seconds ahead.
Down the final beat both teams had their moments out in front in the shifty breeze.
In the final quarter New Zealand got their nose in front but were never far enough ahead to complete their penalty turn.
Moments from the line Team New Zealand dropped their spinnaker and tried to luff the Italians but did not quite have the speed to do and the Italians sailed over their bow.
Team New Zealand completed their penalty turn and crossed the line 48 seconds behind.
"We sailed a good race," Barker said. "The boat was going well, we came back at them a number of times. There are certainly some positives we can take out of it."
After eight races Team New Zealand have six wins and two losses. They face Victory Challenge and BMW Oracle Racing tonight in their final two round one races. Chris Dickson's BMW Oracle Racing remain the only unbeaten team.