KEY POINTS:
Team New Zealand got further affirmation their black boats are the benchmark yesterday when arch-rivals Oracle Racing took their new yacht USA98 sailing for the first time on the Hauraki Gulf.
Sporting a fuller bow similar to Team New Zealand's boats, the BMW-sponsored USA98 appears a little more
slab-sided and narrower than the syndicate's first 2007 generation boat, USA87. Last year, Oracle skipper Chris Dickson described USA87 as the "most innovative America's Cup-class boat built".
But it is believed USA87 has had major surgery - having its bow and stern replaced and keel shifted.
Now, USA98 appears to be more in line with Team New Zealand's boats.
The key similarity is more volume in the bow, despite there being differences in the profile.
But it's thought USA98 and NZLs 84 and 92 are similar under the water.
Of the new boats in Valencia last year, NZL84 looked the best all-round package. Among its standout features was its fuller bow - a concept it is understood Luna Rossa has already adopted.
Oracle Racing sailing manager Craig Monk described his team's new boat as different but not radical.
"It is a boat designed for Valencia. It doesn't have a bowsprit, which is the most obvious thing from our last boat. It is a slimmer version, and the mast is in a different place.
"It is different from USA87 and is different from anything Team New Zealand have got and Alinghi and Luna Rossa, from what we have seen."
Monk said they planned to sail the new boat at full strength today against trial horse USA71, which was built for the last Cup. Team New Zealand have been racing their two new boats against each other since October.
"The boats do take three months to build," said Monk. "We chose the latter of the two options, where Team New Zealand are probably covering themselves from the last Cup and have got their boats out early.
"We are very confident with our boat-building, our design and construction that we can be on a tighter deadline," Monk said.
As to modifications on USA87, Monk said: "We are doing some modifications to the boat. That is a natural process for your first boat. It is no big deal. These days, these teams are big enough to sustain any sort of modification, and even during the round robin it can happen as well.
"We saw it with Alinghi last time. They were modifying constantly. You can't stand still, for sure."
When asked about the impact of such modifications, Monk said: "It is fractionally more weight because you are cutting something off, maybe, and adding some. But not really, you could draw a symmetry with race cars, they are modifying every race as well."
RACE RECORD
In the 10 races the syndicates have sailed against each other in pre-regattas
WINS
Team New Zealand 6
Oracle Racing 4
CROSS START LINE FIRST
Team New Zealand 4
Oracle Racing 5
*one even start
LEADING AT 1ST WINDWARD MARK
Team New Zealand 6
Oracle Racing 4