KEY POINTS:
With an America's Cup challengers' semifinal berth secured, Team New Zealand are looking to accrue a couple of advantages during their remaining round-robin yacht races.
An easy victory over bottom-of-the-table China Team off Valencia today took Team NZ to second in the Louis Vuitton Cup standings.
It also
guaranteed they would join American leaders Oracle Racing and Italians Luna Rossa in the knockout phase, with the final place yet to be confirmed.
But while their qualification is guaranteed, the big three still have plenty to play for over the last three days of round-robin competition.
All three remain in contention to finish top of the points table and gain the right to choose their semifinal opponents.
Team NZ still have to race Oracle and Luna Rossa, who both beat them in the first round-robin, and Sweden's Victory Challenge.
Oracle tactician Gavin Brady, one of 12 New Zealanders among the 17 sailors on USA98, was low key about the importance of securing the No 1 ranking.
"Psychologically, it would be nice to be able pick your opponent, but really that's just a feel-good factor," he said.
"Whoever you don't pick, you'll still end up racing them later. Race them soon or later -- it doesn't really matter."
But rival strategist Ray Davies said Team NZ were definitely looking to maintain their unbeaten streak in the second round-robin during the "big money races" coming up.
"It would be quite an advantage to be No 1 -- to get to choose your opposition is obviously a nice place to be in," he said.
"For sure, we are going out there to win to try and get the psychological edge as well, of having beaten them in the round-robins."
The match between Team NZ and China Team was the first between the syndicates, the Chinese having forfeited their other scheduled meeting because their boat was undergoing repairs.
CHN95 had the edge in a split tack start, crossing the line four seconds ahead and at the favoured right-hand side.
NZL92 tacked back and gradually drew away in a drag race up the early part of first beat.
By the top mark, the gap was 38sec and in seven to nine-knot breezes Team NZ made further gains over the remaining three legs to end 3min 02sec in front.
The margin of victory was NZL92's biggest of the regatta.
Midbowman Richard Meacham said the crew's aim was to go as smoothly as they could around the course.
"Every time we go round a mark, we need to do it the best we can," he said.
"We did it today with very little pressure in the end, as the afterguard sailed well and we stretched away. We're always trying to learn and the focus now is on in the next few days."
CHN95 trimmer Guillaume Florent said NZL92's speed was decisive.
"We were happy with our start because we won the side we wanted and we got a little bit of distance," he said.
"We played the wind balance well, but they were really fast and we could do nothing to catch them."
Hometown favourites Desafio Espanol kept up their push for the last semifinal spot by downing Team Germany by 1min 8sec.
The result maintained the Spaniards' five-point buffer over nearest rivals Victory.
The two meet tomorrow, and a win for Desafio would put them through.
- NZPA