KEY POINTS:
Now the breeze has finally settled in Valencia, Team New Zealand's Tony Rae says it is all about getting in front and not making any mistakes.
The crew claimed their first big scalp in the round robin competition yesterday, beating Luna Rossa by 36s.
It was an important
win for the New Zealand team, who have recovered from their ordinary showing in round one and are growing in confidence.
Emirates Team New Zealand were scheduled to have raced Victory Challenge overnight. A win for them and for Chris Dickson's BMW Oracle Racing over Desafio Espanol would set the scene for a titanic battle between Team New Zealand and Oracle tonight to determine the top challenger and the right to chose a semifinal opponent.
While Team New Zealand picked up a comfortable win over Luna Rossa yesterday, Dickson's team made a mockery of Mascalzone Latino, who lost the race in the pre-start after they were early over the line.
Rae said Oracle were still sailing well, as expected.
"We are not thinking any different. We thought today was going to be a close race and it was. With the steady breeze, whichever boat gets in front and doesn't make any mistakesis going to be hard to get past."
While neither Team New Zealand nor Oracle are talking up their desire to nab the number one spot, the reality is it does provide one with the chance to choose their semifinal opponent.
"For sure, we are out there to win," Oracle tactician Gavin Brady said.
"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. We are here to win the America's Cup. To do that, first you have to win the Louis Vuitton Cup. Winning the round robins is neither here nor there, really."
However, he did concede that winning was always important in maintaining a positive momentum.
"Momentum is a big part of this game, but so is stamina. Keeping that fighting spirit going day after day is a big part of it."
Having notched up a seventh win in round two, Brady had plenty of praise for his team's race boat USA98.
"The great thing about USA98 is that it has high modes and low modes. It accelerates well. It doesn't stall. I have never seen it all come together so nicely in one package.
"Chris Dickson drives the boat extremely well. He is dialled-in and confident. That relationship is very special. The whole crew feels it. We look after the boat very carefully ... we haven't seen the best of USA98 yet."
In their match against Luna Rossa, Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker won the start.
They 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, relishing the moderate 13-knot breeze. The Kiwis rounded the top mark 17s ahead, an advantage they extended over the next three legs.