KEY POINTS:
The postponement flag came down, Grant Dalton's jacket came off and racing finally got under way in the Louis Vuitton Cup in Valencia.
But that is where the good news ended for Emirates Team New Zealand who were beaten by Mascalzone Latino by 15 seconds after selecting the
wrong side of the course.
After four days of postponements, Team New Zealand's opening race had been a long time coming.
But unfortunately for Team New Zealand fans back in New Zealand, many of whom were channel surfing between the yachting and the Black Caps match against Australia, the race did not pan out the way most had envisaged and resulted in the first big upset of the competition.
Keen to secure the right hand side of the course the Italians punched over the startline a smidgen faster than the Kiwis who seemed happy with the left.
But it was the Italian's weather team who were on the money as the right paid big dividends for the Latin Rascals up the first beat.
The Mascalzone boat ITA99 looked fast upwind, which was not entirely surprising given their performance in the final Louis Vuitton Act where they finished third behind Alinghi and Team New Zealand.
The Italians pulled away from Team New Zealand to lead by a comfortable 29 seconds at the top mark.
Down the first run NZL92, making her race debut, show plenty of power in the light breeze closing the Italians down at the bottom mark.
But despite having the top ranked challenger breathing down their necks, Mascalzone Latino helmsman Flavio Flavini held his cool and rounded eight seconds ahead.p
In a repeat of the first upwind leg the Italians fiercely protected the right.
Team New Zealand came within a boat length or so at times but didn't have the legs or the breeze to steal a run.
Rounding the final mark 29s ahead again, hopes were high that Team New Zealand could repeat their first powerful performance downwind and roll the Italians.
However it was not to be as the crew on Mascalzone Latino sailed a smart race and secured themselves a win and the first upset of the competition. Their delight apparent as the crew shook hands and hugged on the boat.
Emirates Team New Zealand are scheduled to face +39 and Areva Challenge on Saturday night NZT.