Team New Zealand's missed out on the podium in the opening round of the Extreme Sailing Series in Singapore.
The kiwi syndicate went into the final double points race of the regatta with a chance of finishing second, but slipped to fourth overall after incurring a penalty.
Skipper Dean Barkersaid they struggled in the last race.
"We had a little gear issue just before the start which we tried to repair, and just didn't really get our heads into the race as well as we should have."
They incurred a penalty, with Barker saying: "And then unfortunately that was that.''
"It's the first time we have raced together in five months, and our first time back on the circuit since 2011, and for sure we wanted to get a podium here, but couldn't get away with it. We're still rusty and have to focus our thoughts, but we'll get there."
Alinghi won the regatta ahead of Omani boat The Wave and Swiss team Realstone in third.
