America's Cup defending champion Team New Zealand and Italian challenger Luna Rossa are tied for two wins everywhere after the third and fourth races in Auckland on Friday.
Under a bright sun but in a light wind of around ten knots, Luna Rossa won the first confrontation with 37 seconds ahead of her rival thanks to a better start and a monohull flying faster upwind than her competitor in the little tunes.
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In front of their public and a slackening wind (8 knots), Peter Burling and his partners reacted in the second regatta of the day.
Edge to edge at the start with the Kiwis, Jimmy Spithill, Francesco Bruni and the Italians were quickly forced to turn, opening up a boulevard for the defending champion towards the first mark, wound up with 9 seconds in advance.
A hazardous jibe by the Italians further inflated the mattress of the New Zealanders, who finally won by more than a minute in advance.
The two crews therefore remain tied 2-2 before the 5th and 6th regattas scheduled for Saturday (4:00 am).
Round 1: Team New Zealand beats Luna Rossa
Round 2: Luna Rossa beats Team New Zealand
Round 3: Luna Rossa beats Team New Zealand
Round 4: Team New Zealand beats Luna Rossa
Remains to be played:
SATURDAY MARCH 13 Rounds
5 and 6
SUNDAY MARCH 14 Rounds
7 and 8
MONDAY MARCH 15 Rounds
9 (if necessary) and 10 (if necessary)
TUESDAY MARCH 16 Rounds
11 (if necessary) and 12 (if necessary)
WEDNESDAY MARCH 17
ROUND 13 (if necessary)
NB1: the first rounds of each day start at 4:12 p.m. local, 4:12 a.m. French, the second rounds at 5:12 p.m. local
NB2: the first team to win seven rounds wins the America's Cup
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