Team New Zealand afforded themselves only a few brief moments of celebration after securing yet another berth in an America's Cup match, with their focus remaining firmly on the immense challenge that lies ahead.
The Kiwis closed out their challenger series against Artemis on Tuesday morning (NZT) with a comprehensive win in race seven to set-up a rematch against Jimmy Spithill's Oracle.
Skipper Glen Ashby hailed the wider team's contribution to the team's win, but insisted there was still plenty to be done before they take on the American boat in race one on Sunday (NZT).
"It's an amazing feeling to be here," Ashby told Newshub.
"Massive effort from the whole team… we wouldn't have been on the water today if it wasn't for them. They really won this regatta for us.
"Artemis certainly gave us a great run for our money, but were under no illusion of the battle that's we've got coming up over the next few days.
"We have to keep pushing really hard with our sailing technique and our starting, and also improvements on the boat."
The Swedes proved formidable opponents and at times pushed the New Zealanders to the limit, which had only added the team's resolve, said Ashby.
"They pushed us really hard, and we've had some of the best racing that we've ever had in our lives.
"They’ve made us more battle-hardened."
It's been a constant work in progress for the Kiwi team, who opted to remain in New Zealand over the summer in order to fine-tune their boat rather than head to Bermuda early to compete in practice races against their rival crews.
"We just haven't had a lot of race experience compared to a lot of the other teams in that boat-on-boat environment," admitted Ashby.
"The other teams have been based up here and racing against each other for quite a few months now.
"For us arriving a few weeks ago, the last racing we really did was against our chase-boat back in Auckland, so it doesn’t really count.
"We've got a lot to learn….but the good thing about these young guys is that they don’t need to be told twice."
Helmsman Peter Burling echoed his teammate's sentiments while warning against reading too much into their round-robin losses to Oracle earlier in the regatta.
"We stayed home in the summer and we tried to create a really fast boat, that was the compromise to not do as much sailing against other boats," said Burling.
"It feels like now we're really catching up on that and almost getting ahead.
"Obviously the first couple of races against those guys were pretty tight.
"We definitely feel like we've improved a lot since then, both as a sailing team and also the hardware we've got on the boat."
Neither would engage in too much talk of the chance for revenge against Oracle after their stunning collapse in 2013, but they also couldn't deny that a win would taste that much sweeter after the pain of four years ago.
"I think the whole of New Zealand would very much want the same thing I want, and that’s to bring the America's Cup back," said Ashby.
"Obviously we were so close last time…hopefully lady luck will be shining on us this time around."
As for tonight's celebrations, they could be fairly muted according to Burling.
"I think we'll be taking it pretty easy.
"It's been a pretty hard road to get here and all of us have had a fair few bruises and are pretty tired.
"We'll definitely be looking forward to an easy day tomorrow."
Newshub.
