Greg Pearson: Poor starts could end Team New Zealand's America's Cup hopes

OPINION: Despite moving to within one win of a place in the America's Cup, Team New Zealand's starting issues were hard to ignore on the second day of racing in the Louis Vuitton Challenger Final.

The Kiwis trailed Artemis Racing around the first mark in all three of this morning's races in Bermuda, making it six out of six for the Swedes in the best of nine series so far.

The weather played a part today - Artemis were set up with their heavy air boards which gave them the edge on the reach from the start line to the first mark, and Team NZ helmsman Peter Burling admitted he was happy to give up the early running to offsider Nathan Outteridge.

"Our main goal was just to get to the bottom mark in good shape and chip away from there," Burling told the media in today's post-race press conference.

"Today was about trying to generate opportunities upwind where we were fast, and we were really pleased we could do that."

The Kiwis went with their light air boards, giving them the edge as the conditions lightened.

Artemis edge Team NZ at the start of race four, which they went on to win. Photo credit: Photosport
Artemis edge Team NZ at the start of race four, which they went on to win. Photo credit: Photosport

But if the boats had been set up the same, would Team NZ have had the pace they're relying on to peg back the opposition?

"It's no secret if you win the start it makes life a little easier."

"We're definitely learning a lot about how to come from behind but at the same time we're making some pretty big improvements in the starting.

"We're not too worried if we are behind because we have so much confidence we can run them down. But we'd obviously prefer to be in front."

Burling's background in the Olympic 49er class is fleet racing, not the one-on-one match racing we're seeing in Bermuda, and there's no dedicated tactician on the New Zealand boat.

They still need one more win to get past Artemis, and the Swedes have shown they can come back after reeling off four straight wins to knock out Team Japan.

If Team New Zealand do get into the America's Cup against Team USA, their starts will have to be a far cry better than they've been in the series against Artemis.

With experienced match racer Dean Barker now helping Team USA as a training partner you can expect the defenders to be aggressive in the start box.

Keeping in mind the Americans scored a pair of wins over the Kiwis in the round robin, Team New Zealand can't afford to give their opposition an inch at the starting line.

Greg Pearson is a sailing correspondent for Newshub.