Team New Zealand's skipper says their latest race win at the America's Cup in San Francisco has been a valuable confidence boost.
Dean Barker and his crew need just two more wins to secure the trophy.
After almost capsizing on Sunday, then having Sunday's second race abandoned when they were well ahead, Team New Zealand was roundly beaten in this Monday morning's opening race.
They recovered to win the second race by 17 seconds, to give Barker and his crew a 7-1 race lead.
Two more races are scheduled for Wednesday (New Zealand time).
Skipper Barker acknowledged being completely out-sailed in the first race and said it was good to bounce back in the second.
Oracle is looking much stronger after controlling the first race of the day and keeping up with Team New Zealand on the upwind legs where it had often struggled.
Barker said Oracle is clearly becoming a tougher opponent.
Best so far
A yachting reporter in San Francisco says the races on day 10 America's Cup featured the best sailing of the competition so far.
Jeffrey Schaub OF KCBS News saID the skills demonstrated on the water on Monday (NZT) were the most impressive yet.
He said the teams have learnt from their mistakes, such as Team New Zealand's near- capsize yesterday.
Mr Schaub said the teams have had enough time on the water to fix the kinks in their boats, and have more confidence in their tactics.
The challenger was keen to resume its winning ways after almost capsizing in race eight on Sunday, giving Oracle Team USA a second win in the series. The catamaran reached an angle of almost 45 degrees.
Team New Zealand was leading race nine on Sunday when it was abandoned because the wind exceeded the race limit.
Barker put Sunday's near-capsize down to a handling error and said he was happy to be leading the next race before it was called off.
Oracle Team USA started the series down two points because of a penalty for cheating.
Team New Zealand needs two more wins to win the Cup, while Oracle needs eight to retain it.
