Team UK have dug in to kickstart a comeback against Luna Rossa in the America's Cup Challenger Selection Series finals on the Waitemata Harbour today.
Team UK and Luna Rossa start race five of the Prada Cup finals in Auckland. Photo: Photosport
The Italian sailing team had opened out a 5-0 lead after winning the first race of the day by one minute 20 seconds, but Team UK fought back to take the second.
With the breeze increased slightly from race five, the British were first into the pre-start zone and able to control the start more readily.
They took a narrow advantage at the start, using left hand end of the line to push out to the extreme left hand side of the course.
Team UK made the most of the good start, leading after each of the six legs and opening out from an eight-second margin at the first gate to a 32-second lead at gate four.
Luna Rossa cut the lead to just nine seconds at the fifth gate, but the British maintained control to the line to win their first race of the best-of-13 series by 14 seconds.
Team UK skipper Sir Ben Ainslie said to get one back against the Italians was the tonic they needed.
"In 12-13 knots the boats are pretty even, but below it we struggle. We know it, they know it but that's the challenge."
Luna Rossa co-helmsman Jimmy Spithill said Team UK's victory was well-earned.
"Full credit to INEOS for that one, they sailed a great race," he said.
The Italians need just two more wins to progress to challenge Team New Zealand for the America's Cup next month.
There are two more races scheduled for tomorrow on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour.
