Team New Zealand has taken a 4-2 lead in the America's Cup challenger final series after winning two of three races in Bermuda this morning.
Team New Zealand must win the series against Artemis to be confirmed as the challenger for the America's Cup. Photo: ACEA 2017 / Ricardo Pinto
New Zealand looked comfortable for most of the final race today before a bad manoeuvre with the finish line in sight nearly undid them.
Sweden's Artemis came screaming in, seemingly from nowhere, but New Zealand grabbed a photo finish in the end.
Look back at RNZ's live coverage of the race as it happened.
Artemis protested the course steered by New Zealand helmsman Peter Burling in the final few seconds of the race, but the umpire ruled the New Zealand catamaran was not at fault.
Artemis Nathan Outteridge on the photo finish and 4-2 down #americascup2017 @rnz_news pic.twitter.com/dj5oGqURDg
— Todd Niall (@toddniall) June 11, 2017
Team New Zealand lost all three starts in a day of changing fortunes.
Artemis won the day's first race by 15 seconds. After an even start, the Swedish team snuck ahead on the first leg and held on for a comfortable victory, despite one occasion where they appeared to lose control of their boat.
Team NZ Peter Burling on photo finish and 4 2 #AmericasCup2017 @rnz pic.twitter.com/CLRAWh2ks6
— Todd Niall (@toddniall) June 11, 2017
Team New Zealand then bounced back, winning the second race after the Swedes had to temporarily retire in the fifth leg with daggerboard problems.
The racing will continue tomorrow, with Team New Zealand one win away from confirming its status as the challenger in the America's Cup final.
