Team New Zealand. Photo: America's Cup
America's Cup defenders New Zealand returned to racing and notched an easy win after repairing the damage sustained by their AC75 boat when they were hauling it out of the water two days earlier.
New Zealand's foiling mono-hull was badly damaged while being craned ashore after the first day of the competition to decide who will challenge them next month for the oldest international sporting trophy, known as the "Auld Mug".
All team members were safe after Thursday's drama and the Kiwi shore crew worked round the clock to get back onto the Mediterranean off Barcelona, missing only one day of racing.
Team New Zealand said in a statement their boat was sailing as it always had following the repairs and they were happy with its performance, although they did not get to complete a full race as their opponents France had equipment problems.
Chief executive Grant Dalton on Friday described how the team had cut a broken section out of the bottom of the hull and said the repair process was like "building a new piece of boat".
The America's Cup boats are craned ashore after racing and sit on huge cradles which keep their hulls supported and their huge foils and deep rudders protected. They are kept in hangar-like "sheds" where the teams can work on them.
As defenders, New Zealand do not have to qualify for the head-to-head final, but are participating in the round-robin series which represents an early stage in the contest to decide which of five potential challengers faces them in October.
Britain, France, Italy, Switzerland and the United States have all entered crews hoping to become the challenger in their high-tech "boats, which travel above the water on hydrofoils.
The 'double round-robin' series, sees all the teams compete against each other twice and will decide which four of the potential challengers go through to the semi-finals, which start in mid-September.
Louis Vuitton Cup standings
Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli 3 wins 0 losses
Ineos Britannia 2-1
American Magic 2-2
Orient Express Racing Team 1-2
Alinghi Red Bull Racing 0-3
Team NZ 2-1 (races don't count toward the Louis Vuitton Cup standings)
- Reuters
