Spithill strangely quiet

Loose lips sink ships, as the saying goes.

But at the end of the first day of racing in the America’s Cup match, Jimmy Spithill’s were fairly tight.

The Oracle Team USA skipper is usually keen for a bit of verbal sparring, but after two losses to Peter Burling and Team New Zealand yesterday (NZ time), he was very circumspect.

‘‘Clearly we weren’t sailing at our best, but we also had our opportunities,’’ said Spithill. kept cool under enormous pressure from Spithill and got the jump on an even start and accelerated over the top of Oracle. Getting to mark one first allowed the Kiwis to

‘‘In both races there were chances, but at the end of the day, [Team NZ] made fewer mistakes. The good news is we’re only one back.’’

The odd scoreline is a result of Oracle’s involvement in the challenger series, where they won the round-robin qualifiers. That meant the team that made it to the Cup match against them would have to start on -1, and need to win eight races to claim the spoils in the first-to-seven series. control the race once again.

Aotearoa is a rocketship

We knew the latest ‘‘Black Magic’’ had some magic to her but she looked deadly at times in these conditions. Burling didn’t just he extended it and was largely allowed to sail his own race. The statistics all favoured New Zealand in the speed department. A fast boat is the most essential element to winning the America’s Cup. Back it with a good crew and that’s a formula for success.

It’s not over till it’s over

Two impressive wins but the margins didn’t reflect the drama. Another last mark gybing blunder cost the Kiwis some breathing space in the first race. The light airs caused them some heartaches in the second race when Spithill got a massive windshift on the left of the course and made up 90s to almost have his bows touching the stern of New Zealand as they rounded the top mark for the last time. Team New Zealand cleverly recovered from both situations. But they know Spithill won’t go away and these were two early reminders - of his fortitude and that any mistakes can by hugely costly.

Team New Zealand have a design edge

There’s no doubt about it, you’ve got to love those kinky foils. Like the cyclors, they are the most noticeable difference to the uneducated eye when you line Team New Zealand’s boat up against any of their opponents. The foils certainly seem to give the Kiwis added lift and plenty of speed through their turns. Back that up with the endless supply of power from the men on the bikes, and they have plenty to play with. Crucially, Team New Zealand seem to have unveiled their magic ingredients late enough this time to have Oracle struggling to match them.