Emirates Team New Zealand showed why it is the two-time defending America's Cup champion after jumping out to a 2-0 lead over INEOS Britannia in their first-to-seven-wins final on Saturday.
As the defender, the Kiwis sat out the playoff rounds with a guaranteed spot in the final. But the yacht skippered by Peter Burling showed no rust despite a month of zero competitive sailing and New Zealand comfortably won both opening races.
New Zealand led the first race from the start and finished 41 seconds and more than 400 meters ahead. The second race featured a pair of lead changes until Taihoro found more wind midway through, crossing 300 meters and 27 seconds in front of Britannia.
New Zealand is trying to win the Auld Mug, the oldest trophy in international sport, for a third straight time. The Brits have never won it in its 173-year history.
"This is what we have been working three years for," New Zealand helmsman Nathan Outteridge said after winning the first race. "We have been a long time in preparation watching everyone else racing, so it was great to get a fantastic start and control that race. Let's just keep our eyes focused forward."
