The SailGP fleet in action on Lyttelton Harbour in Christchurch. Photo: Photosport
Team New Zealand have returned to SailGP action in style, sharing second place after the first day of the latest SailGP regatta in Dubai.
The Peter Burling-skipped New Zealand syndicate made a slow start in patchy winds but found their form late in the day on the Persian Gulf to sit five points behind an Australian crew with Jimmy Spithill at the helm.
They are level with Canada on 21 points, one ahead of Great Britain and France in the first leg of the series in nearly two months.
Team NZ made small errors in the first race to place sixth but bounced back to place second behind Australia in race two after an excellent start.
In a shortened third fleet race, they fought their way out of the pack to place fourth behind winners Great Britain.
"It was an up and down day," New Zealand driver Peter Burling said.
"We had a few too many mistakes, but some good decisions, too, and overall happy to end the day second on the leaderboard.
"We found ourselves at the back a couple of times but managed to get ourselves back in the race. We were trying to take the day and be in control of our own destiny rather than a passive approach. You saw that bring us forward a few times, but set us back a few others."
New Zealand were sixth of 10 teams overall coming to Dubai, which is hosting the sixth round of the 13-leg series.
Spithill, who stepped in for this regatta in place of expectant father Tom Slingsby, was his usual confident self after a strong set of results on day one.
"You can definitely see this is a benchmark team in the league," he said.
"They are a very slick team. I am just trying to get in there and not make too many mistakes. It is a great group and a great atmosphere. I didn't expect to be leading after how things went in practice. I had an absolute shocker and spent a fair bit of time last night going through and getting myself back up to speed again."