The SailGP F50 catamaran fleet in action in Bermuda Sail Grand Prix in Bermuda. 2024. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The New Zealand SailGP team has extended its lead in the series standings after finishing second at the latest round in Bermuda.
Spain won the final to claim their second SailGP victory, with New Zealand second and Australia third.
It means with three rounds remaining Peter Burling's crew has 77 points, Australia 67 and Spain 65.
The New Zealanders' hopes of making the final looked precarious after a sixth in the fourth round, but they edged out their rivals in race five to qualify.
Spain and New Zealand quickly pulled ahead of Australia in the final, but despite staying within seconds throughout, the New Zealanders could not get past Spain.
Black Foils wing trimmer Blair Tuke said Spain deserved its win.
"As we know in the finals, it's often the boat that leads to mark one that wins. We gave them a good push and had an opportunity to sneak past on the first upwind, but they put together a perfect race from there."
USA SailGP Team capsize during practice for Bermuda Sail Grand Prix in Bermuda. 2024. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Tuke said the New Zealand team was delighted to have sneaked into the final after a tough weekend, with a struggle for form form on the opening day.
"Definitely not our best work, but the team showed a huge amount of skill around the racetrack - boat speed, positioning, manoeuvres were all really good and that enabled us to fight back when we were in the pack."
The next round is in Halifax, Canada in early June, followed by New York and then the grand final in San Francisco.
New Zealand has won four of the ten rounds so far this season with podium finishes in two others.