Both teams met for the first time since July 2007 when they last raced in the final race of the 32nd Americas Cup where Alinghi managed to retain the cup by 1 second.
A controlling start by the kiwis was thrown away as Dean Barker misjudged his time on distance to the start line allowing Alinghi to pass between him & the committee boat giving them the power of the right.
Alinghi gained at every stage of the race in high wind conditions as the running backstay alarms were getting a work out. At one stage Emirates Team New Zealand's Gennaker halyard gave way almost causing a potential disaster but the grinders got their work out and hauled it back in.
Alinghi managed to put a convincing win over the home team but only because the start was lost.
Race 2 was meant to be underway this afternoon but was called off due to high winds on the Waitemata.
The series has been cut down from a best of 7 to best of 5 races to be able to finish in time for tomorrow's pre planned dead line.
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