Team New Zealand helmsman Peter Burling admitted his attempt to draw a penalty at the final mark of a drama-filled race against Artemis was a desperate ploy to try to salvage a win.
The Swedish boat looked to be on course for a narrow victory, but after a tight rounding at the final mark Burling issued a protest, claiming their opponents hadn't kept clear.
The race marshalls agreed and, much to the clear frustration of crew aboard Artemis, they were forced to allow the New Zealanders a free passage across the finish.
"We didn’t have too many options," said Burling.
"We were trying to create that port/starboard incident at the bottom mark….it was the only way we could try to get back into it.
"We thought it was pretty tight but we're really happy with the outcome. Like any sport, you’ve got to play to the whistle."
Artemis helmsman Nathan Outteridge admitted he was "shocked" when he saw the blue protest light come on, believing they'd given their opponents the requisite space.
"We knew it was going to be a tight bottom mark," said the Australian.
"We set ourselves up to lay the middle of the gate so that if they had an overlap we could give them enough room."
"It was pretty obvious from our position that we were going to make the cross, so we still gave them plenty of room to make the jibe and went around the outside."
Racing legalities aside, both were abuzz at the intensity of the contest itself which was a back and forth affair, the Kiwis capturing the lead on the first mark after the Swedes were penalised for an early start.
The advantage switched on a startling nine occasions as both jostled for the cleaner air, ultimately Artemis proving they had the faster boat at the higher end of the wind range.
"It was an incredibly fun race," said the Olympic gold medallist.
"We couldn’t buy a shift on the upwind and we just kept fighting out way back into it to try to give ourselves a chance at that bottom mark."
Team NZ skipper Glenn Ashby praised his crew's composure, saying "both teams were giving everything for each other and nothing to the opposition."
While Burling stopped short of admitting his team had made a fortuitous escape, he did confess they had plenty to work on before the two square off again on Wednesday morning (NZ time).
"We definitely weren't sailing as good as we should upwind and in the corners. We've got a lot to go back and review on now."
Newshub.
