New Zealand have enjoyed a solid start to the Dubai leg of SailGP, sitting second in the standings, after the weekend's first three races.
Nearly two months after finishing fourth at Cadiz, Peter Burling's crew finished sixth, second and fourth on the first day, second only to Australia.
"It was an up-and-down day," said Burling. "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."
With regular driver Tom Slingsby absent on parental leave, chief executive Jimmy Spithill stepped in to lead Australia and produced the results, finishing third, first and third again to top the standings.
On 21 points, New Zealand are level with Canada, led by Kiwi Phil Robertson, who impressed with a win and third to open the regatta, before finishing eighth in the finale.
New Zealand and Canada are both five points behind Australia, while holding a one-point lead over Great Britain and France.
On the championship leaderboard, Australia is first with 43 points, seven clear of second-placed Denmark. New Zealand are sixth, 13 points off the Aussies.
To be sailed on Sunday night (NZ time), day two will see two more fleet races, before the podium race ultimately decides the victors.
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