In the pre-start the Spaniards opted to leave on the right side, closely marking the New Zealand boat which managed to depart in front of Spain at the last moment. The Spanish boat left on the preferred side but more slowly and at the beginning of the upwind leg the New Zealanders were a length ahead. Soon the Spanish boat turned to the right, a manoeuvre which was responded to by the New Zealanders, who had a greater pressure of wind and had already stretched their lead to two lengths.
