36th America's Cup: Emirates Team New Zealand win America's Cup World Series in Auckland

Emirates Team New Zealand, the defender of the America's Cup, won the America’s Cup World Series on Saturday in Auckland.

The home unit took victory on the third day of racing as all teams build towards next year's PRADA Challenger Selection Series and then the 36th America's Cup match.

The victory almost completes Emirates Team New Zealand's competitive warm-ups on a high note, with only the PRADA Christmas Race to come, for Peter Burling and the sailing team on Sunday.

Emirates Team New Zealand are automatically part of the 36th America Cup match in March so will not have to worry about the gruelling PRADA Challenger Selection Series, which will determine their challenger.

The final race day of 2020 - the PRADA Christmas Race - will take place on Sunday and be live on Sky Sports Mix from 2am.

Moving winds (and courses)

Every race day, the course on which the teams will sail is decided by Race Management. Then, spectator crafts are allowed to be moored at a safe distance, along the course.

There are six designated areas in the Hauraki Gulf and Waitemata Harbour which offer a wide range of race course options and ahead of racing on Saturday, the Regatta Director was forced to make a late change of course due to the shifting winds.

As a result, a fleet of 1,500 spectator boats needed to be moved, which created a delay to the start of racing.

Positivity for the defender

Emirates Team New Zealand went into the day with a block of positive work behind them and maintained that with a victory over New York Yacht Club American Magic in Race Ten.

The results meant that the final race of the day against Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli had everything to play for in terms of the standings, and both outfits attacked the contest with vigour.

At the start, the Italians showed their intent by forcing the home side into an area of the start zone which the sailors have nicknamed 'coffin corner' and that meant Emirates Team New Zealand were down by 32 seconds at the first gate.

The conditions forced both boats to come off their foils, Emirates Team New Zealand first followed by Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, and it then became a race as to be the first to takeoff again. The Kiwi outfit won that race and, as they have done all week out on home waters, showed their speed.

Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli never gave up though, and pushed their opponents tirelessly. However, a 16- second victory ultimately secured the PRADA America's Cup World Series for Emirates Team New Zealand.

Challengers for INEOS TEAM UK

The British team - INEOS TEAM UK - had two contests on Saturday, one against Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli and the other against New York Yacht Club American Magic.

With the light airs on the Hauraki Gulf, something that they were aware would present issues for them, it was another difficult day for Sir Ben Ainslie and the team.

"It was an incredibly tough day because, as we knew going into it, our light air performance is not good enough and not where we want it to be," Ainslie noted.

"That gets highlighted in these boats because if you are in the water and not foiling the losses are huge.

"Whilst we know that is a weakness it does not make it less frustrating. We are working on trying to resolve it by the start of the Challenger Series next month.

"As competitive sailors taking a beating like that is pretty hard to take so we will go away, regroup, and keep our heads up. The conditions tomorrow are expected to be similar so we will try to learn more about how we can improve."

Watch every moment of the America's Cup challenge, live on Sky Sports. Coverage continues with the PRADA Christmas Race on Sunday from 2am on Sky Sports Mix, with a 9am repeat.