America's Cup: Kiwis no competition as Alinghi takes lead

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Team New Zealand's 10-race winning streak in the America's Cup was doomed before the Kiwis even got close to the first buoy.

The two-time defending champions were forced to withdraw after their boat broke down twice less than 20 minutes into the opening race of the series yesterday, handing the victory to the challenger, Alinghi of Switzerland.

Water poured into the cockpit of the 80-foot sloop, the end of the carbon fiber boom shattered and a jib flapped wildly as the Kiwis' winning streak dating to 1995 came to a shocking end.

Alinghi sailed alone on the last five legs of the six-leg, 18.5-nautical mile course to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-nine America's Cup.

It was strange sight as Alinghi crossed the finish line on the mostly empty Hauraki Gulf.

With the strong breeze still kicking up whitecaps, Alinghi sailed the downwind final leg with a jib instead of a spinnaker, hoping to avoid any breakage.

Team New Zealand boss Tom Schnackenberg watched from a chase boat and didn't immediately know what caused the breakdowns.

"As far as the mood goes, I'd say the team would be annoyed as much as anything," Schnackenberg said. "Breakages can be repaired and the boat could probably be turned around in half an hour, but there will be no problem coming out and racing tomorrow."

With the breeze gusting to 26 knots, NZL-82's troubles started when the end of the boom broke 10 minutes after the start, keeping the New Zealanders from fully controlling their mainsail.

The jib blew out a few minutes later. The wounded black boat officially pulled out 25 minutes after the start, and a chase boat came in to begin the hour-long tow back into Auckland.