Burling, Kiwis win 2 more to take 3-0 lead in America’s Cup

Peter Burling and Emirates Team New Zealand are threatening to sail — and cycle — away with the America’s Cup.

The 26-year-old Burling calmly steered the Kiwis’ fast 50-foot catamaran to two more dominating victories against Jimmy Spithill and two-time defending champion Oracle Team USA on Sunday to remain undefeated in the showdown on the Great Sound.

Although they’ve won four races, the Kiwis lead Oracle 3-0. Because Oracle won the qualifiers, the challenger started the 35th America’s Cup match with a negative point.

Burling, an America’s Cup rookie who has won Olympic gold and silver medals with grinder Blair Tuke, steered the Kiwis to victories of 49 seconds and 1 minute, 12 seconds on the turquoise waters of the Great Sound. Team New Zealand needs to win four more races to return the Auld Mug to the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.