‘Cautious’ TNZ pulls out of practice race

Team New Zealand say they suffered no damage after hitting debris and withdrawing from America’s Cup practice racing in Bermuda.

The latest drama came in a clash with Britain’s Ben Ainslie Racing on the Great Sound yesterday.

With Peter Burling having again got the better of Ainslie in a pre-start jostle, the Kiwis were enjoying a lead heading towards the top mark for the final leg when they felt a tap on one of their rudders.

Having broken a rudder early last week and also suffered considerable damage after being rammed by Ainslie a couple of days later, Team New Zealand were taking no chances just three days out from the start of the regatta.

Blair Tuke was sent overboard for an inspection as they abandoned the race as a precaution.

‘‘Blair went over and had a look at the foils and everything. We couldn’t see any damage,’’ Team New Zealand’s performance coach Murray Jones told Fairfax Media from Bermuda.

‘‘We pulled out of the race but we continued with a bit of testing for the rest of the day. It was just being cautious. We had a good day today, we were very pleased with today.

‘‘Every day’s a lot of learning for us at the moment, so we are making good progress day by day.’’

There have been repeated concerns about sea turtles and pollution presenting dangers to the flying catamarans, especially the expensive - and limited - foils and as well as the rudders.

The six boats practice racing and testing yesterday were operating at the higher levels of their speed range in brisk winds.

The Kiwis had earlier cleaned out strugglers Team France, whom they line up against when official Cup racing starts on Saturday (8am NZ time).

The latest incident continued the mixed buildup for Team New Zealand who have had limited practice racing.

Meanwhile, in other practice racing on Wednesday, Oracle beat Team Japan but lost to Artemis Racing. The Japanese later beat the Swedes.

That continued to point to an even regatta, according to Oracle tactician Tom Slingsby. ‘‘We had a few issues against Artemis. They got out in front and we couldn’t make a pass,’’ Slingbsy said. He felt the starts could prove vital given the similar speeds being shown. ’’If you can win the start and sail cleanly without mistakes, even if there’s a slight boat speed edge to the other team, you’ll be hard to beat.’’

He felt Artemis Racing, Team Japan, Team New Zealand and Oracle were all showing good speed.

‘‘The team that sails the best from that group will win the race. But it will be close,’’ he said. ‘‘I think it’s going to be exciting ... no one is going to walk away with it in my opinion.’’