America's Cup, Ineos wins two consecutive races. New Zealand leads 4-2

A wind of revenge blows over the Barcelona race course and Ineos Britannia wins not one but two consecutive races against Emirates Team New Zealand, bringing home two very useful points that keep the 37th America's Cup match open. Of course the tie needed two more but the differences in the field appeared much less evident than in the first two days. Sir Ben Ainslie's grin became more serene, as serene as that of one of the most sanguine but also effective champions in sailing history can be. After all, it was also hard to imagine that there would not be a reaction, a competitive push to sound the redemption.

In the first of the day's two races in the pre-start skirmishes the New Zealand boat fell off the foils rather disastrously: by the time it managed to fly again the British had a lead of almost a mile. It's not like them, but it is a symptom that even the cold Kiwis have some pressure on them, in fact between races they tinkered with the sails in a trial-and-error shuffle that didn't show their usual certainty.

In the second race, Sir Ben Ainslie showed off all his wisdom by practising an unusual scheme that turned the tables on Peter Burling, taking risks in going from chased to leader, managing to start in the lead. He then led for the entire race, always keeping the few seconds he needed to control his opponent and finish first. Says Ben Ainslie: "Great effort from the whole team today, our performance is back even though we still have a way to go. Every day we improve and I thank those who help us to understand how to go stronger.

For his second Dylan Fletcher it is the first victory in the America's Cup. Cool, unenthusiastic, he says: "These two wins were really needed and it is a good day for us. On the day off, we trained hard and continue to work hard to continue the positive streak." The Kiwis realised that, as Nathan Outteridge says: "the English have a good boat and they are great champions, we were expecting a battle".

It's back to the field on Friday with a two-race programme. The British are hoping for today's conditions: stiff wind and waves. It is mainly the wave that is putting the Kiwis in trouble.