Peter Burling, the Emirates Team New Zealand helmsman, admits that Wednesday’s postponement of racing proved to be a blessing in disguise for he and his team-mates.

The Kiwis dodged a bullet when racing was called off because of strong winds just 24 hours after their yacht suffered considerable damage when it nosedived in race four of their best-of-nine Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Challenger Play-off Semi-final against Land Rover BAR.

“We are really glad that day wasn’t sailed because the boat was not quite ready,” the Olympic gold medal-winner and former World Sailor of the Year said.

“It definitely would not have been in the sort if shape as it was today, that’s for sure, and I’m really thankful we didn’t get racing.

“To be able to close it out today was a bit of pleasure for them [shore team] and it gives them the chance now to finish off all the little details before the finals.

“We sailed the shifts really well and kept the boat in the modes it should be in — and full credit to all the guys. It’s been a massive push by our shore team to get us back out on the water with a boat that’s in as good as shape than the one we’ve got.

“This is definitely a little road on the way to our goal and we are definitely here to try and win the next series, and then to try and bring the Cup back to New Zealand.

“That’s definitely what we’ve come here to do; that’s our goal for ourselves.”

Team New Zealand moved a step closer to their ultimate goal after defeating Land Rover BAR 5-2.

However, their day did not go without incident, as their leeward daggerboard malfunctioned during the pre-start of the day’s opening match.

“We’re still not quite sure what happened in that pre-start, why the leeward daggerboard came up,” Burling said. “But it’s definitely something I think we dealt with really well.”

Team New Zealand will meet the eventual winner of the other semi-final between Artemis Racing and SoftBank Team Japan, which will be decided today, weather permitting.

Artemis, the Swedish challenger, lead the series 4-3 with two matches remaining, having come from 3-1 down.

“We are watching a really interesting battle unfold between Artemis and Softbank,” Burling said. “Both of them are out there sailing incredibly well, so we’re under no illusions that we are going to be in for a good fight in the final.

“But we are really happy with the way how the boat is going at the moment and really happy to have it back in one piece after that capsize a couple of days ago.”