Team New Zealand put in another phenomenal performance at the Louis Vuitton Cup finals yesterday to take their lead over Luna Rossa to 3-0, setting the Italians a long, hard road to get back into contention.

Luna Rossa fought the start well yesterday and crossed the line four seconds ahead but within the first few minutes, Team New Zealand had chewed away the advantage.

The Kiwis then just kept stretching out the margin and finished 98 seconds ahead.

Team New Zealand - desperate to win the finals so they can challenge Alinghi to try to win back the America's Cup - sailed a very conservative race again, covering Luna Rossa's tacks and gybes even when there were 350 metres between them.

The New Zealanders have extended their winning margin day after day in the best-of-nine series so Luna Rossa will be glad for a day off today to re-group.

The Italians had a stellar semi-final, powering past BMW Oracle 5-1 and leading at every turn, but in the finals they have trailed around each mark.

Luna Rossa crew members have said there seems to be no difference between the two teams' boats but yesterday New Zealand simply zipped past them despite some very neat and elegant manoeuvres on the Italian boat.

"We just have to look at what happened today when we come on shore, have a think, and come out (tomorrow) with the same attitude as today, just go one-by-one," said Luna Rossa skipper Francesco De Angelis.

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