Luna Rossa helmsman James Spithill outmaneuvered counterpart Dean Barker after a long dial-up to start on the left after entering on starboard, although the Kiwis appeared to be content with the right side.

The ITA-94 yacht started on the opposite side from where it entered for the third straight race.

The Italians held a 4-second advantage across the start line as the NZL-92 boat was forced to tack and started slowly.

But Emirates Team New Zealand took advantage of its position to use a strong right-hand wind shift to take the lead and increase it until finishing 1 minute, 38 seconds ahead of Luna Rossa.

"We got a pressure and a wind shift that came through ... and it gave us instant control," Emirates Team New Zealand strategist Ray Davies said.

Emirates Team New Zealand can clinch its place in the America's Cup against defending champion Alinghi with two more wins in the best-of-nine challengers series.

"We didn't imagine being 3-0 up," Davies said. "We can't relax at all, these guys are more than capable of coming back and winning a few off of us."

The water was calmer than Saturday's race with the wind down, so the race committee pushed the spectator fleet back to ensure it didn't become choppy and affect the first marker.

Emirates Team New Zealand can clinch its place in the America's Cup against defending champion Alinghi with two more wins in the best-of-nine challengers series.