The boat finished ahead of the New York yacht club entry America II, a considerable achievement that made the sailing community stand-up and take notice that the New Zealand challenge was serious.

Skippered by Chris Dickson, the crew included: Brad Butterworth, Ed Danby, Simon Daubney, Brian Phillimore, Mike Quilter, Tony Rae, Jeremy Scantlebury, Kevin Shoebridge, Andrew Taylor and Erle Williams.

In the Semi's she swept French Kiss 4 races to nil, and reached the Louis Vuitton Cup Finals, where she lost to Dennis Conner and Stars & Stripes 87.

The New Zealanders sailed competitively, and ended up winning the event in the protest room, achieving victory over the Japanese entry Bengal (previously the Bond syndicate's Australia III).

In competition, New Zealand Challenge had another outstanding effort, and progressed through the regatta to the finals of the Louis Vuitton Cup where they faced Paul Cayard and the Italian syndicate of Il Moro di Venezia.

The result of the protest was that Team New Zealand was docked one of its race wins (bringing the series score back to 3–1) and was required to remove the bowsprit.

Managed by Peter Blake, the team was skippered by Rod Davis and NZL 20's crew included tactician David Barnes, bow Alan Smith; mid-bow David Brooke; mast Barry McKay; pit Denis Kendall; floater Mark Hauser; grinders Andrew Taylor and Sean Clarkson; genoa trimmers Kevin Shoebridge and Grant Loretz; mainsheet traveler Don Cowie; mainsheet trimmer Simon Daubney; and running backstays Tony Rae and Peter Evans.