With no margin for error, ORACLE TEAM USA staved off elimination in the currently running 34th America’s Cup by reaching the victory in Race 12 by 31 seconds.
34th America's Cup - ORACLE Team USA vs Emirates Team New Zealand, Race Day 9 © ACEA / PHOTO RICARDO PINTO
Team skipper Jimmy Spithill did a tremendous job in the pre-start, gaining a late hook to leeward of Emirates Team New Zealand about 20 seconds before the start and forcing the Kiwis to tack away to stay clear and avoid a foul.
Spithill took his crew onto the racecourse 6 seconds ahead of the Kiwis and then led wire-to-wire to force another race.
Emirates Team New Zealand leads the series 8-2 and needs one more point to win the America’s Cup. ORACLE TEAM USA needs to win seven consecutive races to retain the trophy it won in 2010.
34th America’s Cup Standings (first to 9 points wins)
• Emirates Team New Zealand – 8
• ORACLE TEAM USA – 2
