Oracle Team USA have won the America’s Cup. Emirates Team New Zealand came second by a time of 44 seconds at the race in San Francisco.
Led by skipper Jimmy Spithill, Oracle Team USA won by the score of 9-8. Spithill also won the cup in 2010, raising the trophy in Valencia, Spain, where he was the youngest ever skipper to triumph in the competition – at 30 years old.
He commented on the final race as follows:
“It was a fantastic race. We wouldn’t have it any other way.
“We came from behind, the guys showed so much heart. On your own you’re nothing, but a team like this can make you look great… We were facing the barrel of a gun at 8-1 and the guys didn’t even flinch.
“Thanks to San Francisco, this is one hell of a day.”
The double sail boat had been managed by the crew, to the point where it could hydrofoil upwind at 30-32 knots.
The speed was necessary as Oracle Team USA needed every advantage for their comeback. On Wednesday 18th September, Oracle Team USA trailed the series 8-1. Incredibly, Oracle Team USA picked up the eight consecutive victories needed to claim victory, despite Team New Zealand resting on match point all week.
The team won 11 races in all, to score the 9 points required for victory penalties for their first two victories, imposed by the International Jury.