Oracle Team USA have won the last race in day three to keep the pressure against the more favoured Emirates Team New Zealand. The New Zealand team won the first race by over two minutes, taking their lead 4-1 in the first to seven series.
The American team still hopes to keep the Cup and do the ‘three-peat’ but the Kiwis were having none of that. The Kiwis had cancelled the early lead of their rivals and then went on to maintain a strong hold.
Skipper Jimmy Spithill, who has been sloppy in this series, sailed into favourable weather ahead of his rivals. Then he dialed down and sailed towards the Kiwis but skipper Peter Burling quickly took evasive action against the direct sail. The evasive action upset the course of the Kiwis so the Americans took the lead to win that race.
The clean sweep of 3-0 seemed like it would start to change. Hopes became reawakened of a possible upset, even if the Kiwis eventually win. The five day rest period seemed to have done the Americans a lot of good. The team preferred stability over speed. They preferred to be faster in a straight line even though they could have better manoeuvered.
The USA team was penalized for starting too early but then another penalty for failing to give way wrecked them. The Kiwis went on to win, making it 4-0. Spithill said the team had to work very hard during the break to get their sole win so far. He adds that the team can add more wins tomorrow.
Burling praised the Oracle team, saying they were “a little bit better.” He said it was very nice that the Americans are giving them the battle they seek. Despite the win, the Emirates team are by far the favourites to win the series.