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NEWS
AMERICA'S CUP: Sudden death final
Scene set for thrilling final winner-takes-all race tomorrowORACLE TEAM USA has forced a winner-take-all final race for the 34th America’s Cup tomorrow after posting a stunning come-from-behind win in Race 18 earlier today (September 25).
Kiwi skipper Dean Barker started the race to leeward of rival skipper (Australian) Jimmy Spithill and held the lead around the first turning mark. The Kiwis kept the lead by seven seconds at the leeward gate, but ORACLE TEAM USA had speed to burn on the upwind legs and simply sailed past the Kiwis.
ORACLE TEAM USA led by 57 seconds at the windward gate beginning the penultimate leg and finished with a 54-second advantage. It was the American's seventh win on the trot and 10th win overall, with the team docked two points due to earlier cheating infringements.
Tomorrow’s Race 19 is scheduled to start at 1:15 PM PT (about 6.15am EST) and the winner of that final race will take home the 34th America’s Cup.
It's the closest and most thrilling finish to an America's Cup in sailing history and with the big foiling cats sailing well beyond 40 knots in front of massive crowds, the world's oldest yacht race has been well and truly resurrected.
34th America’s Cup Standings
(First to 9 points wins)
Emirates Team New Zealand – 8
ORACLE TEAM USA – 8
Race 18 Performance Data
Course: 5 Legs/10.11 nautical miles
Elapsed Time: OTUSA – 22:01, ETNZ – 22:55
Delta: OTUSA +:54
Total distance sailed: OTUSA – 11.7 NM, ETNZ – 11.9 NM
Average Speed: OTUSA – 31.92 knots (37 mph), ETNZ – 31.23 knots (36 mph)
Top Speed: OTUSA – 45.79 knots (53 mph), ETNZ – 47.57 knots (55 mph)
Windspeed: Average – 19.3 knots, Peak – 21.8 knots
Number of Tacks/Jibes: OTUSA – 7/7, ETNZ – 10/6
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Written byBoatsales Staff
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