AMERICA'S CUP UPDATE: USA takes a time-out
Oracle uses postponement card to 'regroup'On Wednesday (local time) on San Francisco Bay, Challenger Emirates Team New Zealand won Race Five of the 34th America’s Cup convincingly, and immediately Defender Oracle Team USA used its one and only “postponement card” to try and put a halt to the Kiwi’s winning ways by postponing the second race of the day and heading for shore.
Both teams are allowed one postponement card and may use it only to postpone a day’s second race, regardless of the reason. This means that Race Six will be held on Thursday.
Emirates Team New Zealand leads the series 4-0 after the victory. The winner of the 34th America’s Cup will be the first team to win nine points. For the Kiwis that means five additional race wins and for Oracle Team USA it means 10, due to a penalty imposed by the International Jury.
"We need to go back and regroup. We feel they have an edge on us at the moment, especially upwind," said Spithill. "We need to do a bit of work here and we’re going to play the card, strategically, and hopefully improve in time for the next race."
The defender won the start of Race Five, coming off the start line to windward of the Kiwis and leading at the first two mark roundings.
But Emirates Team New Zealand sailed past the defender sailing higher and faster to complete the leg 85 seconds sooner, and going on to win convincingly.
"It wasn’t just upwind performance. There were a couple of mistakes there, tacking as well, which is something we need to address," said Spithill. "We need to up our game. We’re not going to hide from that. We’re going to go away and do what we can to be ready for the next one."
"We’re very pleased to take the win," said Kiwi skipper Dean Barker. "It’s difficult because those guys are getting off the line well and leading at Mark 1, so they get to dictate a little bit what’s going on down the run. We’ll work to improve that and try to get around Mark 1 in front a couple of times.
"But the boat’s going very well upwind," Barker continued. "The guys are doing a really, really good job with tacking and maneuvers, and we’re taking some nice gains. We can’t be ahead all the time, and with that we have to make sure we’re close enough to keep the race alive."
Racing will continue on Thursday with Races Six and Seven.
For more information go to: www.americascup.com
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