34th America’s Cup - Cup battle continues

by Oracle team USA on 19 Sep 2013 Today, on another breezy day on San Francisco Bay in the 34th America’s Cup, one race was completed the other postponed. Oracle team USA battled down the race course but was unable to pull ahead of Emirates Team New Zealand in Race 11 of the regatta.

'We’ve got to approach to win, regardless of the score line,' said skipper Jimmy Spithill. 'That was our plan today. Unfortunately, we didn’t get a race win in the first one, but tomorrow we’re going to be out there trying to do the exact same thing. I think the guys are sailing the boat well. Ben [Ainislie] and Tom [Slingsby] are doing a great job in the back, and we’ve just got to get out there and get wins.'

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In Race 11, New Zealand took the lead at the first mark rounding, holding on in front down the second leg. Oracle team USA split the course at Gate 2 and gradually pulled into position to take the lead. As a tactical battle ensued on leg 3, the lead changed back to give New Zealand the advantage. Spithill gained ground on the fourth leg but was unable to move ahead, and Oracle team AM USA crossed the line 15 seconds back.

With the teams ready to get the second race underway, wind speeds reached the limit and Race 12 was postponed. The ebb tide in the San Francisco Bay was registering 3.1 knots – the strongest of the regatta – and held the wind limit at 19.9 knots.

'I think you just need to keep believing,' said tactician Ben Ainslie. 'We are obviously in a very difficult position. But, we are a strong team and we can win races. We’ll keep working on what improvements we can make, and we will go out tomorrow, get the guys fired up and race as hard as we can.'

Race 12 will now take place on Wednesday at 1:15 pm PT. New Zealand holds an 8-1 advantage in points in the match, with the winner of the 34th America’s Cup needing nine points.

Race 11 Data
Course: 5 Legs/10.16 nautical miles
Elapsed Time: ETNZ – 23:41, OTUSA – 23:56
Delta: ETNZ +:15
Total distance sailed: ETNZ – 11.7 NM, OTUSA – 11.5 NM
Average Speed: ETNZ – 29.88 knots (34 mph), OTUSA – 29.04 knots (33 mph)
Top Speed: ETNZ – 44.57 knots (51 mph), OTUSA – 42.70 knots (49 mph)
Windspeed: Average – 15.4 knots, Peak – 18.0 knots
Number of Tacks/Jibes: ETNZ – 10/6, OTUSA – 10/8

Standings
Emirates Team New Zealand – 8
Oracle team USA – 1