America's Cup - Super Sunday for Oracle Team USA

by Oracle team USA on 23 Sep 2013 At the 34th America’s Cup, Oracle team USA skipper Jimmy Spithill, along with tactician Ben Ainslie and strategist Tom Slingsby, guided the team to two more wins on Sunday in San Francisco. The crew defeated Emirates Team New Zealand to record their sixth and seventh wins of the match.

'What a fantastic day – really good racing under a lot of pressure,' said Spithill. 'Tom and Ben did a fantastic job when we had some key decisions to make. A day like today it really is all about the tactics. They were really under a lot of pressure a few times, but they kept their cool. Everyone stayed calm and sailed two great races.'

A clean start to race 14 saw Oracle team USA leading around the first mark. The teams split the course as they rounded Mark 2 with only 24 seconds separating them. As the third gate approached, the crew made an extra tack to take advantage of the wind on the offshore side of the race course. Oracle Team USA was able to stay between New Zealand and the mark and hold on to win by 23 seconds.

Race 15 began in similar fashion as Oracle team USA lead early and was first by 1 minute around the second mark. With the breeze shifting, New Zealand gained ground on the third leg. But, Oracle Team USA maintained the lead to cross the line 37 seconds ahead.

'It’s been a whole team effort, it hasn’t been about any individuals,' Ainslie said. 'It’s been about everyone come together, improving the boat, working well as a team, and working out how we can get ahead of the opposition. Whether through making the boat faster or sailing better, I think we’re doing that. Having the momentum now makes the guys believe that they can go out there and win, and that we can defend the America’s Cup. That’s a fantastic place to be.'

Racing continues on Monday with race 16 scheduled for 1:15 pm PT. Emirates Team New Zealand maintains the overall lead at 8-5 in points and 8-7 in wins. The winner of the 34th America’s Cup is the first team to win nine points.

'We sailed a clean day,' said off side trimmer Rome Kirby. 'It was two tough races, and now we’re back at it tomorrow.'

Race 14 Data
Course: 5 Legs/10.22 nautical miles
Elapsed Time: OTUSA – 33:47, ETNZ – 34:10
Delta: OTUSA +:23
Total distance sailed: OTUSA – 12.8 NM, ETNZ – 13.1 NM
Average Speed: OTUSA – 23.31 knots (27 mph), ETNZ – 22.58 knots (26 mph)
Top Speed: OTUSA – 36.60 knots (42 mph), ETNZ – 35.41 knots (41 mph)
Windspeed: Average – 11.4 knots, Peak – 14.9 knots
Number of Tacks/Jibes: OTUSA – 8/12, ETNZ – 8/12

Race 15 Data
Course: 5 Legs/10.22 nautical miles
Elapsed Time: OTUSA – 27:34, ETNZ – 28:11
Delta: OTUSA +:37
Total distance sailed: OTUSA – 12.0 NM, ETNZ – 11.9 NM
Average Speed: OTUSA – 26.23 knots (30 mph), ETNZ – 25.40 knots (29 mph)
Top Speed: OTUSA – 41.80 knots (48 mph), ETNZ – 40.35 knots (46 mph)
Windspeed: Average – 12.9 knots, Peak – 18.0 knots
Number of Tacks/Jibes: OTUSA – 7/7, ETNZ – 7/9

Standings
Emirates Team New Zealand – 8
Oracle Team USA – 5