America's Cup - Emirates Team New Zealand gains split

by Irene Corosu on 16 Sep 2013 In the 34th America's Cup, Emirates Team New Zealand earned a split of the day with Oracle Team USA after winning a thrilling Race 10 by 16 seconds.

The Kiwis held the lead early in the race, but the defender made a huge charge on the upwind leg and rounded the windward gate with a one second advantage. The two crews split early on the ensuing run and when they came back together it was the Kiwis with starboard advantage and the lead, which they held to the finish. The lead changed hands four times in the race.

Emirates Team New Zealand leads on the scoreboard 7-1, and 7-3 in wins. The winner of the 34th America’s Cup will be the first team to win nine points. For the Kiwis that means two additional race wins and for Oracle Team USA it means eight. Oracle Team USA isn’t credited with its first two wins of the match due to a penalty imposed by the International Jury.

34th America’s Cup Standings (first to nine points wins)

Emirates Team New Zealand – 7
Oracle Team USA – 1

Race 10 Performance Data

Course: 5 Legs/10.02 nautical miles
Elapsed Time: ETNZ – 22:00, OTUSA – 22:16
Delta: ETNZ +:16
Total distance sailed: ETNZ – 11.8 NM, OTUSA – 11.7 NM
Average Speed: ETNZ – 32.25 knots (37 mph), OTUSA – 31.76 knots (36 mph)
Top Speed: ETNZ – 43.01 knots (49 mph), OTUSA – 44.98 knots (52 mph)
Windspeed: Average – 18.3 knots, Peak – 22.3 knots
Number of Tacks/Jibes: ETNZ – 7/7, OTUSA – Americas Cup