America's Cup - Oracle Team USA to regroup, return to racing Thursday

by Oracle Team USA on 11 Sep 2013 America's Cup racing resumed on Tuesday in San Francisco for Oracle Team USA. With winds blowing upwards of 19 knots, skipper Jimmy Spithill and crew took the early lead in the first race of the day before Emirates Team New Zealand moved ahead and claimed the win.

'We can win these races, we just need to be very smart about the way we go about it. We also need to make sure we sail the boat well,' Spithill said. 'We just have to go away and learn from it, that’s why we played the card. It was obvious we needed to really regroup and have a good look at the video. We’ll get out there tomorrow and work on a few areas of our game. We can beat these guys, we’ve shown we can.'

In the day’s first race, fifth of the regatta, Oracle Team USA was the faster boat off the line, rounding the first mark 4 seconds ahead. Shortly after rounding Gate 2, Spithill split the course and Emirates Team New Zealand pulled in front, extending the lead up the windward leg.

Between races, Oracle Team USA opted to use its 'postponement card.' Each team is allowed one card during the regatta. With the day’s second race postponed, Race 6 will now take place on Thursday.

'It was a team decision – a collective one. We were all in agreement,' Spithill said. 'We need to take a few steps and we’re not going to hide from that.

'We’ve got a lot more races,' he continued. 'As a team we’ve come back from many challenges, a lot of adversity. This doesn’t worry us, the team’s not flustered. We need to work hard now and tomorrow, and come out ready for another fight.'

New Zealand holds a 4-0 lead in points and a 4-1 advantage in wins due to a penalty imposed by the Jury. Oracle Team USA will score its first point in its third victory.

The team plans to train on the Bay on Wednesday, and will return to the race course on Thursday. Racing on Thursday is at 1:15 pm PT and 2:15 pm PT – races No. 6 and 7 of the match.

In the U.S., the America’s Cup Finals will be broadcast live on the NBC Sports Network.

Race 5 Data

Course: 5 Legs/10.27 nautical miles
Elapsed Time: ETNZ – 22:45, OTUSA – 23:50
Delta: ETNZ +1:05
Total distance sailed: ETNZ – 11.4 NM, OTUSA – 11.5 NM
Average Speed: ETNZ – 30.21 knots (35 mph), OTUSA – 29.17 knots (33 mph)
Top Speed: ETNZ – 46.94 knots (54 mph), OTUSA – 44.93 knots (52 mph)
Windspeed: Average – 20 knots, Peak – 24.1 knots

Standings

Emirates Team New Zealand – 4
Oracle Team USA – Oracle Team USA