Please select your home edition
Edition
Zhik 2024 December

BMW Oracle Racing has won the 33rd America's Cup - USA's Wing is King

by www.Sail-World.com on 15 Feb 2010
BMW ORACLE Racing on fire BMW Oracle Racing Photo Gilles Martin-Raget http://www.bmworacleracing.com
In 2003 Ernesto Bertarelli and his New Zealand 'tight five' led by Russell Coutts and Brad Butterworth, sailed a monohull Alinghi to beat the New Zealanders to win the 31st America's Cup. In 2007 the Swiss syndicate won the 32nd series.

Today the Golden Gate Yacht Club's challenger, Larry Ellison's BMW Oracle Racing USA-17, blasted to victory in the 2010 series. History was made in this 33rd America's Cup for the first time ever; a Deed of Gift Challenger has won the America's Cup.

On Friday BMW Oracle dominated the first race after a spectacular start. Today was an even more exciting day of racing, right from the starting box.

Alinghi were penalised for an early entry into the box. BMW Oracle Helmsman Jimmy Spithill push Bertarelli and his Alinghi crew around the box. BMW Oracle was away fast heading left under pressure, while Alinghi was slow off the start, going towards the right.

BMW Oracle tacked to port back into the centre of the course, she was 350 metres ahead a mile and half across the course. BMW Oracle had more pressure and extended her lead to 500 metres.

Alinghi tacked back onto starboard on a shift, in what would be the first cross in the 2010 America's Cup. Loick Peyron was now on the Alinghi helm. BMW Oracle 'blinked' and they tacked away. Alinghi found the shift and was in the lead by 75 metres.

Alinghi was sailing much better than in race one. It seemed she had a more powerful main and possibly had the leeward hull loaded with water. Alinghi's lead extended to 500 metres as she headed towards the top mark, she made big gains on the right with a 15-20 degree right hand shift.

Alinghi was helmed better with her windward hull steadily stitting three to four metres above the water. Her lead widened to 600 metres, but the breeze clocked back left and the lead reduced to 200 metres.

The pressure was increasing as the two boats headed towards the top mark, with another 10 degree shift to the right. There was then a shift back to left as the two boats closed on the first rounding mark.

BMW Oracle was first to the port lay line, while Alinghi kept sailing to the mark on starboard but her lead was down to 50 metres, then a puff on the right.

Alinghi crossed ahead of BMW Oracle by 100 metres. It was a very slow tack by Alinghi and BMW Oracle ran down her rival to round 28 seconds ahead.

Down the first reach BMW Oracle began to extend her lead; 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000 then to 1100 metres.

Larry Ellison's BMW Oracle's USA-17 was blasting down the leg, consistently two knots faster and her lead was soon out to 1600 metres. She hit a top speed of 33 knots down the 13 nautical mile reach and extended out to 2100 metres.

Down the second reach with the sun setting, Alinghi tried everything but she could not claw back that lead. Doing her penalty turn at the finishing line, Bertarelli crossed 5 minutes 26 seconds after USA-17.

After 15 years away from the USA, from 1995-2003 in New Zealand and then in Switzerland, the America's Cup has returned to America.

According to Italy's largest sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, Mascalzone Latino will become the Challenger of Record and the 34th America's Cup match will take place in Newport, Rhode Island in 2013.

Alessandra Pandarese, Mascalzone Latino's legal counsel, is reported to currently be aboard Larry Ellison's private yacht Rising Sun, in order to present the challenge.

BMW Oracle's helmsman James Spithill. ‘An Awesome event. To sail two races with no gear issues speaks volumes for the shore crews.

'Going up the beat suddenly we had a boat race; obviously we did not see the shift going as far to the right. It was a really nice lay line call from Mateo (Plazzi) and JK (John Kostecki)' concluded Spithill.

BMW Oracle owner Larry Ellison was smiling broadly as he said ‘I am very proud to be part of this team.'
Rolly Tasker Sails 2023 FOOTERPantaenius Sail 2025 AUS FooterVetus-Maxwell 2021 v2 FOOTER

Related Articles

2025 Formula Kite Europeans preview
A critical moment in the evolution of the sport at Urla, Türkiye The 2025 Formula Kite European Championships are set to bring high-stakes competition and fresh challenges as the world's top riders take to the waters of Urla, Türkiye.
Posted on 3 May
52 SUPER SERIES Saint-Tropez Cup Day 4
No racing Saturday so Gladiator leads into last day in Saint-Tropez Saint-Tropez in the South of France produced yet more frustration with next-to-no wind for the penultimate day of the 52 SUPER SERIES Saint-Tropez Trophy regatta.
Posted on 3 May
Alive makes clean sweep in the Melbourne Osaka Cup
They had their sights on breaking current race record of 21 days, 12 hours, 41 minutes, 13 seconds The Reichel/Pugh 66 Alive, skippered by Duncan Hine and co-skipper Glenn Myler, has made a clean sweep of Line Honours, AMS, PHS and ORCi in the 2025 Melbourne to Osaka Cup.
Posted on 3 May
60th Anniversary Congressional Day 3
Crucial races to decide Semi-Finalists The race to the semi-finals at the 60th Long Beach Yacht Club Congressional Cup is going down to the wire. With just two flights remaining in the double round robin stage, four teams are locked in a high-stakes battle for the final semi-final slots.
Posted on 3 May
Antigua Race Week Day 5
Steady tradewinds return The final day of racing at Antigua Sailing Week saw a return to steady winds of 10-12 knots that gradually built to 13-14 knots, accompanied by plenty of tropical sun.
Posted on 2 May
5.5m Alpen Cup at Fraglia Vela Riva Day 2
The Jean Genie extends lead The Jean Genie (GBR 43, Peter Morton, Andrew Palfrey, Ruairidh Scott) extended their lead to 11 points after three more races on Friday at the 5.5 Metre Alpen Cup at Riva del Garda, Italy.
Posted on 2 May
21st Sandberg PalmaVela Day 2
Ten new classes joined the action Ten new classes joined the action on Day 2, bringing the total to 11 divisions for this edition.
Posted on 2 May
Port Stephens a global sailing destination
The region's pristine waters have once again welcomed thousands of sailors and spectators The NSW Government is charting the course for Port Stephens to become a global sailing destination when Newcastle Airport's upgraded international terminal opens in August 2025.
Posted on 2 May
52 SUPER SERIES Saint-Tropez Cup Day 3
World champions Gladiator lead into the weekend after a second day with no wind The standings remain the same at the 52 SUPER SERIES Saint-Tropez Sailing Week after a day with insufficient wind to race.
Posted on 2 May
Transat Paprec Day 13
Cap Saint Barth has lit the fire! Competitors in the Transat Paprec - a race organized by OC Sport Pen Duick - and those familiar with the charts have become accustomed to it: Cap St Barth has been at the forefront since the start.
Posted on 2 May