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Oracle led from start to finish in Race 9

America's Cup Skipper Jimmy Spithill did a masterful job in the pre-start, gaining a position to leeward of Emirates Team New Zealand late in the 2-minute sequence and preventing the Kiwis from entering the racecourse.

Skipper Jimmy Spithill did a masterful job in the pre-start, gaining a position to leeward of Emirates Team New Zealand late in the 2-minute sequence and preventing the Kiwis from entering the racecourse. Spithill and crew led at the first mark by 4 seconds and then sped away from the challenger, gaining time on every leg of the course with their new found boatspeed.

Watch the pre-start:
Video: ACTV

All images below: ACTV

America's Cup The port tack boat, OTUSA, may enter the start box 10 seconds ahead of the starboard tack boat, ETNZ.
The port tack boat, OTUSA, may enter the start box 10 seconds ahead of the starboard tack boat, ETNZ.
America's Cup ETNZ turns to follow OTUSA. Both boats still going away from the starting line.
ETNZ turns to follow OTUSA. Both boats still going away from the starting line.
America's Cup OTUSA starts their turn back to the starting line. The yellow line is the "layline" to the downwind end of the starting line. If you sail below that, normally you would be slow or need to tack twice to get back to the starting line.
OTUSA starts their turn back to the starting line. The yellow line is the “layline” to the downwind end of the starting line. If you sail below that, normally you would be slow or need to tack twice to get back to the starting line.
America's Cup With under 30 seconds to go, both boats are below the layline.
With under 30 seconds to go, both boats are below the layline.
America's Cup There was a strong ebb tide (the blue arrows) that carried the boats back above the lay line.
There was a strong ebb tide (the blue arrows) that carried the boats back above the lay line.
America's Cup The tide has carried both boats back above the layline and OTUSA has control, as the leeward (right of way) boat. With the clock showing one second it's clear both will be late to the line, but in match racing that is not important.
The tide has carried both boats back above the layline and OTUSA has control, as the leeward (right of way) boat. With the clock showing one second it’s clear both will be late to the line, but in match racing that is not important.
America's Cup The gun has gone off - notice that the LiveLine graphics have turned the start line white. Spithill in OTUSA is luffing Barker in ETNZ to hold him away from the line.
The gun has gone off – notice that the LiveLine graphics have turned the start line white. Spithill in OTUSA is luffing Barker in ETNZ to hold him away from the line.
America's Cup Spithill has turned towards Mark 1 and speeds off, over 6 knots faster and well ahead of Barker. ETNZ was never able to recover and OTUSA led the race from start to finish.
Spithill has turned towards Mark 1 and speeds off, over 6 knots faster and well ahead of Barker. ETNZ was never able to recover and OTUSA led the race from start to finish.