Cup Experience

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Score: New Zealand 8 – USA 2

Oracle needs to win seven in a row.

Oracle dominated the start of Race 12, then showed speed with upwind foiling. If that had been the first race, we would assume they would win 9-0. But now ETNZ only needs to win one of the next seven races to take the Cup.

Nine points are required to win the America’s Cup Match.

America's Cup Score: New Zealand 8 - USA 2
On the upwind leg OTUSA showed game-changing speed with upwind foiling over 30 knots.
America's Cup Score: New Zealand 8 - USA 2
The view from under OTUSA’s boat. They are on port tack, riding on the starboard daggerboard’s winglet. You can see the size of the winglet on the port daggerboard which is raised and out of the water.
America's Cup Score: New Zealand 8 - USA 2
In the pre-start ETNZ seemed to be defending well, leading back to the line with 23 seconds to go.
America's Cup Score: New Zealand 8 - USA 2
Approaching the line at 18 seconds to go, with both boats on starboard tack, OTUSA has “hooked” ETNZ, by getting an overlap to leeward. This gave OTUSA right of way, so they could luff ETNZ, forcing them to slow and tack onto port.
America's Cup Score: New Zealand 8 - USA 2
OTUSA’s luff forced ETNZ to tack onto port, heading away from the starting line. OTUSA is slow after the luff, but they bear away towards the line, build speed and lead on the reach to the first mark.

Dominating the start and foiling upwind – enough for a comeback?

If this had been the first race of the AC Match, most people would assume that OTUSA would dominate the Match and win 9-0. But now ETNZ takes the Cup if they win one more time, and OTUSA needs to win seven more, in a row. The comeback seems possible, but unlikely…