The upwind legs were key to winning the America’s Cup

Oracle Team USA expected their slippery aerodynamic shape to give the the edge upwind. They were surprised that Team New Zealand had more speed upwind. Team New Zealand was much faster through the tacks until about Race 8 when Team USA had mastered “roll tacking” – using their foils to lift the bows.

In the early races Team USA was slow through their tacks, pushing a lot of water sideways. By Race 8 they dramatically improved their tacking.

Team USA learned to use their foils to lift their bows in a “roll tack.”