Cup Experience

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Dramatic crew change for Oracle Team USA

America's Cup tactician John Kostecki

Oracle Team USA removed tactician John Kostecki from their lineup following Race 5. Four time Olympic gold medalist Ben Ainslie replaced Kostecki. OTUSA had been leading Race 5 when a tactical mistake at the first leeward gate set the stage for the Kiwis to take the lead about halfway up the beat to windward.

Photo: Balasz Gardi

America's Cup gold medal winner Ben Ainslie

Bringing four time gold medal winner Ben Ainslie on board as tactician did not end Oracle’s problems – they lost both Race 6 and Race 7 on Thursday 12 September.

Photo: Gilles Martin-Raget

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Near capsize in Race 8

Emirates Team New Zealand nearly capsized in Race 8 on Saturday 14 September. A tacking duel between ETNZ and Oracle Team USA produced the most dramatic moment of the America’s Cup. ETNZ, on port tack, tried to tack in front of OTUSA but did not have enough hydraulic pressure to change the camber in their wing from port to starboard. OTUSA, with right of way, needed to make a quick maneuver to avoid the Kiwi boat, resulting in a penalty on the Kiwis. OTUSA took over the lead and extended to take the win by 52 seconds – over 1,000 meters.

Video: ACTV

ETNZ skipper Dean Barker explains how they nearly capsized

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Score: New Zealand 6 – USA 0

Emirates Team New Zealand has won six races and scored six points. Oracle Team USA has won two races but that just erased their two penalty points, bringing them to zero.

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

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Oracle Team USA penalized for cheating

Just days before the start of the America’s Cup Match, Oracle Team USA was penalized two points and one of their key sailors, wing trimmer Dirk de Ridder, was excluded from all activities in the 34th America’s Cup. The two point penalty means the first two races OTUSA wins in the America’s Cup Match will not count in the points. OTUSA will need to win 11 races to score the nine points needed to win the America’s Cup. Emirates Team New Zealand is unaffected – they still need to win nine races to score nine points.

The penalties were given because the team sailed with illegally modified AC45’s during the AC World Series. Read a more detailed explanation here.

Photos and more info here.

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Oracle Team USA lost Race 5 after leading

America's Cup OTUSA made tactical errors that allowed the Kiwis to gain the lead

Tactical mistakes and poor tacking cost the race. After a strong start gave them the early lead, OTUSA made tactical errors that allowed the Kiwis to gain the lead and extend to win easily. A foiling tack at the downwind gate turned out to be a poor choice, as it gave New Zealand a chance to take the lead.

America's Cup OTUSA showed her speed to take a solid lead at Mark 1.
OTUSA showed her speed to take a solid lead at Mark 1.
America's Cup At the downwind gate OTUSA attempted a foiling tack, turning 180° and losing most of their speed
At the downwind gate OTUSA attempted a foiling tack, turning 180° and losing most of their speed. Later on the upwind leg they made tactical errors that caused commentator Gary Jobson to describe the boat as “total confusion.”

More photos and an analysis of the race here.

Video of Race 5 highlights.

https://youtu.be/lLZcceYGC88